“Haven't read this one, but similar charges were leveled at Chatwin about In Patagonia. I work in world affairs, made anthrolpolgy a course of study as an undergrad, and STILL counter that commenting on observations one makes from his/her own cultural perspective is not tantamount to "qualifying" or judging, but provides us with insight into the way we see the world. Even white men can comment. They also HAVE a culture. Somehow asserting that white men (i'm a white woman) are not permitted to comment on the world as they see it is like saying that they don't have a culture perspective. Which could be interpreted as one saying that theirs is somehow the STANDARD (ala Americans claiming the don't have a particular accent) and that other cultures are merely deviations from the standard. However, as I haven't read the book, maybe you could share one or more particular excerpts which support your comment? ”
