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Clifford Geertz
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The Interpretation of Cultures Paperback – August 15, 2017

by Clifford Geertz (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 115 ratings
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One of the twentieth century's most influential books, this classic work of anthropology offers a groundbreaking exploration of what culture is

With The Interpretation of Cultures, the distinguished anthropologist Clifford Geertz developed the concept of thick description, and in so doing, he virtually rewrote the rules of his field. Culture, Geertz argues, does not drive human behavior. Rather, it is a web of symbols that can help us better understand what that behavior means. A thick description explains not only the behavior, but the context in which it occurs, and to describe something thickly, Geertz argues, is the fundamental role of the anthropologist.

Named one of the 100 most important books published since World War II by the Times Literary Supplement, The Interpretation of Cultures transformed how we think about others' cultures and our own. This definitive edition, with a foreword by Robert Darnton, remains an essential book for anthropologists, historians, and anyone else seeking to better understand human cultures.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    576 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    August 15, 2017
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.5 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0465093558
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0465093557
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"As an anthropologist, philosopher, political scientist, literary critic, and all-around, all-star intellectual, Clifford Geertz helped a vast public make sense of the human condition."―Robert Darnton, New York Review of Books

"The eminent cultural anthropologist.... Mr. Geertz was considered a founder of interpretive, or symbolic, anthropology. But his influence extended far beyond anthropology to many of the social sciences, and his writing had a literary flair that distinguished him from most theorists and ethnographers."―Andrew Yarrow, New York Times

"Clifford Geertz [was] an anthropologist whose imaginative studies of cultural groups from other countries changed the intellectual underpinnings of anthropology and other social sciences.... Dr. Geertz brought a distinctly literary sensibility to the study of anthropology with his sophisticated prose and vivid descriptions of social customs abroad.... Dr. Geertz's ornate, allusive accounts of other cultures came to define a new field of study called ethnography."―Washington Post

"Clifford Geertz is one of those rare scholars: the thinking person's liberal, who spurns easy banalities."―Lionel Shriver, Guardian (UK)

"Clifford Geertz was the foremost anthropologist of the past 40 years and perhaps the first of his trade to become world-famous.... His copious works first supplemented, then superseded the mighty labours of the founding fathers of the discipline."―Independent (UK)

"Clifford Geertz [was] arguably the best-known and most influential American anthropologist of the past several decades."―Richard Schweder, Common Knowledge

"One of the most articulate cultural anthropologists of this generation. Geertz has consistently attempted to clarify the meaning of 'culture' and to relate that concept to the actual behavior of individuals and groups."―ElizabethColson, Contemporary Sociology

About the Author

Clifford Geertz (1926-2006) was a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His book Works and Lives: The Anthropologist as Author won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1988.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Basic Books; 3rd edition (August 15, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 576 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0465093558
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0465093557
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.08 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.5 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 115 ratings

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Clifford Geertz

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
115 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

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Goran Lausic
5.0 out of 5 stars Ilustrador y entretenido
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2022
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Hace tiempo no leía un texto que me apasionada de esta forma. Si, es un clásico y se entiende porque... Entretiene, teoriza e ilustra. Una forma magistral de reflexionar acerca de lo que significa el concepto de cultura.
One person found this helpful
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Eugene T. Naughton
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2021
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When it comes to anthropology, I am a novice. This book came at the recommendation of a professor who offered a course on witchcraft in Europe (of all things). It is a beautiful book, and I'm enjoying learning!
3 people found this helpful
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Mary Hughes
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating culture share
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2019
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Fascinating and enlightening with other culture awareness and lifestyles. This is a fantastic read to expand the world view of peoples.
4 people found this helpful
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Edward Achutegui
5.0 out of 5 stars To know cultures.
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2020
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For research and studies on cultures.
One person found this helpful
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SLBB
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic!
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2019
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Geertz is foundational if you study culture!
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Borisav
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2019
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Excellent
One person found this helpful
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Michael Butler
5.0 out of 5 stars The best of Geertz
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2015
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Brilliance hard to describe. The writing is arrestingly beautiful and the analysis is mind boggling.
5 people found this helpful
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Customer99
5.0 out of 5 stars Good research book
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2013
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Very helpful research book for graduate school study of ethnography. I hope to use this sellera again in the near future.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Víctor Rivas
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is wonderful and it sheds light on the subject mentioned in the title.
Reviewed in Mexico on September 1, 2021
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The depth and widht of the scope of the author regarding his subject and, besides, the truly philosophical insight of his theory of culture. This is a sample of the intellectual link existing between thought and practical understanding of social reality.
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Tammy Savoie
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in Canada on February 24, 2021
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Excellent read!
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ignorethepain
5.0 out of 5 stars Full of interesting ideas... so good!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2017
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It's an interesting book about how culture is essential for the normal functioning of the human brain; it's not merely an add-on. The symbols we use to understand reality are central to how we function in society.

It is a bit heavy when it comes to the political anthropology of Indonesia and other post-colonial societies. I got something from it but because the details were in the past I skimmed over a few parts.

Geertz saved the best until last. I enjoyed reading about cock fighting in Bali and the cultural significance and meaning of it to the people.

The author is highly intelligent and is full of information. His writing style is sometimes not the smoothest, perhaps because he has a lot to say. Overall, I found the book to be excellent... so good! I am eager to read more of his work.
4 people found this helpful
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Hugo
5.0 out of 5 stars Alles Ok.
Reviewed in Germany on August 6, 2014
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Das Buch ist nicht nur gut zu lesen aber schoener im Kindle.

Ich werde meinen Freunden Kindle empfehlen.

Danke.

Hugo
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Edgar Martínez Delgado
5.0 out of 5 stars Uno de los mejores textos
Reviewed in Mexico on April 18, 2019
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Este texto no puede faltar en la biblioteca de todo antropólogo, historiador, arqueólogo o investigador del fenómeno social.
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