Dinner with a Cannibal: The Complete History of Mankind's Oldest Taboo

Dinner with a Cannibal: The Complete History of Mankind's Oldest Taboo | Carole A. Travis-Henikoff | Could not put it down

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Dinner with a Cann...

	Dinner with a Cannibal: The Complete History of Mankind's Oldest Taboo Carole A. Travis-Henikoff Santa Monica Press, 2008 - 360 pages average customer review:based on 5 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Presenting the history of cannibalism in concert with human evolution, this account takes readers on an astonishing trip around the world and throughout history, painting the incredible, multifaceted realities of cannibalism. Focusing on how cannibalism began with the human species and how it has become an unspeakable taboo today, this study answers questions such as Where, when, and how did shame and secrecy become connected with cannibalism? Why did some cannibals consume their enemies while others consumed their dead relatives? Did the eating of human flesh make them crazy? and What does it taste like? With careful anthropological and archaeological analysis and the telling of fascinating stories from around the world, this remarkable resource also includes details on the most famous real-life instances of cannibalism?including the Alive! incident in the Andes and the German Butcher of Hannover?and facts on infamous fictional cannibals such as Hannibal Lecter.

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Everything it should be and more

Travis-Henikoff (T-K), the daughter of a master chef and paleoanthropologist has written the book she was born to write. Dinner with a Cannibal is a superior book on every level that is researched well enough to be useful to both Anthropologists and lovers of the quirky, strange and interesting. As a reader who falls into the latter category, I recommend this book to absolutely everyone.

T-K uses her extensive research to tell a story that moves as it illuminates, covering topics that give context to cannibalism beyond sitting down to a nice meal of human flesh. Do not expect a glorification of salacious events, but rather a style of writing that allows the facts and her conversations to shine in a way that makes you want more after 304 pages.

Buy this book and share it with a friend. (My roomate dibbed it as soon as I brough it home). Better yet, leave it on your coffee table as a conversation starter.

For people who love these types of books I also recommend: Stiff by Mary Roach, Mutants(s) by Armand Marie Leroi (little heavy on the science if that's your thing), Execution by Geoffrey Abbott, and Infection by Gerald N. Callahan. But not until you finish this one.

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Could not put it down

This is a great book. It should appeal to everyone, from academics to laymen. It's not just about cannibalism but about the human condition, history, food and a lot of topics that are germane to us all. Travis-Henikoff's writing is excellent...it is hard not to read it in one sitting. I was initially turned on to the book's website where you can get a good idea of what is in the book: http://www.dinnerwithacannibal.com. You will love this book...interesting stuff.

You too, cannibal!?

When one mentions cannibals, we cringe as an image comes to mind of men dacing around a cauldron boiling another human. Many do not realize that we, too, may be cannibals, most people are! How is that, you say? Travis-Henikoff's DINNER WITH A CANNIBAL delves into the history of cannibalism with gusto leaving nary a culture uninvestigated, including us. I joined the cannibal clan at three years old, when did you? Wonderfully written and entertaining, it humorously answers that question, but the book is no joke. It is a well researched, scholarly work into man's indulgence in any sort of human substance.

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A taste of reality

Dinner with a Cannibal presents a refreshing, insightful examination of possibly the single barrier many insist separates the civilized from the savage. It is not merely the gruesome details of survival in extremis, although that is covered, but the cultural consumption of one's own species for one's own betterment. Cannibalism becomes a "normal" culturally protected activity. Travis-Henikoff's research was excellent. The topic presented clearly. I will not say deliciously. I am reconsidering my daughter's admonition to become a vegetarian.

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