Made in Madagascar: Sapphires, Ecotourism, and the Global Bazaar

by Andrew Walsh

Since the 1990s, the Ankarana region of northern Madagascar has developed a reputation among globe-trotting gemstone traders and tourists as a source of some of the world's most precious natural wonders. Although some might see Ankarana's sapphire and ecotourist trades as being at odds with each other, many local people understand these trades to be fundamentally connected, most obviously in how both serve foreign demand for what Madagascar has to offer the world. Walsh explores the tensions and speculations that have come with the parallel emergence of these two trades with sensitivity and a critical eye, allowing for insights into globalization, inequality, and the appeal of the "natural." For more information, and to read a hyperlinked version of the first chapter online, visit

Genres: Nonfiction, Anthropology, School, Cultural, Ethnography, Read For School

161 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 4, 2012

Reviews

[Suzanne Leibee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Anthropology 220...revealing. I am no longer clueless

[Plato · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book for my intro to socio-cultural anthropology.

[Cabot]

Anthro textbook, I have no particular feelings about it one way or another

[Vanessa Sciortino · Rating 3 out of 5]

kindle glitch

so far so good, but kindle won’t let me keep reading unless I left a review with 4 more words

[sara bukowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

i don't know if this counts but i had to read this for my anthropology class and it truly was not that bad! it was really interesting to learn about tourism in madagascar and the effects it has on the people! i wouldn't necessarily recommend this book, but for a little non-fiction, it is not bad!

[Hailey C · Rating 3 out of 5]

(ANTH 195)

[Ichorica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrap up: This book is an eye-opener. During the course of my university studies, I've read a handful of other ethnographies but this remains as one of my favorites. It's easy to navigate through, very thoughtfully written, and concerns itself with a global condition that continues to polarize the rich and poor countries. It is possible that you may have to come to your own conclusions and the question of "how" things come to be this way is not directly answered, but that isn't something that one should look for in an anthropological work anyway.

FULL LENGTH REVIEW ON MY BLOG :3
http://onherbookshelf.blogspot.ca/201...

[Kailer Belliveau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting anthropological view on the saphire mining industry in Madagascar that was also well written. Provides insight on how tourism can be seen as a form of neo-colonialism, and shows the effects of neoliberalism on individual and group livelihoods.

[Kate]

This was a very interesting book! I found that I enjoyed the ecotourism aspects of the book more so than the sapphire trade, but probably because I want to travel.

[Jaimie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable. Kind of sick of phd talk that goes, "I'll tell you about my point later". It's a super interesting ethnography.