Gods of the Upper Air by Charles King Summary

Gods of the Upper Air chronicles the rise of cultural anthropology in the early 20th century, focusing on Franz Boas and his students—Margaret Mead, Ruth Benedict, Zora Neale Hurston, and Ella Deloria. The book explores their revolutionary work debunking racist and sexist myths, arguing that culture—not biology—shapes human behavior. It highlights their fieldwork across global communities to prove humanity’s fundamental unity despite differences.

This book is ideal for readers interested in anthropology, social justice, or intellectual history. Scholars of race, gender, and cultural studies will appreciate its analysis of systemic bias, while general audiences enjoy its narrative-driven profiles of pioneering thinkers. Fans of biographies or histories of scientific revolutions will also find it compelling.

Yes—it’s a New York Times bestseller and award-winning work (Francis Parkman Prize, Anisfield-Wolf Award) praised for merging rigorous scholarship with vivid storytelling. The book bridges academia and popular history, offering insights into debates about identity that remain urgent today.

Charles King is a Georgetown University professor of international affairs and government. A former Marshall Scholar, he’s written award-winning books on global history, including Midnight at the Pera Palace and Odessa. His works combine narrative flair with deep research, often focusing on cultural crossroads and marginalized voices.

Key themes include cultural relativism (rejecting “primitive vs. advanced” hierarchies), the social construction of race/gender, and the ethical role of science. The book argues that understanding diverse customs fosters empathy and challenges systemic oppression, ideas foundational to modern anthropology and social sciences.

Boas and his team disproved theories linking intelligence to skull size or gender roles to biology. For example, Mead’s work in Samoa showed adolescence isn’t universally turbulent, while Hurston documented Black cultural practices as sophisticated, not “primitive.” Their research laid groundwork for contemporary identity studies.

• Franz Boas: Founder of modern anthropology, criticized scientific racism.
• Margaret Mead: Studied Pacific Islander cultures, authored Coming of Age in Samoa.
• Zora Neale Hurston: Novelist/anthropologist blending folklore with academic study.
• Ruth Benedict: Analyzed Japanese society post-WWII.
• Ella Deloria: Preserved Sioux traditions amid colonialism.

• “Humanity is one undivided thing”: Central thesis against biological determinism.
• “Seeing the world as it is requires some distance, a view from the upper air”: Metaphor for anthropological objectivity.
• “Gray cruisers, destroyers, and support vessels clogged the harbor”: King’s evocative prose anchoring historical moments.

Unlike dry academic texts, King’s narrative blends biography, history, and social critique. It complements Mead’s Coming of Age in Samoa by contextualizing her work within broader debates, while offering a more accessible entry point than Boas’s technical writings.

Some scholars argue it oversimplifies complex academic debates or underplays critiques of Boas’s methods. Conservative critics dismiss its progressive stance on identity as “culture war” rhetoric. However, most praise its balance of rigor and readability.

The book revived interest in Boas’s legacy, emphasizing anthropology’s role in combating prejudice. Its themes resonate in studies of intersectionality, decolonizing research, and LGBTQ+ rights, reinforcing the discipline’s relevance to contemporary social issues.

As debates over race, gender, and nationalism persist, the book reminds readers that “differences” are culturally invented, not innate. It provides historical context for movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo, underscoring the power of science to challenge systemic bias.