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Culture and Authenticity

Charles Lindholm author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Published:13th Dec '07

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Culture and Authenticity cover

Authenticity is taken-for-granted as an absolute value in contemporary life. In Culture and Authenticity, Charles Lindholm calls upon anthropological case studies from different cultures, historical material, and comparative philosophy, to explore how notions of authenticity develop, what forms it takes, and how it changes over time.


  • Examines the idea of authenticity and its role in modern culture
  • Explores society’s preoccupation with authenticity and the search for ‘real’ experiences
  • Looks at how the concept of authenticity intersects with questions about religion, ethnicity, and race
  • Investigates authenticity in the context of fields such as dance, cuisine, travel, and the modern marketplace

“Culture and Authenticity covers a lot of ground, both topically and conceptually. And it does so with admirable grace and clarity.” (Journal of Anthropological Research, Spring 2009)

"This reviewer found an interesting, entertaining, and easy-to-read discussion of the various forms and conceptions of 'authenticity.'" (CHOICE)

ISBN: 9781405124423

Dimensions: 236mm x 160mm x 19mm

Weight: 408g

188 pages