Customer Reviews
Excellent for students - By: Sarah Butler, 15 Sep 2005 
Every student does it - you get your reading list & you go & buy everything on it, then you never even glance at most of the books again as they sit forlornly on the shelf, gathering dust.
Well, if this book is on your reading list then please, don't leave it on the bookshelf; pick it up & read it. Unlike most textbooks on the subject, this book is not overwhelmingly long. You can easily read a chapter on your chosen subjectin depthin about half an hour - perfect for those last-minute essays!
Because of its size it is obviously not a comprehensive look at Archaeology - for that I suggest Renfrew & Bahn's Archaeology: Theory & Practice - but it is definitely one of the best starter books for students new to Archaeology.
Archaeological theory - Matthew Johnson - By: , 17 Aug 2005 
As an archaeology undergraduate, this is without doubt one of the best introductions to archaeological theory I have come across. Matthew Johnson uses a style that is both witty, incisive & informative. Complex issues are carefully explained & examples are critically chosen.
In addition to an entertaining & informative text, there is an extensive 'further reading' section which refers the reader to more detailed works, a large bibliography, detailed index & selective glossary.
I was a newcomer to the subject, but Johnson's style soon made me feel at home, & provided me with a springboard into further & more detailed reading. I would heartily recommend this book to students of archaeology at all levels.
Everything you need to know.... - By: C. Gibson, 10 Mar 2005 And more. This is an excellent text book - easily the best I've purchasedin my 3 years of university study.
Johnson covers the history of archaeological thought, the different theoretical schoolsin archaeology & anthropological/social sciences & everything else that you need to know about archaeological theory. All writtenin a very engaging & entertaining style; Johnson even manages to keep the normally dry topics interesting.
If you're an archaeology student, BUY THIS BOOK! You won't need any other on this topic.
A most worthy guide to the basics of archaeological theory - By: , 23 Feb 2000 Johnson's book stands alone within the field of archaeological theory. It has the honorable title of being the most accessible book on archaeological theory, without doubt.
Contained within its pages is a text aimed at students, & those who need an easy to read guide to archaeological theory. It is writtenin a way as to explain why theory is relevant, something I questioned before reading this book.
Not only does he address all the relevant questions & themesin archaeological theory, but he does itin a manner that can be understood by someone with no grounding in theory whatsoever. Having some prior knowledge is useful, but unlike books such as Trigger's "A History of Archaeological Thought" (1989) it is not essential.
Obviously for a book of 200 pages, it does not go into huge detail about the topics it covers (pretty much all of them!) but it acts as a superb introduction, which is its purpose. Having read the relevant chapterin Johnson, one can move onto more detailed texts, which are far less accessible.
The only criticism I have for the book is its index, which could cover more terms that are mentionedin the book. However, with a good contents page, it is easy to find the chapter relating to the desired topic, & unlike most texts it is not a chore to read up to the point you need.
Therefore, this book is essential reading for anyone doing work on theoryin archaeology, & should sit on the bookshelf of anyone who would ever need to know anything about the subject - something about just about every topic will bein there somewhere!
