Ia CTY inpAnthropolog yPreface When Professor E. Adamson Hoebel, the late Professor Elmer R. Smith, and | were compil- ing the first version of the Readings, we were aware of two things. First, we undertook the task because we felt the need of a selection of readings to be used in conjunction with in- troductory anthropology texts since, from ex: perience, we knew that any text requires supplementary material. Therefore we tried to pull together a reader composed of well- written classic articles that were interesting and readable and that contained solid docu: mentation of certain ideas. Second, we real- ized that any piece of good anthropological writing could be used to exemplify or clarify more than one idea or concept and would often be used by various teachers to make theoretical points quite different from those which led to its inclusion. Therefore, we de- cided against the preparation of explanatory materials either for the major sections of the book, or for the individual excerpts. In preparing this revision, the same consid- erations are held as valid, but through the years, | have come to see another value in Readings. Whereas the textbook by its very nature tends to represent orthodoxy or, one should possibly say, widely held and agreed upon ideas, the reader can “run ahead” of generally agreed upon concepts. This helps the student to move beyond the orthodoxy of the text. | have also learned that students are stimulated and excited when they discover strong differences of opinion and real con- troversies raging beneath the placid prose of the day-to-day text. Therefore, | have included a few articles which are contradictory. Many of the added excerpts offer the student a view of subareas within anthropology which | ex- pect to become stronger and to contribute iportantly to the understanding of human behavior although they may receive scant, ifait Piece ay, atenton ia standard texts. Articles in uted inthe present ection have been se- tected rt ony for relevance but for the in- terest they may have in broader terms fr the degrada. onal charges have inohed deletion of ‘sme passages ad the elimination of explicit bibograptic citations. The author being qued, of couse, i indicated as he is in the ongnal. but source citations have been removed, Other deletions involve references to figures that ae not reproduced. Footnotes trea remore. ‘Because Professor Smith had passed away. ‘and Professor Hosbe was committed to ther ‘ork, | undertook this revision alone, The se: lectons nchde some of the many | hive found intresting readable, and elpul over the yas. ‘Athough each author's permission to use tis mateal is appropriately acknowledged, | should like to mention here with extreme Gratitude the generosity tht my friends and ‘olleagues have shown in alowing me to draw freely on their professional writings. My espe: thanks go to the seveal anonymous wiewers whose candid advice guided me in the tinal selection of the artelet included. This assistance has made posstle a reader which an support and supplement any of the stand. ard introductory texts in anthropology. ‘And with appreciation, | mention the as. sistance of Caralee Price who efficiently took care of voluminous correspondence needed in securing permissions, checked copyrights. and di other chores. To my wife. Jane C. Jennings, who assembled the manuscrit viewed my editing and assisted with all other phases of the job, | offer my special thanks Jesse D. Jewnmnes