Assault on Paradise: The Globalization of a Little Community in Brazil, Fourth Edition

by Conrad Phillip Kottak

This is a revision of a highly readable, instructive, and entertaining ethnography for use as a supplemental text in introductory anthropology courses. The text chronicles the rapid social and economic change in Arembepe, a Brazilian coastal fishing village, where the author conducted anthropological fieldwork from 1962 to the present. This revision brings his research up to date with events that have occurred in this community in the 1990's, focusing primarily on the impact of modernization, technology and mass media. This ethnography can be used on its own, or in conjunction with any introductory anthropology text, but works particularly well with, Mirror for Humanity, 2/e (1999) also by Conrad Kottak. The coinciding publication of these two books offers professors the chance to give their students a brief text by a leading anthropologist, along with his most successful ethnography.

Genres: Anthropology, Nonfiction, Brazil, School

222 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Selma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this was an okay ethnography; while, the subject matter in essence is quite interesting, the text quite often ended up being tedious. I really had to push myself to get through certain parts of the book.
This study shows the globalisation that took place in Arembepe, Bahia, Brazil, was really interesting. To see the way that increased tourism changed the lives of those in the town. The role of women within that was interesting, seeing that they took advantage of the increased tourism, from the hippies, and began creating business' to cater to that. Especially when looking at them in comparison to the men, who were not as quick to take that opportunity. This changed the dynamic between the men and the women in town, making it more possible for women to be more independent and the sole providers.
I also thought it was interesting how the town grew from obscurity, having no roads connecting it to the outside world, to a place where people came to find jobs. Also, how that meant less women were in "prostitution".
Overall, this was an okay ethnography, so I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an intensive case study of a (once) isolated little fishing village in Brazil called Arembepe. The Anthropologist who started his undergraduate work there returns every few years to understand the updates and changes within the community, which rapidly gains things like electricity, plumbing, etc, in the sight of a factory (that consequently pollutes the area) and tourism, both brought on by the completion of a highway. The most interesting parts were the stories of Kottak's good friends and "key informants."

[Nacia107]

So far, I'm not too fond of it but then again i have to read it for my cultural anthropology class & I'm not too fond of that class either.

[MICHAEL CLAUSEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in a second hand store on a recent visit to the U.S. Having once briefly owned a plot of land in Arembepe and as a current resident of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, I immediately took an interest in the material. it waa fascinating to learn the history and "progress" of this once small fishing village that has now turned into a suburban retreat for city dwellers. I regret that I unknowingly contributed, even in a very small way, to its destruction.

[Skilty Labastilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

readable story of culture change