I have used Medical Anthropology in Ecological Perspective on numerous occasions and it is close to my ideal for a textbook in anthropology. Its perspectives in ecology, evolution, and biocultural interpretation are in the forefront of the biomedical and social sciences. I should be proud to have written it myself.
Michael Little, Binghamton University, SUNY McElroy and Townsend's ... Read moretextbook is a classic, and remains the best overall introduction to medical anthropology available. It is engagingly and clearly written, covering a broad range of topics from biocultural and evolutionary perspectives. I wouldn't consider using any other text to introduce students to this fascinating field of study.
Katherine A. Dettwyler, University of Delaware The ecological perspective has proven its utility for understanding health and healing across cultures and through the major health transitions. The new edition of McElroy and Townsend retains the classic ecological approach while updating and expanding treatment of the major topics adding illustrative and contemporary case studies; it continues to be in the very first rank of medical anthropology texts.
Lawrence Schell, University at Albany, SUNY Show Less