About the project

What can we learn about anthropology and anthropologists from their bookshelves? What glimpses of their lives can be found in the ethnographies, films and unusual objects that threaten to spill from their shelves? Do they lend books? Do they mourn lost ones? How do the collections reflect the evolution of interest and careers?

This website begins a repository of interviews with anthropologists about their bookshelves. In the grand tradition of Desert Island Discs and similar media, we hope to give a sense of the individual and their biography through the books and accumulated flotsam on their shelves.

The project was started by Gavin Weston and draws upon the contributions of students and staff from Goldsmiths Anthropology Department.