Nisa the Life and Words of a Kung Woman by M. Shostak - Book Report/Review Example

The story makes the author doubt but in the end, it comes to realize it was true.The book is organized in a clear manner that makes it attractive to the reader. In the first section, the reader captures general information expected in the rest of the story. One is able to have a feeling of the culture practiced by the Kung people, as well as their interactions. Secondly, the book contains clear chapters. Each chapter captures one aspect of the people and hence gives an overview to the reader. Moreover, the author gives an overview of themes, stages of life and experience from a first-hand account by Nisa (Shostak, 1981).

In addition, the many interviews and research carried in the story help in giving credibility to author accounts. For example, he interviews myriad people such as Kung men, and women (Shostak, 1981). Through interviews and research, the author gets an opportunity to get first-hand information on the culture. On the other hand, credibility is achieved through the author's own observations and analyses, history, and reliance on work done by previous anthropologists.There are various themes in the book related to anthropology culture.

One of the most prominent themes is marriage. In this culture, it is clear that a woman was allowed to marry several lovers. Moreover, it is clear in the culture women was not respected in society. For example, we see Nisa being accused of infidelity while she was committed to her husband (Shostak, 1981). Other men also approach Nisa's mother still in marriage (Shostak, 1981). Women are also treated as outcasts once they are on their menstrual cycle (Shostak, 1981). The other significant theme is the traditional practices.

For example, the traditional form of healing is evident when her brother healed Nisa (Shostak, 1981). The other practices are on gathering of herbs and roots as food.