George E. Marcus (1) (1943–)

A fascinating look into the cultural conditions and historical situation of late 20th century Portuguese aristocracy, as related largely through a series of emails between a leading member of the aristocracy actively engaged in a critical consideration of the role of the aristocracy in general (as well as his own particular role and legacy), and a leading American professor of anthropology, who is seeking to create a new(ish) kind of ethnographic study of this group. Surprisingly engaging; show more at times reads almost like a novel, thanks largely to the remarkable character of the Marquis (Fernando Mascarenhas) and the even more remarkable candor he displays in examining his life. show less

The authors of this book try to articulate clearly what many anthropologists only imply obliquely: that good anthropological studies provide opportunities for social critique. The authors discuss anthropology's relation to more theoretical endeavors in social science and to history. It's a well-written book, it doesn't exactly come to any great revolutionary conclusions but it should at least give practicing anthropologists a good idea of why their work is important.