44 pages 1 hour read

Paul Rabinow

Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1977

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco recounts Paul Rabinow’s first field research trip to Morocco during graduate school in the late 1960s. He begins in Sefrou, progressing to the town of Sidi Lahcen Lyussi, where he explores the influence of ancient religious practices on society. Through interactions with locals, Rabinow examines themes like anthropologist/informant dynamics, Otherness, and colonial impacts, arguing against the objectivity of fieldwork data. The book includes discussions of societal dynamics, gender roles, and sex work in Moroccan society.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Paul Rabinow's Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco is widely praised for its introspective and critical take on anthropological fieldwork, offering a richly detailed narrative with thought-provoking insights. However, some readers find its dense theoretical discussions challenging and the narrative occasionally disjointed. Overall, it's a valuable, albeit demanding, read for those interested in anthropology.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco?

Readers interested in Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco by Paul Rabinow typically enjoy immersive, ethnographic studies, and reflective anthropological works. Similar to those who appreciate Clifford Geertz's The Interpretation of Cultures, these readers seek insights into both methodology and cultural understanding through personal fieldwork narratives.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

History: Middle Eastern

Anthropology

Education

Themes

Society: Colonialism

Society: Community

Natural World: Place

Genre

Education

Anthropology