Histories of American Physical Anthropology in the Twentieth Century - Softcover

Michael A. Little is Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at the State University of New York at Binghamton. Kenneth A. R. Kennedy is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University.

This volume is the first comprehensive treatment of physical anthropology's history to appear since Frank Spencer's in 1982, to whom it is appropriately dedicated. The contributors are all established and eminent scholars who have experienced our history and consequently understand it and appreciate it. It will serve as a text in university courses, and as a general reference for professionals. (Richard Jantz, University of Tennessee at Knoxville)

From a one-dimensional, typological focus to a dynamic, problem-oriented one; from being racist to the main opponent of racism, physical anthropology has had a mixed history. Little and Kennedy have assembled an excellent set of papers that describe, analyze, and synthesize this fascinating story. This is a book that should be read by students and professionals alike. (Robert W. Sussman, Washington University in St. Louis)

This a fine and much-needed book with sound and sometimes witty coverage of the development of physical anthropology in America. No student of the field should fail to read it! (Pat Shipman, Pennsylvania State University)

An important addition to the library of anyone interested in tracing the development of physical anthropology. (The Quarterly Review Of Biology)

In sum, I think that the fossil and archeological records fail to support the aquatic hypothesis for human brain evolution. This does not mean that the hypothesis can be ignored, and I especially recommend the present volume to readers like myself who need to become acquainted with the nutritional and neurochemical arguments in its favor. (American Journal of Human Biology)

Little's insightful treatment of Boas's multifaceted relationship to anthropology is representative of the success of the book as a whole, which demonstrates the inter-related trajectories of both scientific and social/political history. (American Journal of Human Biology)