The Rise of Anthropological Theory: A History of Theories of Culture

About this book

The best known most often cited history of anthropological theory is finally available in paperback! First published in 1968 Harriss book has been cited in over 1 000 works and is one of the key documents explaining cultural materialism the theory associated with Harriss work. This updated edition included the complete 1968 text plus a new introduction by Maxine Margolis which discusses the impact of the book and highlights some of the major trends in anthropological theory since its original publication. RAT as it is affectionately known to three decades of graduate students comprehensively traces the history of anthropology and anthropological theory culminating in a strong argument for the use of a scientific behaviorally-based etic approach to the understanding of human culture known as cultural materialism. Despite its popularity and influence on anthropological thinking RAT has never been available in paperbackuntil now. It is an essential volume for the library of all anthropologists their graduate students and other theorists in the social sciences.