A List of the Best Anthropology Books to Read

If you’re looking for the best anthropology books to read, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered a list of books that cover a wide range of topics within the field of anthropology, including physical anthropology, archaeology, cultural anthropology, and more.

Why Read the Best Anthropology Books

When it comes to understanding human nature, there is no better source than anthropology. Anthropology books can provide insights into the behavior and customs of people from all walks of life, helping us to better understand our own place in society. They can also be entertaining, captivating reads that offer a window into other cultures. Here are some quick benefits showing why you should consider reading the best anthropology books:

1. To better understand human nature: As mentioned, anthropology books can provide valuable insights into human behavior. By understanding other people and the way they think and behave, we can better understand our own thoughts and actions.
2. To learn about other cultures: One of the best things about anthropology books is that they offer a window into other cultures. If you want to know more about a particular culture, reading an anthropology book is a great way to do it.
3. To be entertained: In addition to being educational, anthropology books can also be quite entertaining. If you’re looking for a captivating read, you’re likely to find it in an anthropology book.
4. To expand your worldview: Reading anthropology books can help to expand your worldview. You’ll become more open-minded and understanding of different points of view.
5. To gain a new perspective: Another benefit of reading anthropology books is that they can help you to gain a new perspective. Often, we get stuck in our own way of thinking and fail to see things from other people’s viewpoints. Reading an anthropology book can help you to break out of this mindset and see things in a new light.

Whether you’re looking to better understand human nature or you’re simply interested in learning about other cultures, reading anthropology books is a great way to do it. So, why not pick up one of the best anthropology books today?

Physical Anthropology

1. The Third Chimpanzee by Jared Diamond

In this Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Diamond looks at how humans are uniquely different from other animals, and how we evolved to become the dominant species on Earth. He covers topics like human anatomy, genetics, and physiology, and how we differ from our closest relatives, the chimpanzees.

2. The Man Who Ate His Boots by Anthony Brandt

This book tells the story of the many expeditions that have tried (and failed) to find a Northwest Passage through the Arctic. Brandt chronicles the various obstacles that explorers faced, including starvation, scurvy, and freezing temperatures. He also paints a picture of the indigenous people they encountered. And how the search for the Northwest Passage impacted their lives.

3. The Hot Zone by Richard Preston

This New York Times bestseller tells the story of the Ebola virus, from its origins in Africa to its spread to the United States. Preston covers the history of the disease, the symptoms it causes, and the efforts to contain it. He also interviews those who have survived Ebola, giving readers a firsthand look at this deadly virus.

4. Our Caribbean by Bernard Theobalds

Our Caribbean is a fascinating and exhaustively researched history of the Caribbean islands, from the time of the first Columbus exploration to present day. The author, Bernard Theobalds, does an excellent job of bringing to life the many different cultures. So, that have flourished in the Caribbean over the centuries. As well as the often brutal conflicts between them.

Throughout, Theobalds provides a wealth of fascinating details about the lives of the people who have inhabited the Caribbean, from the wealthy plantation owners to the poorest of the slaves. He paints an amazing, vivid picture of the often brutal conditions under which they lived and worked, as well as the many rebellions and uprisings that took place in an attempt to improve them.

Our Caribbean is a masterful history of a region that has been too often misrepresented or ignored by the world. Kurlansky has done a tremendous service in bringing its complex and often turbulent story to life.

Archaeology

1. Guns, Germs, and Steel

In this Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Diamond looks at how human societies have developed differently around the world based on their geography and climate. He covers topics like the evolution of agriculture, the impact of disease, and the role of technology in human history.

2. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

This New York Times bestseller tells the story of human civilization, from our earliest ancestors to the present day. Harari covers a wide range of topics, including the history of religion, the rise of science and technology, and the future of our species.

3. The Archaeology of Knowledge by Michel Foucault

In this book, Foucault looks at how knowledge is created and how it is used to power over people. He covers topics like the history of the library, the rise of the printing press, and the development of scientific classification systems.

Cultural Anthropology

1. The Elementary Forms of Religious Life

In this book, Durkheim looks at the origins of religion and how it has evolved over time. He covers topics like totemism, animism, and the belief in gods and spirits. He also looks at the role of religion in society. And how it can be used to maintain social order.

2. The Savage Mind by Claude Levi-Strauss

In this book, Levi-Strauss looks at the ways in which humans think and how this affects their behavior. He covers topics like myth, magic, and symbols, and how they are used in various cultures around the world.

3. Theories of Culture in Postmodern Times by Frankenberg

In this book, Frankenberg looks at how the field of anthropology has changed in the postmodern era. She covers topics like poststructuralism, postcolonialism, and feminism, and how they have impacted the way anthropologists view culture.