The 25th anniversary edition of the book that challenged anthropology's ivory tower, inviting ethnographers to consider vulnerability an asset to—not a failing of—the act of witnessing
In a new epilogue to the 25th edition of The Vulnerable Observer, renowned ethnographer and storyteller Ruth Behar reflects on the groundbreaking impact this "wonderful little book" has had on anthropology, sociology, psychology, and more. The pocket companion for writers, journalists, and activists alike, this book speaks to the power of embodying yourself in your work, not as an act of hubris but as a means for connection.
In a move revolutionary for its time, The Vulnerable Observer proposed a new theory and practice for humanistic anthropology—one that is lived and written in a personal voice. No longer should the ethnographer write at a distance, clad in their "cloak of academic objectivity." Behar calls instead for a fresh approach to ethnography, one which views the self as a vehicle through which readers can travel and relate to each other and the world around them.
Eloquently interweaving ethnography and memoir, Behar proposes a very personal form of anthropology, describing her work as "the most fascinating, bizarre, disturbing, and necessary form of witnessing." She does so in the hope that this work will lead us toward greater depth of understanding and feeling, not only in the field of contemporary anthropology, but in all acts of witnessing.
