Culture & Truth: The Remaking of Social Analysis

Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking. Could be a bit more concise.
Review: I read this book as part of a cultural anthropology correspondence course through the University of California, Berkeley in 1997-98.

The book contains many important ideas. For example, chapter three on imperialist nostalgia is a must-read for anybody who wants to understand the underpinnings of Western attitudes toward other cultures. Very eye-opening.

There are other important ideas throughout the book. The tone of the book is scholarly and a bit labored. It took me more than a little discipline to finish the book. I don't fault Rosaldo for this; the blame goes to the editor. This book is important and needs a light to moderate developmental edit to make it accessible to its audience.

Rosaldo has made a very important contribution to cross-cultural understanding.