Essays on Cultural Transmission

Maurice Bloch is Professor of Anthropology at the London School of Economics. He is author and editor of numerous works in Anthropology, including Ritual, History and Power.

• Questions not to ask of Malagasy carvings * Why trees are good to think with * A well-disposed anthropologists' problem with memes * Kinship and evolved psychological dispositions * An understanding of what is passed on from parents * Are religious beliefs counterintuitive? * Introduction to "Political language and oratory" * The reception of Levi-Strauss in Great Britain * On deference * Where did anthropology go?

'It is evident that [Bloch's] approach finds its archaeological counterparts in cognitive and evolutionary archaeology and for anyone interested in these fields, this volume is highly recommended.'Felix Riede, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge'Many students will love the essays like 'Commensality and poisoning', a Durkheimian classic with transatlantic overtones. Yet among teachers and professional anthropologies, by complementary reversal, the collection's success among students will give us all the more reason to re-read the author's original, own or collaborative, books. And that must be a good thing.' Gerd Baumann, University of Amsterdam'Essays on Cultural Transmission is an inspiring volume that calls on anthropologists to tackle big questions about human life and society.'Jonathan A. Lanman, University of Oxford, Journal of Biosocial Science (2007)'Overall, this book is really insightful. With its broad coverage, both of issues and theoretic