Marvin Harris (1) (1927–2001)
Author of Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of Culture
For other authors named Marvin Harris, see the disambiguation page.
About the Author
Marvin Harris is an American anthropologist who was educated at Columbia University, where he spent much of his professional career. Beginning with studies on race relations, he became the leading proponent of cultural materialism, a scientific approach that seeks the causes of human behavior and show more culture change in survival requirements. His explanations often reduce to factors such as population growth, resource depletion, and protein availability. A controversial figure, Harris is accused of slighting the role of human consciousness and of underestimating the symbolic worlds that humans create. He writes in a style that is accessible to students and the general public, however, and his books have been used widely as college texts. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Works by Marvin Harris
Death, Sex, and Fertility: Population Regulation in Preindustrial and Developing Societies (1987) 8 copies
Portugal's African 'wards': A first-hand report onlabor and education in Mocambique (Africa today pamphlets:) (1958) 1 copy
Antropologia culturale vol. 1 - Antropologia fisica, sessualità, eticità, razza e razzismo (1998) 1 copy
Raza y trabajo en América 1 copy
Canibais e Reis Livro 1 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Harris, Marvin
- Birthdate
- 1927-08-18
- Date of death
- 2001-10-25
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Place of death
- Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Places of residence
- Cranberry Island, Maine, USA
Gainesville, Florida, USA
Leonia, New Jersey, USA - Education
- Columbia University (BA|1948|MA|1949|Ph.D|1953)
- Occupations
- anthropologist
- Organizations
- United States Army (WWII)
Columbia University
University of Florida
Members
Reviews
Lists
Awards
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 25
- Also by
- 3
- Members
- 3,727
- Popularity
- #6,797
- Rating
- 3.9
- Reviews
- 41
- ISBNs
- 148
- Languages
- 14
- Favorited
- 13
However, the second half of the book fell flat. Perhaps it's because, as a Jew, I don't share Harris' fascination with Jesus (so much Jesus. Three chapters of Jesus. It was SO tedious) or because Harris' treatise on New England witches has really become conventional wisdom. Either way, I finished this book mostly through a sice of obligation.… (more)