Here you'll find a reading list of some of the
most influential works of Clifford Geertz, an American anthropologist known for
his innovative approach to interpreting culture. Geertz's work emphasizes the
importance of "thick description" - a detailed and nuanced analysis
of cultural symbols and practices - as a means of understanding the complex
systems of meaning that shape human behavior. Through his writings, Geertz
explores a wide range of topics, from religion and politics to literature and
ethnography.
Top books by geertz
"The Interpretation of Cultures" - This book is a collection of Geertz's essays on the nature of
culture and the role of the anthropologist in studying it. It covers a wide
range of topics, from religion and symbolism to politics and power.
"Local Knowledge:Further Essays in Interpretive Anthropology" - This book builds on
Geertz's earlier work by exploring the idea of "local knowledge" -
the culturally-specific ways in which people understand and interact with the
world around them.
"Works and Lives: TheAnthropologist as Author" - In this book, Geertz reflects on his own life
and career as an anthropologist, exploring the relationship between ethnography
and literature, and the challenges of representing other cultures in writing.
"After the Fact: TwoCountries, Four Decades, One Anthropologist" - This memoir by Geertz
provides a personal account of his experiences studying Indonesia and Morocco
over the course of several decades, and reflects on the changing nature of
anthropology as a discipline.
"The Religion ofJava" - This early work by Geertz examines the role of religion in
Javanese society, arguing that it serves as a means of social control and a way
of expressing political power.
"Islam Observed:Religious Development in Morocco and Indonesia" - In this book, Geertz compares the development of Islam in two different countries, exploring the ways in which religion intersects with politics, economics, and social change.
"The Social History ofan Indonesian Town" - In this classic ethnography, Geertz provides a
detailed account of life in a small Indonesian town, exploring the social and
economic relationships that shape daily life.
Well known articles by Geertz
"Thick Description: Towards an Interpretive Theory of Culture" - This is one of Geertz's most well-known and influential essays. It outlines his approach to studying culture as a system of symbols that must be interpreted through thick description.
"Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight" - In this essay, Geertz analyzes the cultural significance of cockfighting in Bali, arguing that it serves as a way for Balinese men to express their social status and masculinity.
