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Cannibals and Kings: The Origins of Cultures
by Marvin Harris
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Vintage (1978-09-12)
ISBN: 0394727002
EAN: 9780394727004
Paperback: 351 pages
Edition: 1st Vintage Books ed
SKU: T070919-6459
Condition: Very Good
Comments: Very good overall condition. Some pen marks, very tight binding. Ships first class same day or next. Enjoy.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
In this brilliant and profound study the distinguished American anthropologist Marvin Harris shows how the endless varieties of cultural behavior -- often so puzzling at first glance -- can be explained as adaptations to particular ecological conditions. His aim is to account for the evolution of cultural forms as Darwin accounted for the evolution of biological forms: to show how cultures adopt their characteristic forms in response to changing ecological modes.
"[A] magisterial interpretation of the rise and fall of human cultures and societies."
-- Robert Lekachman, Washington Post Book World
"Its persuasive arguments asserting the primacy of cultural rather than genetic or psychological factors in human life deserve the widest possible audience."
-- Gloria Levitas The New Leader
"[An] original and...urgent theory about the nature of man and at the reason that human cultures take so many diverse shapes."
-- The New Yorker
"Lively and controversial."
-- I. Bernard Cohen, front page, The New York Times Book Review
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Customer Reviews
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among my cultural anthropology class items
Rating  (5)
Date: 2008-04-25
Reading this in college was my first encounter with an unabashed and uncompromising but completely straightforward examination of certain concepts that most people would find too upsetting to even begin to discuss much less delve into in detail. Whether its for Anthropology class or as part of research into, say, a cannibalism novel, this is a good resource.
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A classic!
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-03-01
Great work in the realm of cultural materialism.
A very good toss into Dr. Harris.
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I Liked It!
Rating  (3)
Date: 2006-11-10
I had to read this book for a class and I was plesently surprised. The author brings up some interesting topics that really make you think.
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Why Read Fiction?
Rating (5)
Date: 2006-08-26
Marvin Harris' "Cannibals and Kings" is one of those classic anthropological, historical studies that makes reading non fiction fun. The phenomenon of solving riddles of humanity with a smile on your face, constantly nodding and saying stuff like "yeah that makes sense" and "damn this guys good" begs the question: Why care about Harry Potter? While Harris is more theatrical and less scientific in nature than predecessor's like Jared Diamond, the sheer wit of his arguments will move you. Furthermore unlike reading most fiction, during "Cannibals and Kings" you really are growing sager with each turn of the page. So if you're looking for a practical understanding of human evolution that's more entertaining than fiction then buy this book.
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A contribution to cultural anthropology...
Rating  (4)
Date: 2005-05-08
5 out of 5 customers found this reveiw helpful
I had to read this book for my introduction to cultural anthropology class last semester. Though I found parts of it to be dry, the work as a whole was eye opening. It does a good job of identifying patterns and evaluating the evolution of civilizations from hunting to aggrerian to imperialist societies, and onward.
However, I felt that Harris took a very naturalistic approach and underestimated the power of free will. He described everything as being systematic and, although he mentions free will in his conclusion, makes the evolution of civilization seem controlled solely by circumstance and necessity.
Nevertheless, he provides a plausible explanation for why civilizations evolve the way they do and why some advance faster or in different ways than others. I recommend this book for those interested in a possible explanation of cultural evolution. For those looking for a more introductory book to cultural anthropology that covers more ground (but is more brief), I recommend "Culture as Given, Culture as Choice" by Van Der Elst.
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