Lois P. Liggett’s Bone (& Body) Lessons is a deep dive into the depths of human self-awareness through the lens of anthropology. I myself am enthusiastic about this topic, and I found Liggett’s exploration of skeletal bones and their cultural significance to be thought-provoking. The way she speaks into the measurement of bones, body postures, and their linguistic implications showcases the interconnectedness of humanity across time and space. It’s enlightening. Each chapter feels like an endless sea of knowledge, constantly offering insights into the ever-complicated human existence. Liggett’s emphasis on knowing oneself resonated deeply with me. Anthropology often seeks to unravel the mysteries of human identity. I myself, along with many others I’m sure, sometimes struggle with even the mystery of our own identities. I also particularly appreciated her addition of word roots and definitions related to bone vocabulary, it just added this interesting layer of linguistic richness to the book. Overall, Bone (& Body) Lessons is a must-read! That goes for anyone interested in anthropology, self-discovery, the fascinating interplay between culture and language, and the human body. Highly recommended!
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One way to understand self is through the skeletal frame. Skeletal bones hold many secrets which can be unlocked to tell stories of humankind; they become lessons for life. This book provides four perspectives on bone: culture, measurement of bones and body postures, grammar, and bone names. Word roots and definitions related to bone vocabulary allow the reader to gain insight. A major theme is to know oneself-to develop self-awareness. What can a person learn about self from bones? This book accompanies each person on their quest to know themselves, whether or not on a conscious or subconscious level. The current popularity of DNA kits that are being sold today-as well as the many websites offering assistance to people delving into their ancestry-validate this. Whether it is to delve into possible hereditary health conditions or to locate relatives and forge a connectedness to others in the world around them, people want to learn more about themselves. Bones provide such framework, for body and self.
