Book · 2018 · Social Science
How to Think Like an Anthropologist
- mentions
- 2
- person
- 1
- podcast
- 1
- episode
- 1
- recommendations
- 2
If you want to get a very quick take on what anthropology is there's a book by Matthew Angel called think like an anthropologist that summarizes some of the key ideas in anthropology.
Why people recommend it
How to Think Like an Anthropologist by Matthew Engelke is an accessible introduction to the core concepts, methods, and theoretical perspectives of anthropology, designed to help readers understand human culture and social behavior. The book was recommended by Jillian Tett on The Ezra Klein Show during the episode titled Is Trump ‘Detoxing’ the Economy or Poisoning It?, which aired on March 14, 2025. Host Ezra Klein asked Tett for an anthropological book recommendation, and Tett suggested Engelke's work as a quick and effective way to grasp the fundamentals of the academic discipline. She specifically pointed out a wonderful section within the book that examines different power structures, the cultural concepts of honor and shame, and how these forces operate within human societies. Tett noted that the text provides valuable frameworks for analyzing complex social dynamics and human interactions without requiring a deep academic background in the subject. Her recommendation framed the book as an ideal starting point for anyone looking to apply anthropological insights to contemporary economic and political issues, offering readers a lens through which to observe cultural norms and institutional power dynamics with greater clarity.
Every mention
Jillian Tett if you want to get a very quick take on what anthropology is there's a book by Matthew Angel called think l… 2
“if you want to get a very quick take on what anthropology is there's a book by Matthew Angel called think like an anthropologist that summarizes some of the key ideas in anthropology”
“if you want to get a very quick take on what anthropology is there's a book by Matthew Angel called think like an anthropologist that summarizes some of the key ideas in anthropology and there's a wonderful section in there about different Power structures and the concept of honor and shame and how that can play out in different cultures”
