Anthropologists in Arms tackles an issue that couldn't be more timely. Even more so, it shines an informative light on the complex ethical and policy issues that surround military anthropology with both balance and good sense.

P. W. Singer, director, 21st Century Defense Initiative, The Brookings Institution; author of Wired for War

Anthropologists in Arms is a clear-eyed, searching analysis of the complex ethical issues involved in anthropology's engagement with the military. A fascinating and accessible book, it is a signal achievement that is sure to raise the level of discussion within the discipline and become essential reading for anyone concerned with the future of anthropology.

Robert A. Rubinstein, professor of anthropology and international relations, Maxwell School of Syracuse University

Anthropologists in Arms is a tremendous contribution to the emerging professional debate concerning the morality as well as the academic propriety of scientists and scholars working closely with the military in modern warfare. Set against the background of discord over the American invasion of Iraq, Guantanamo, and continuing war in Afghanistan, this is a must read not only for anthropologists, but also for other scientists, academics, and professional military officers.

Jeffrey McCausland, Colonel, US Army (retired); Senior Fellow, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs; former dean, Army War College

Only on the rarest occasions can members of one learned profession criticize the practices of another. In this exquisitely careful and thoughtful book, philosopher Lucas examines the controversial connections between anthropologists and the military. His account of the moral problems is as insightful as his conclusions are balanced.

John Lachs, Vanderbilt University

George Lucas is internationally recognized as one of the top scholars in the field of military ethics. His groundbreaking work on establishing the criteria for a just peace set the terms of the debate. With Anthropologists in Arms, Lucas applies hisethical expertise in a new arena, plunging into the relatively little-known world of military anthropology. He exposes the growing use of anthropologists by the U.S. government and military to help both policy makers and troops on the ground understand and more effectively interact with unfamiliar cultures and native populations in conflict regions. This raises a host of fascinating issues, relating not only to potential violations of professional values, but also more universal concerns about the appropriate roles and responsibilities of scholars and citizens. What is your obligation if you believe a particular military effort is unjustified, but you have specialized knowledge and skills that could prevent the situation on the ground from deterioratingeven further or help limit the scope of the damage (including the suffering of innocents)? Not shying away from controversy, Lucas addresses vital questions of conflicting moral duties, backing his conclusions with sound philosophical reasoning and carefu

Sharon French, professor of philosophy; director, Inamouri International Center for Ethics, Case Western Reserve University

Anthropologists in Arms opens a new branch of the scholarly debates surrounding the 'engagement' of anthropologists in the military and national security sectors. Controversy has swirled around the ethical, professional, and political issues involved in the employment and deployment of anthropologists in the global war on terror, especially in regard to programs that embed social scientists with combat units as cultural intelligence advisors. However, the range of types of engagement, and thus the ethical and professional issues they raise, is not well-understood or evaluated. Lucas reviews critically the relevant history and debates in anthropology, and his collegial recommendations from a colleague in philosophy to anthropological professionals are of the utmost, urgent relevance. Engaging and pitch-perfect, Anthropologists in Arms is a thoughtful, sincere, and balanced treatment of past and present debates and a very important addition to the current literature.

Carolyn Fluehr-Lobban, Professor Emerita of Anthropology, Rhode Island College