I haven’t seen the latest book, but the older ones I’ve seen were written in the traditional anthropological way, mostly as collections of anecdata. That’s not an objection specifically against Graeber. Anthropology was always done that way. But rigor-wise it doesn’t compare to more modern stuff, like, say, Joe Henrich.
In this one there is plenty of archeological evidence as it is co-authored by D.Wengrow who is a Professor of Comparative Archaeology.
I believe Graeber could benefit from a more insistent editor. His writing sometimes seems like ‘stream of consciousness’ and outside of the constraints of academic distinction.
On the other hand, his work and ideas circulate well beyond the discipline or anthropology and well beyond academia which allowed him to write in his own way I guess.
I highly recommend the dawn of everything as well. It is probably the most recent, up to date book on stateless societies.
Why do you have a problem with ‘rigor’ side in his books?
I haven’t seen the latest book, but the older ones I’ve seen were written in the traditional anthropological way, mostly as collections of anecdata. That’s not an objection specifically against Graeber. Anthropology was always done that way. But rigor-wise it doesn’t compare to more modern stuff, like, say, Joe Henrich.
In this one there is plenty of archeological evidence as it is co-authored by D.Wengrow who is a Professor of Comparative Archaeology.
I believe Graeber could benefit from a more insistent editor. His writing sometimes seems like ‘stream of consciousness’ and outside of the constraints of academic distinction.
On the other hand, his work and ideas circulate well beyond the discipline or anthropology and well beyond academia which allowed him to write in his own way I guess.