Arguing with Anthropology - Critical Guide to Gift Theory

Our review of Arguing with Anthropology finds it a thoughtful, classroom-ready guide for students and readers who want to think and argue more rigorously about anthropological method. Karen Margaret Sykes uses the classic "question of the gift" as a steady thread, creating a novel, hypothetical approach that trains readers to weigh evidence, follow lines of obligation and reciprocity, and practise argumentation rather than simply absorb facts. The book's use of Pacific and global ethnography makes abstract topics tangible, and its emphasis on enquiry encourages critical writing and discussion.

Key Features

• Question of the gift framework: Uses gift-theory as a recurring paradigm to explore obligation and reciprocity, helping readers apply a consistent analytic lens across cases.
• Hypothetical approach: Presents projected situations and dilemmas so students actively practise forming and testing arguments instead of passively reading conclusions.
• Wide ethnographic range: Draws on Pacific and global ethnography to connect theory with concrete examples and comparative perspectives.
• Focus on method: Teaches key elements of anthropological enquiry, including how the discipline evolved and how field methods inform interpretation.
• Critical writing skill development: Emphasises the ability to think, write and argue critically, making it suitable as a course text or study aid.

Who It's For

Arguing with Anthropology is aimed primarily at undergraduate and graduate students of anthropology or social sciences who need a focused introduction to method and argument. It will also suit instructors looking for a book that prompts participation and classroom debate through hypothetical scenarios and discussion of the "question of the gift".

Readers seeking a general survey of cultural practices without attention to method, or those wanting a heavily illustrated ethnographic monograph, should look elsewhere; this book concentrates on conceptual tools and argumentative practice rather than visual documentation or exhaustive regional history.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear pedagogical structure that trains students in critical argument rather than rote learning.
• Engaging use of the gift-theory paradigm to unify disparate ethnographic examples.
• Practical hypotheticals that encourage active participation and applied reasoning.

Cons

• Not a richly illustrated field handbook; readers expecting extensive visual material may find the focus primarily textual.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Arguing with Anthropology is a compact, original teaching text that rewards readers who want to practise thinking and arguing critically. Its hypothetical, gift-theory centred approach makes it good value for courses on method or for self-directed students seeking to sharpen analytical and writing skills rather than those wanting a purely descriptive ethnography.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book teach research methods?
Yes; it focuses on methods of enquiry and the historical development of anthropological practice through argument and hypotheticals.

Is the book region-specific?
No; while it draws on Pacific ethnography, it uses global examples to illustrate broader theoretical points.

Who benefits most from reading it?
Undergraduate and graduate students of anthropology and instructors looking for a text that encourages critical discussion benefit most.