Promotions - Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles 2020 -

The rugged Sayan Mountains of south central Siberia are likely the hearth of early reindeer domestication. The Soiot and Tofa pastoralists who nomadize in this remote area today continue this ancient tradition. By studying contemporary herding and domestication practices among these tribes, ethnographer Oehler (Univ. of Northern British Columbia, Canada) sheds light on the nuanced interplay between tame and wild animal populations in a landscape only subtly altered by human agency. His book examines domesticated reindeer, cattle, horses, yak, and khainak (cattle-yak hybrids), both within the human household and in coexistence with wild species endemic to the region's snowy forests. The author also considers shamanic practices and the complex role played by spirit masters in maintaining domestic as well as wild populations. This book challenges earlier assumptions of a sharp dichotomy between hunter and pastoral lifestyles and differences between tame and wild animals. Built on the best practices of ethnographic fieldwork among indigenous societies in Siberia, Oehler's work transcends local studies in contributing to a broader understanding of the complex gradation between untamed nature and ecosystems managed by humans. Of undoubted value to students of modern ecology and ancient traditions alike.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels.

Editors Mozaffari (Deakin Univ., Australia) and Jones (Curtin Univ., Australia) have compiled a timely study on the often overlooked research concerning heritage activism, politics, and identity in Asia. This collection is rich in case studies focusing on the production of heritage, where heritage activism is perceived through the lens of social movement research as well as social media, cultural heritage activism, biocultural activism, and the media's role in framing heritage activism. As the title implies, heritage movements serve as the common thread connecting the chapters, with special attention to applying social movement theories to heritage in Asia. The opening chapter anchors the content, centering on heritage activism and social movements, but the final chapter's narrow scope limits the volume's concluding thoughts. Throughout the text, authors marvelously highlight unique cases, backed by compelling evidence, that portray a well-rounded story of heritage activism across countries such as Indonesia, China, Singapore, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Iran. Libraries with extensive reserves focusing on Asian heritage, culture, and politics should have a copy of this work.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.

The region known as Melanesia is one of the world's most diverse--it contains less than 1 percent of Earth's landmass yet encompasses more than 1,400 spoken languages, about 22 percent of the world's total. The cultural diversity that accompanies this linguistic collage has made Melanesia fertile ground for theoretical advances in studies of human difference, particularly in anthropology, and the ways in which Melanesians think about and categorize their worlds have generated intense academic debate. However, attempts at comprehensive summary are difficult. Although scholars seeking inspiration about human diversity will not be disappointed with this wide-ranging volume, the editors have wisely chosen standard categories (i.e., historical context, economics, and government) for organization. The collection opens with seven chapters that contextualize the thematic sections to follow and make disciplinary contributions in their own right. Collectively, they treat the prehistory, history, and geopolitical organization of the region, synopsizing its linguistic and cultural multiplicity. The remaining chapters are diverse, distilling the observations of leading scholars on a wide range of crucial contemporary issues. The result is the most important and comprehensive reference published on this region in years, perfect for general orientation.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels.