Subjects:  1. Reference   

Reviews (2)

A useful and timely collection
Despite the fact that, through some oversight, the editors neglected to include any of my own writing in the collection, it is the state-of-the-art in the cultural anthropology of food. I will definitely be using it as a basic text in my food and culture class. The chapters include contributions by many of the best people working in this growing subfield, and they really show how much the field has changed in a relatively short period. It has a good balance of cultural analysis, political-economy and culture history. I plan to supplement it with Lien and Nerlich's "The Politics of Food" collection from Berg, which is more issues-oriented and has more on food safety, the politics of localism, and fast/slow conflicts.

Culture through the lens of food - and vice versa
This book is a collection of essays that were previously published in journals such as "Foreign Affairs" and "journal of consumer culture." The authors are anthropologists, political scientists, and historians among others. Most essays focus on one piece of food item, brand or food related issue (such as McDonalds, green beans, or Mad Cow disease) and examines this issue within the context of a country (such as China, Burkina Faso, or the U.K.) The essays are academically written, but highly readable and they give interesting and unique information about the country as well as the food issue in question within the context of the country. The overall theme of many of the essays seemed to be that food influences culture, and culture interprets food so that the influence is two-way. Some of the articles were fascinating to read. For example, I enjoyed learning about how McDonalds in China was accepted into the local culture, and how its meaning in China is significantly different from that in the USA. I liked learning about the functions served by Indo-Pak grocery stores in Indian communities, of how sushi became a well known product across the world, and how and why French chocolatiers opposed Belgian ones. The most interesting article to me was one about the reactions to genetically manipulated crop in the USA and Europe, and how these reactions affect those in developing countries in adverse ways. Even if I did not know anything about the country in question, the book gave sufficient background information about the country and the issue to make it interesting and exciting. While reading about one product or issue, I found that I learned a lot about the country and its people.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Cultural studies    4. Customs & Traditions    5. Economic aspects    6. Economics - General    7. Food habits    8. Food industry and trade    9. Food manufacturing & related industries    10. Food preferences    11. Political aspects    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. Sociology - General    15. Business & Economics / Economics / General    16. CONSUMPTION (ECONOMICS)    17. GLOBALIZATION    18. POLITICS AND CULTURE   

Reviews (17)

Haunting and Beautiful
Like most Westerners, I am both horrified and fascinated by the Chinese tradition of footbinding. I found this book to be an excellent source of images and history, and cultural context of this rite of passage for Chinese girls.I appreciated that this book is written in a neutral voice, allowing the reader to explore the many meanings of footbinding, rather than simply condemning it as an abhorrant practice.

really lovely volume
A stunningly visual book, with wonderful pictures and lots of historical information. Enjoy!

Beautiful Photography
This is just a gorgeous book.I bought it to use in a class that I taught on culture.It has great "shock" value in terms of educating students about the power of culture over physical circumstances and "voluntary" body alteration.I do have an appreciation for the craftsmanship of the tiny slippers as well.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Asia - China    3. China    4. Customs & Traditions    5. Dress And Costume    6. Foot    7. Footbinding    8. History    9. Social Science    10. Social aspects    11. Social conditions    12. Sociology    13. Women    14. Asian / Middle Eastern history    15. Costume    16. Cultural studies    17. Oriental art    18. Textile arts    19. Chinese   

Reviews (1)

una manera de afrontar la muerte
este libro, que fue leido por mi hace ya muchos anos, es otro que me impresiono y me gusto. muestra diferentes vistas y perspectivas de la muerte de un ser querido. desde la negacion de los hechos hasta laaceptacion y la resignacion, pasando por diferentes estadios que sonnecesarios tanto social como psicologicamenete para superar la perdida. esde especial interes para estudiantes de medicina o de psicologia o paracualquier persona que quiera aprender a lidiar con una gran perdida. LUISMENDEZ ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Customs & Traditions    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family/Marriage    6. Sociology - General    7. Coping with death & bereavement    8. Social Science / Sociology / General   

Reviews (9)

Standard Price Guide to U.S. Scouting Collectibles (Standard
What a great resourse book.A must have for the avid collector or the novice.Besides collecting, it is a great companion piece to learn about the Boy Scouts and 20th Century Americana in general.I commend Mr. Cuhaj for all the work and time he put into creating this. I'm so glad some one thought enough of me to make this a perfect gift for the Scouter who has everything.

The Year 2001 U.S. Scout Collectibles Reference Work
This is the 2nd, updated edition of the popular volume.Its 400 pages feature more than 750 nice black and white photos and a 16 page full color section.There is adequate text to accompany the photos, and it is fully indexed to aid in item location.All major levels of scouting are featured, along with collectibles, council listings, glossary of terms, memorabilia dealers, collector organizations, museums and reference works.It's an essential guide for scout collectible enthusiasts.

"Standard Price Guide To U. S. Scouting Collectibles" 2nd Ed
This is an excellent book for anyone who collects Boy Scouts of America memorabilia such as insignia, pins, books, Order Of The Arrow, just about anything that has been involved in Scouting.It details many items extensively, and provides price ranges based on condition.The first edition did not have an index, and it was rather difficult to find certain items, but Cuhaj corrected that in this second edition. The magnitude of this book is tremendous, providing over 11,000 listings, most with values for buying, selling, or just trading.There are a few pages in color, while the rest is in black and white.I would have preferred all items in color, and would have been willing to pay more for the book.If Scouting memorabilia is your forte, I highly recommend this book with a 5-Star rating. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Boy Scouts    6. Boy Scouts of America    7. Catalogs    8. Collectibles    9. Cub Scouts    10. General    11. Insignias    12. Popular Culture    13. Reference - Price Guides    14. Sports Memorabilia (besides cards)    15. Uniforms    16. United States    17. Antiques & Collectables   

Reviews (7)

Different opinion
I found the book to be opinionated and rather negative about the U.S. I also found many of its statements odd. She says "if students show up for class, they may get a "C" just for their good attendance." About houses, she says, "the East Coast and Midwest regions... often have a basement for the tornadoes or hurricanes possible in those areas." About the Amish, she says they "reject modern conveniences such as electricity, cars, air travel, jewelry and divorce." The book is peppered with statistics, some of which are suspect or flat-out wrong such as "the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 35 million temporary workers, or nearly one third of our labor force, is made up of temporary workers." The book also uses a lot of idiomatic expressions which I would imagine would make it hard to read for someone whose native language is not English. For instance, the section on marriage is entitled "Tying the Knot" but that expression is never explained.

A must-have for anyone moving to the U.S.
Visiting or moving to a foreign country can be exciting but very intimidating. This travel guide should be an essential item for your suitcase when packing for the U.S. I wish I had a book like this for my many travels to foreign countries.It's a quick reference guide to understanding U.S. culture without having to refer to dozens of books. A great gift to prepare anyone traveling to the U.S.Don't leave home without it!
I have learned a lot from tis book too
This is a witty, comprehensive, and carefully researched book. The author's experience with different cultures and her deep understanding of her own culture makes for fascinating reading for both international people and Americans.
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Subjects:  1. Customs & Traditions    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. History - General History    4. History - U.S.    5. National characteristics, American    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. United States    9. United States - General    10. Visitors, Foreign    11. Anthropology - Cultural    12. Emigration & Immigration    13. Essays & Travelogues    14. Intercultural communication    15. Social life and customs    16. Travel   

Subjects:  1. Calendar    2. Calendars & Diaries    3. Customs & Traditions    4. Non-Classifiable    5. Social Science / Customs & Traditions   

Subjects:  1. Customs & Traditions    2. Sociology    3. Sociology - General    4. Folklore   

Subjects:  1. Customs & Traditions    2. Encyclopedias    3. History - U.S.    4. Reference    5. United States - State & Local - South    6. American history    7. American studies    8. Central Southern states    9. Reference / Encyclopedias   

Editorial Review

Let's face it: the French have gotten a bad rap. Mention thatyou're considering a trip to France and everyone will warn you aboutrude waiters, supercilious shopkeepers, and snooty concierges who won'tgive you the time of day--and worse, pretend not to understand yourhigh-school French. Not so, says Polly Platt, author of Read more

Reviews (61)

Essential for first-time visitors to France
Ever since the invention of the internet with its seductive anonymity, the streak in us humans that loves to find fault and enumerate others' errors has roared to life. People, please. Yes, the book sometimes focuses on upper class society, and yes, Ms. Platt is clearly pleased to move in the circles she moves in, and all that.
Outdated and not all that practical for the middle class. . .
I bought this book before we moved to France in 2004. The only edition I could find was the 2nd one. Granted, the new 3rd edition has come out, which I hope contains some corrections, but in the 2nd edition (written in the late 1990s) lists Mitterand as the President (still!) and Jaques Chirac as the Mayor of Paris. Considering this had changed several years before the 2nd edition came out, it made me question what other outdated information was in the book.
How not to understand France
Written by a pinch-nosed social climbing snob who loves to describe her Parisian haut monde acquaintances, this essay is about as accurate a depiction of the French and French life as a Thomas Wolfe novel about New York city's upper crust.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Customs & Traditions    3. Etiquette    4. Europe - France    5. France    6. National characteristics, French    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Living & working abroad   

Reviews (8)

Strong Argument For "Going Veggie"
I'll never eat another Big Mac ! I've been looking for incentive to cut out the fast food. This definately did it for me. Point well taken. Yech !

An Eye Opener!
The Fast Food Craze is a perfect guidebook for beginner vegetarians or people who think seriously about their health--and the well being of animals.
Reviews by Nan Kilar and Bobby Miller
This book will be good for use in the classroom or by anyone seriously considering going the vegetarian route. The author has done a lot of research and includes many citations, articles, and pictures that she has found for her case: pro animals and healthy food; anti fast food and animal mistreatment.
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Subjects:  1. Animal Rights    2. Consumer Health    3. Customs & Traditions    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Diets - General    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Nutrition    9. Reference    10. (health,diet,vegetarian,animals)    11. Health & Fitness / General   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business entertaining    3. Business/Economics    4. Customs & Traditions    5. Entertaining    6. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    7. Manners And Customs    8. Performing Arts/Dance    9. Planning    10. Recreation (General)    11. Sociology    12. Special events    13. Business & Economics / Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    14. Etiquette & entertaining    15. Food & Drink / Cookery    16. Hospitality industry   

Subjects:  1. Americas (North Central South West Indies)    2. Anthropology - Cultural    3. Atlanta Region    4. Customs & Traditions    5. Gender Studies    6. Georgia    7. Latin America - General    8. Love / Sex / Marriage    9. Man-woman relationships    10. Marriage    11. Mexico    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. Ethnography    15. Social Science / Anthropology / General    16. USA   

Reviews (1)

Poorly Written; Bad Choice
When examined properly by a good author, the medieval period is an interesting and exciting phase of human history. This book is a horrid attempt at examining the period.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Civilization, Western    4. History    5. Humanism    6. Medieval    7. Movements - Humanism    8. Philosophy    9. Textbooks    10. Social Science / Customs & Traditions   

Reviews (11)

Inspiring
I found this book inspiring and full of practical and lovely ideas.Some of them are relatively easy to implement; others take a bit more effort/preparation.The holidays discussed are American.The book presents simple ways to make daily living special and to take note of holidays, seasons, and other occasions.

Simple pleasures for Simple Times
I love the noble simplicity of the Victorian age. This book is an invitation to experience simple rituals in your daily life. I especialy enjoyed the beautiful art work and many pictures. This book takes the reader on a gilded journey through the entire year with wonderfull passages describing a myriad of traditions and daily rituals for living. If you cherish the victorian tradition then you simply must have this book. Buy it new or used, read it, experience it, and pen a review to spread the joy, this truly is home.

Preserving family memories
It is Thanksgiving Day as I write.I have used this book extensively over the past week as I write down the activities we will do as a family this holiday season.We are a family with young children (8, 6, 3, baby), so we are only now starting our family traditions.It is VERY important to me that the children have family memories to keep them reminded of their happy childhood.This book has been a wonderful keepsake.I have already started purchasing it for others, as it is beautifully written and breathtakingly beautiful.Do not hesitate to buy this book.It will enhance your library like few others.I am wishing for another book like this one, but have not found it yet. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Customs & Traditions    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family Relationships    5. Family festivals    6. Family/Marriage    7. Folklore    8. General    9. Great Britain    10. Months    11. Seasons    12. Social life and customs    13. Body, Mind & Spirit / General    14. Family, Home and Practical Interests    15. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Customs & Traditions    5. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    6. Management    7. Special events    8. Business & Economics / Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    9. Project management    10. Sport & leisure industries   

Reviews (6)

This book.
A very boring book. It goes into the very basics of Russian culture. It only had a couple pages about dating a Russian. I have been there twice in the last year, and didn't find the book useful at all. Find another book to read about Russian Culture and social dynamics.

Some useful information, but nothing earth shattering
This book is relatively good, but basically all the information in the book can be found by a couple of simple google searches.The information is presented in a rather matter of fact way, but I just don't feel that I learned much or got anything in the way of new insight into Russian culture. Bad Book?
This was the worst book I have ever read.It was so boring.I have never spent so much money on such a stupid book!! I can't believe that anyone would say that they liked this book!! And I really wouldn't recomend anyone else buying or reading it!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Sociology    2. Russia (Federation)    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Social Situations And Conditions    5. Russian    6. Anthropology - Cultural    7. General    8. Customs    9. Foreign Language Study / Russian    10. Russia    11. Social issues    12. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    13. Customs & Traditions    14. Sociology - General    15. Social Science    16. Handbooks, manuals, etc    17. Manners And Customs    18. Social life and customs   

Reviews (2)

Read for Thrills!
This book is filled with wonderful, artistic photos.Galembo's collection thrills anyone interested in costumes and vintage Halloween.

AMAZING!!!
If you have ANY feel for Halloween, BUY this book! It is THAT good! It will remind you of your childhood and the magic that flew through the air on Halloween. HIGHLY reccomended! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art - General    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Costume    5. Crafts & Hobbies - General    6. Customs & Traditions    7. Halloween    8. Halloween costumes    9. History    10. Holidays (non religious)    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Photoessays & Documentaries    13. Pictorial works    14. Sociology    15. 20th century    16. Crafts & Hobbies / Seasonal    17. Customs    18. Handicrafts    19. USA   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining - Party Planning    4. General    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Management    7. Planning    8. Reference    9. Special events    10. Business & Economics / General    11. Etiquette & entertaining   

Reviews (1)

A highly recommended, core reference title.
Now in an updated and expanded new edition, The American Book Of Days features 850 essays marking important anniversaries and the birthdays of history-making Americans throughout the 366 days of the year (including February 29th). All American holidays and pivotal moments are noted as readers can delve into fascinating and often overlooked accounts connected to otherwise familiar facts of American history from the discovery of American by Europeans down through to today. Cross-reference and an extensive index make information easy to find, while expanded appendices feature historical documents. A highly recommended, core title for school and community library American history and reference collections, The American Book Of Days is enhanced for students and researchers with approximately one hundred photographs and other illustrations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chronology    2. Fasts and feasts    3. Festivals    4. History    5. History: American    6. Holidays    7. Holidays (non religious)    8. Reference    9. Religious holidays    10. Sociology    11. United States    12. United States - General    13. United States History (General)