I was an anthro major in the late 60’s at Chapman College in Southern California. This was one among many field research books I had to read. It was a great relief to read something that finally wasn’t fawning over primitive people or Indians like they were the “noble savages.” The young associate professor (well he was 28 then, but that seemed old at the time LOL) that taught this particular class was an acquaintance of Chagnon’s.
I remember my reactions to this book to this day. It had a great ring of truth to it. Put me in Chagnon’s camp versus the others.
Oldplayer
(I am Choctaw)
You would probably enjoy this book. I did.
http://www.amazon.com/War-Before-Civilization-Peaceful-Savage/dp/0195119126
The notion that primitive tribes are more peaceful doesn’t even make any sense. What do these ideologues think would happen to a “non-violent” tribe that came into contact with a “violent” tribe?
Well, here’s part of your answer. They’d likely be killed and eaten, as the Moriori were. They actually were a peaceful tribe, as they’d developed alternative ways of handling conflict necessary in their very resource-poor environment.
Then they met their cousins the Maori...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moriori_people