An Anthropologist Looks at History

This title compiles influential essays by Alfred Kroeber, written in the last decade of his life, reflecting his deep exploration of human culture, civilization, and history through an anthropological lens. Curated by Milton Singer and Theodora Kroeber, this collection showcases Kroeber's unique perspective on the intersections of anthropology, history, and the humanities. Rather than focusing solely on ethnology or linguistic analysis, Kroeber broadens his scope to address questions about style, civilization patterns, and the historical continuity of cultures. His view of anthropology as a young, evolving science with ancient philosophical roots demonstrates his belief in the discipline’s role in understanding human progress.

The volume aims to engage both historians and anthropologists by presenting Kroeber’s reflections on culture and the human condition, especially for a generation of scholars and students whose approach to anthropology is less historically oriented. Kroeber’s personal approach to his field, developed over a lifetime of teaching and exploring anthropological themes such as "Culture Growth," emphasizes the evolving nature of culture as an "aggregate" that shapes civilizations and values. By tracing Kroeber's intellectual journey, the book underscores the importance of historical context in anthropology, positioning it as a field capable of enriching broader humanistic inquiries and advancing our understanding of civilization’s aesthetic, ethical, and structural evolution.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1963.