Books Available for Anthropology Courses (U.S.A.) 1964

Abstract

ANY ATTEMPT TO COMPILE a list of books suitable for use in anthropology courses is fraught with difficulties, perhaps the greatest of which is determining which should be excluded. Many anthropologists will use a particular book not used by anyone else, even in courses that go by the same name. Again, a vast multitude of monographs, ethnographies, and general works on anthropology are available today in paperback form and many instructors prefer to use a collection of these rather than a book written specifically as a text. It is natural, then, that the question arises as to whether such material should properly be included. In order to help solve this problem, a questionnaire on texts in use was sent to the anthropology departments of the 44 institutions listed in the Guide to departmental offerings in the field of anthropology for the year 1962-63, published by the American Anthropological Association. The information received from the respondents, about half of those contacted, was most gratifying and helpful. On the basis of this information, it was decided that for the present collections of readings, reissues of older texts, and ethnographic sketches (when designed for class use), would be included even though in paperback form, but that other paperback books would not be included. This procedure will hold to a minimum duplication with Paperbound Books in Anthropology compiled by Nathalie Woodbury (CA 3:10712; 4:389-404). Although not included in either the present or the Woodbury compilation, attention should, be called to the Bobbs-Merrill series of reprints of anthropological articles, a listing of which can be obtained from The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 4300i West 62nd St., Indianapolis 6, Indiana, U.S.A. Many instructors have found these reprints useful either as supplements to other books or, when a group is used,