An Introduction to Holistic Anthropology

Combines anthropology’s four subfields to explore what it means to be human

Introduction to Holistic Anthropology invites students to rediscover anthropology as Franz Boas once envisioned it — a unified discipline that integrates biological, historical, linguistic, and cultural perspectives to understand human diversity and commonality. In contrast to the fragmented state of the field today, where sub-disciplines often operate in isolation, this innovative textbook emphasizes a holistic approach that encourages readers to see the connections between different aspects of human life. John Forrest and Badger Forrest-Blincoe confront the challenge of making sense of anthropology’s “post-everything” landscape by shifting the focus from what anthropology is not to what it can be: a rigorous, integrative inquiry into the many dimensions of human existence.

Drawing on decades of combined teaching and research experience across six continents, the authors explore anthropology’s enduring questions about human nature, cultural variation, and the interplay of biology and learning. This book challenges students to consider how anthropologists build knowledge, where disagreements arise, and how the very foundations of the discipline can be contested and conceptualized.

Offering an accessible yet comprehensive framework that prompts learners to think across disciplinary boundaries, Introduction to Holistic Anthropology:

• Addresses the fragmentation of the discipline and offers strategies for reconnecting its branches
• Draws on fieldwork and teaching experience spanning six continents
• Frames key questions in clear and engaging language for those new to the subject
• Fosters analytical thinking and respectful debate
• Highlights anthropology’s relevance to contemporary global issues and intercultural understanding
• Supports interdisciplinary thinking that connects anthropology to other fields of study

Introduction to Holistic Anthropology is designed for undergraduate students in introductory anthropology courses, particularly at the first- and second-year level. Suitable for degrees in anthropology, sociology, history, and global studies, it provides a solid foundation for understanding human cultures and diversity.