David E Stuart is professor of anthropology and associate provost for academic affairs emeritus, University of New Mexico. Max Evans, the author of twenty-five books, lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He received the Owen Wister Award for lifelong contributions to the field of western literature from the Western Writers of America.
"Stuart's book presents fresh insights and arguments that will spur
debate, particularly within the already contentious field of Chaco
scholarship. . . "Anasazi America" still succeeds in melding an
often opaque past into our own often disquieting present."
"Stuart's message is timely and important, and there is undoubtedly
a large public appetite for a book of this scope and
accesibility."
David Stuart . . . has made the findings of archaeology directly
relevant to weighty, modern social and political issues. . . .
�This� tale is structured around an interesting model that
contrasts power and efficiency as alternative strategies for
cultural survival. . . . Stuarts clear and straightforward prose is
written to a popular audience, largely free of the technical and
philosophical jargon that often suffocates archaeological and
anthropological literature.
In a very readable narrative . . . Stuart asserts a general theory
of Chaco Canyona sophisticated culture that has perplexed
archaeologists since its discovery . . . . "Anasazi America" draws
a fascinating dichotomy between modern pueblos and modern America,
which has failed to learn historys lessons.
In this readable narrative . . . Stuart very effectively deals with
the question, then, of why the collapse? . . . this work has an
urgent appeal to anyone of us interested in the future of
contemporary industrial society . . .
Stuart cogently distinguishes between powerful societies, which
gain power by using resources inefficiently, and efficient
societies, which run frugally but sacrifice wealth and power to do
so. The latter societies, he argues, are more resilient when
environmental changes or other challenges appear.
"In a very readable narrative . . . Stuart asserts a general theory
of Chaco Canyon--a sophisticated culture that has perplexed
archaeologists since its discovery . . . . Anasazi America draws a
fascinating dichotomy between modern pueblos and modern America,
which has failed to learn history's lessons."
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