Leslie White was one of the most important and controversial figures in
American anthropology. This classic work, initially published in 1949,
contains White's definitive statement on what he termed "culturology."
In his new prologue to this reprint of the second edition, Robert
Carneiro outlines the key events in White's life and career, especially
his championing of cultural evolutionism and cultural materialism.
Praise from readers "Republishing these pioneer articles now makes
White's fundamental exposition easily available to a new generation of
social scientists." Richard N. Adams, University of Texas "One of the
best works ever produced by an anthropologist. White was a remarkable
thinker and his writings were filled with 'intellectual content.'" Lewis
R. Binford, Southern Methodist University "The enduring foundation of a
science of culture is made supremely accessible thanks to the lucidity
of White's writing." Robert Bates Graber, Truman State University
"Written with a straightforward crispness. A welcome treat in an age
when obscurity is often confused with profundity." David Kaplan,
Brandeis University