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13th out of 120 books
—
84 voters
Europe and the People Without History: With a New Preface
by
Eric R. Wolf
The intention of this work is to show that European expansion not only transformed the historical trajectory of non-European societies but also reconstituted the historical accounts of these societies before European intervention. It asserts that anthropology must pay more attention to history.
Paperback, 534 pages
Published
December 3rd 1982
by University of California Press
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Nov 06, 2007
Lindsey
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
history buffs or curious readers
Recommended to Lindsey by:
anthropologists
Although there are parts of this book that move more than slow, it is one of my favorite history books of all times. (I'll admit I skimmed a few chapters here and there). It takes the role of telling history in a completely different way- by proposing new ideas as to what history is exactly and what role we as individuals play in it. More than his writing I loved Wolf's ideas and approach. He tries to tell the story of people traditionally forgotten in history- and he makes you feel attached and...more
Over the past four weeks I have looked at various theoretical perspectives (neo-evolutionism, cultural ecology, cultural evolutionism, and cultural materialism) that lie within a larger materialist framework; in reading the principal works of White, Steward, Service, Fried, Rappaport and Harris, I have been exposed to a variety of ways in which the materialist paradigm has been operationalized within the realms of American anthropological theory and practice. A common thread in these works is an...more
This book certainly deserves the label "classic," for two major reasons. First, Wolf effectively threw into question the idea within anthropology and elsewhere that cultures, especially non-Western cultures, are fragmented and static or were fragmented and static before contact with Western "civilization." Secondly, his work represents one of the best anthropological contributions to structural Marxism (Althusser, for example). However, to do so he simply reduces global cultural relations and pr...more
This is a very broad yet detailed look at the history of the past five centuries, and the economic/materialist causes thereof. It combines anthropology with history, closely tying together societal and cultural organization with economic and historical factors.
'Globalization' is not new. Its speed and force have accelerated at an exponential pace since the end of the 20th century, but the very beginnings of this were beginning long earlier.
From 1400 or so onwards, the world, especially that of t...more
'Globalization' is not new. Its speed and force have accelerated at an exponential pace since the end of the 20th century, but the very beginnings of this were beginning long earlier.
From 1400 or so onwards, the world, especially that of t...more
Jul 26, 2007
Naeem
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
dedicated and careful readers
Shelves:
favorite-books-of-a-lifetime
This is a prize winning book that opened the doors for all the anti-eurocentric books that came after. A stupendously good book that ends way to early -- in 1870.
Mar 16, 2012
Aldon Rau
added it
When I picked up this book from the shelf the other day, I got an odd reaction from the adults in the vicinity. My grandfather seemed adamant that it was not appropriate for me; whereas my mother seemed to find my choice acceptable. I doubt my first amendment rights were foremost in her mind, however; her first priority was most likely preventing me from noticing that the dishwasher door was open.
Although eventually I did notice, I first spent several minutes perusing this book in my favorite r...more
Although eventually I did notice, I first spent several minutes perusing this book in my favorite r...more
Feb 18, 2013
Lisa Aldridge
added it
This is one of my favorite books in my library. I appreciate Eric Wolf's research and insights into this topic. because it provides a new perspective, a new way to look at history, people, and cultures, it gives us a new history.
I learned so much from this book. I read it for a class to get a better understanding of the origins of capitalism as it relates to imperialism. It's very accessible and packed full of information.
This is a great book, showing that history is not what happened, but the written, published and disseminated account of what happened.
As far as academic books go, this one is excellent. An interesting theoretical exploration of "history".
This book turns your head around about who discovered what. Imagine Italy without tomato sauce!
Boy was this book DENSE! DENSE I tell you, DENSE! I reckon I got something out of it, but it was just so thick and fact-filled that having to read it in less than a month really didn't allow for much time to fully absorb Wolf's arguments and ideas. DENSE!
An incredibly important book.
The intention of this work is to show that European expansion not only transformed the historical trajectory of non-European societies but also reconstituted the historical accounts of these societies before European intervention. It asserts that anthropology must pay more attention to history.
Excellent, challenging book that attempts to explain the interconnectedness of the world's people after 1400 using the Marxist labor theory of value and "long waves of capitalist development." Full review to come. Thanks, Naeem.
This book was foundational in companion with Ariadne's Thread in my comprehension of world history and helped me make sense of why the world is as it is ecologically, economically, and culturally. A big read.
Probably not worth your time. This titanic tome is very well-researched, and the writing isn't bad, but I don't feel like the author said anything remarkable or interesting.
It's been several years since I read this, but every so often I pick it up and re-read a chapter. It's kind of amazing what Wolf did here, an amazing history of the subaltern.
Certainly one of the greatest academic texts of all time and maybe a candidate for one of the best non-fiction books period.
Changed my world view. Which, granted, may have been narrow.
Very slow read but a lot of usefull information.
Rereading
May 18, 2013
Pernin
marked it as to-read
May 13, 2013
Jenn
marked it as to-read
May 11, 2013
Lotta
marked it as to-read
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Anthropologist, best known for his studies of peasants, Latin America, and his advocacy of Marxian perspectives within anthropology.
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Feb 19, 2013 06:27pm