"kearney's book is an empirical study based on interviews of six people of various ancestries who were educated in Britain. Early chapters provide a framework for making sense of concepts of cultrue and identity and include interpretive ethnographers like Clifford Geertz. Kearny (Univ. of London, UK) overvies the six life stories, then summarizes and critiques prevalent theories of culture and identigy (bounded, social constructed, post-modern, and 'storied' identities). Next is a chapter outlining methodological problems of analyzing life histories, including personal reflections on conducting the interviews. Kearney then sketches patterns the research revealed. These occurred as sets of relatioships with families, cutlrural heritage, peers, the dominant culture, mass media, and education. Final chapters offer detailed analysis of the interview data, along with insights into how the self has been constructed in the narratives of the six individuals.

Kearney's conclusions often contain implications for educational practice and policy: 'We need to ensure that the aim of education is to encourage the development of creative adults with a sense of purose and a voice, who think critically.' Throughout Kearney demonstrates wide knowledge of contemporary ethnographic studies, and the extensive bibliography may provide useful information to interested readers. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above."--CHOICE.