Review by Choice Review
Strang (Univ. of Auckland) explores the countless fascinating ways that highly transferable anthropological methodology and perspective are utilized around the world in study and work relating to a wide range of activities, e.g., advocacy, NGOs, globalization, indigenous knowledge, governance, education, business, crime, the arts, museums and cultural heritage, and health and medicine. Unlike other vocational guides for anthropology majors (e.g., Riall Nolan, Anthropology in Practice, CH, Sep'03, 41-0071; John van Willigen, Applied Anthropology, 3rd ed., 2002; John Omohundro, Careers in Anthropology, 1998), this is a well-documented literature review (over 400 references in the bibliography) of cutting-edge work. Strang's excellent writing is interspersed with first-person narratives by practicing anthropologists in and out of the university relating why they chose the field and how their work grew into professions for which they have great passion. For example, Stuart Kirsch's work with the Yonggum in Papua New Guinea evolved into activist anthropology aimed at halting environmental degradation caused by copper and gold mining. Applied medical anthropologist Patricia Hammer worked with NGOs and governmental ministries in Peru and Bolivia and now directs a rural institute promoting indigenous healing knowledge in the Peruvian Andes. The combination of scholarship and personal accounts of practitioners make this book one of a kind. Summing Up: Essential. All levels/libraries. M. Cedar Face Southern Oregon University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
