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In the Arms of Africa

The Life of Colin Turnbull

Colin Turnbull made a name for himself with The Forest People, his acclaimed study of African Pygmies. His second book, however, The Mountain People, ignited a swirl of controversy within anthropology and tainted Turnbull’s reputation as a respected anthropologist.

In this scrupulously researched biography, Roy Richard Grinker charts the rise and fall of this colorful and controversial man—from his Scottish family and British education to travels in Africa and his great love affair with Joe Towles. Grinker, noted for his own work on the Pygmies, herein gives readers a fascinating account of Turnbull’s life and work.

Originally published by St. Martin’s Press

Visit a website for the book.


375 pages | 35 halftones | 6 x 9 | © 2001

Anthropology: Cultural and Social Anthropology

Biography and Letters

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
1. Pygmalion
2. The Wizard
3. Hothouse
4. Class
5. The Flute of Krishna
6. The Rain Forest
7. Magical Sounds
8. New York City
9. The Museum
10. The Edge of Humanity
11. Wild Correspondence
12. Rain
13. Peter Brook
14. Virginia
15. Withdrawal
16. Death Sentence
17. Together at Last
18. Epilogue
Notes
Books by Colin Turnbull
Index

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