Marjorie Shostak Book order (chronological)

The narrative follows two women: a hunter-gatherer in Botswana and an ailing American anthropologist, revisiting themes from Marjorie Shostak's classic work. Initially published in 1981, the earlier book posed a fundamental question of anthropology: Can true understanding exist between vastly different cultures? After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Shostak returned to Botswana in 1989, seeking closure and connection with the !Kung people she had previously studied. This account captures her rediscovery of individuals like the aging Nisa, her steadfast husband Bo, and others in their community. Shostak vividly portrays the !Kung life, the landscape, and the complexities of her fieldwork experiences, blending fascination with the challenges of cultural misunderstandings. The relationship between Shostak and Nisa is central, marked by moments of connection and the limits of their understanding. Despite their differences, their interactions reveal a profound bond that resonates beyond the narrative. Shostak reflects on the complexity of their friendship, acknowledging the desires and disappointments they faced. Ultimately, their relationship, though imperfect, becomes a valuable exploration of cultural exchange and human connection.

This classic paperback is available once again--and exclusively--from Harvard University Press. This book is the story of the life of Nisa, a member of the !Kung tribe of hunter-gatherers from southern Africa's Kalahari desert. Told in her own words--earthy, emotional, vivid--to Marjorie Shostak , a Harvard anthropologist who succeeded, with Nisa's collaboration, in breaking through the immense barriers of language and culture, the story is a fascinating view of a remarkable woman.

Backcover: "Ooit was het reizen voor vrouwen een opgave, waarop niemand zich verheugde. De postkoets kon blijven steken in een modderige weg of nog erger de postkoets kon overvallen worden door gemaskerde struikrovers. Echter in alle tijden - ook tegenwoordig - zijn er vrouwen geweest, die zich aangetrokken voelden door onbekende kusten, droge woestijnen, of zwarte mullahs, die vanachter een pilaar stonden te loeren. Schrijfsters als George Sand betrokken een domicilie op Mallorca, toen dit eiland nog woest en spannend was. Tegenwoordig moet men naar landen als Iran of Afghanistan voor een vergelijkbare authentieke reiservaring, landen waar het bureau van American Express weigert de reddende hand toe te steken bij eventueel verlies van de noodzakelijke valuta of waar de Islam sterk fundamentalistisch is, zoals in Irak." Met bijdragen van Marjorie Shostak Robyn Davidson Cathy Scott-Clark Ann Jones en vele anderen.