Among the social sciences, anthropology relies most on "fieldwork" - the long-term immersion in another way of life as the basis for knowledge. The essays in this text explore the notion of "field", show how the concept is historically constructed and explore the consequences of its dominance.
"A vitally important contribution to anthropology. . . . Most importantly, although the critique is sharply directed, the tone of the volume is constructive rather than destructive-or deconstructive."-Joan Vincent, Barnard College
"A rich, thought-provoking, and highly original collection. . . . The research presented is new and the perspectives original. This collection of essays casts significant new light on phenomena and practices which have long been central to anthropology, while at the same time introducing new substantive materials."-Don Brenneis, University of California, Santa Cruz
