Ethnography through Thick and Thin
This collection of essays represents two decades of work, during which time Marcus (anthropology, Rice Univ.) has progressed from skilled ethnographer of Polynesian society to academic superstar. Despite the title, little here could properly be called ethnography. These ten essays are mostly about the business of anthropology and as such are more pertinent to the realms of sociology and intellectual history than to traditional social and cultural anthropology. A nonspecialist would be hard put to find much of interest in these pages. Moreover, the quality of many of these pieces suggests that Marcus has been spreading his considerable talents too thin?they are not carefully written. Nevertheless, Marcus is among the most widely cited anthropologists writing today, and this volume will undoubtedly be in demand, especially in academic libraries.?Glenn Petersen, CUNYCopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.