Book Review
Introduction
Cultural Heritage Management; A Cultural Perspective is a book that discusses the attempt of different writers who are devoted to protecting our culture and heritage. Phyllis Mauch Messenger and George smith are the writers of the book who have drawn together various contributors from the global family, including archaeologists, development specialists, anthropologists, and different other people involved in the study (Messenger, Phyllis & Susan 37). The study consists of the interpretation of objects that define history and our cultural identifications as well as protecting and managing the culture.
The book shows different approaches to the management of our cultural heritage, including international law as well as artefact conservation and site explanation, to understand our culture correctly (Messenger & George 45). Cultural heritage consists of shared values and the feeling of belonging to a community. Objects and places of a crucial cultural significance are greatly valued in our global world, although they face strong forces of destruction. As stated by Messenger, Phyllis & Susan (37), the world has evolved throughout the past years in ways that threaten both the tangible and intangible cultural and heritage resources. Tangible forms of culture include things like artefacts and buildings, while invisible forms are traditions, values, and oral history. A heritage cycle helps us on how to make a future out of our past. The heritage cycle includes understanding the cultural heritage to be able to value it. By appreciating it, people tend to care for it and understand it. The book cultural heritage management is a result of student’s urge to understand the current situation of the cultural heritage of the world we live in today (Smith, George, Phyllis & Hilary 240).
Themes of the book
In the book Cultural heritage, there is the theme of economics. Messenger & George (21) assert that cultural heritage is an essential economic resource since it has a significant impact on the economy of a country. Both tangible and intangible destinations contribute to the growth of the economy since some act as tourist attraction centres. Tourists come from different parts of the world to visit museums and other places that have records of the different cultural heritages of a country hence a significant contribution to increasing the revenue of a nation since the tourists pay to access such sites. The income helps in the economic development of the country (Smith et al., 56).
The theme of education is also present in the book and as evident, culture forms a basis for research by students in learning institutions. Students are given fieldwork to research about different cultural issues and are required to present the results of their research work in the classroom context (Barthel-Bouchier& Diane 27). This research helps in the growth of culture since new findings which are not previously known come into existence, and this ensures that learning is passed to generations hence ensuring continuity. The theme of culture is also present in the book. Culture is the customs and beliefs of people in a particular community. Cultural heritage management teaches on ways of ensuring that the culture of a community is well protected (Smith et al., 240). Cultural practices guide our day to day activities. Global politics have been made aware through the political form of the archaeologist’s work. It shows the relationship between the people and archaeological findings (Barthel-Bouchier&Diane 27). The book shows the cultural clashes among communities and the consequences that come along with the disagreements (Watts et al. 86).
Strengths and weaknesses of the book
The preservation and development of culture have a positive impact on the growth of the community. Phyllis clearly states the different ways in which cultural heritage contributes to the development of society. Growth in the economy brought about by tourists visiting the heritage sites helps a great deal in community development. The author gives clear guidelines on how to preserve our heritage since it is arranged in different topics, and the book’s content is a combination of different people.(Messenger & George 22). They have summed up their ideas together to form a complete book. The book also clearly states the failures and successes in the cultural management of different countries.
The book tends to mostly focus on large countries, which has limited the publication of information acquired from small countries. The book also has very dense information in every chapter based on surveys hence making it challenging to read from a chapter to the next one without taking a break. The author could have shown more on how more resources and laws can help protect the heritage sites.
Conclusion
As evident the book Cultural Heritage Management; A Cultural Perspective, is valid and relevant on aspects of concern to cultural heritage. Notably, countries must continue improving their cultural heritage through the creation and development of laws that protect the heritage sites and increase funding to ensure proper maintenance of the sites since they are the reminders of our heritage and have a significant contribution to the growth of our countries both politically and economically.
Works cited
Barthel-Bouchier, Diane. Cultural heritage and the challenge of sustainability. Routledge, 2016.
Messenger, Phyllis Mauch, and Susan J. Bender. History and Approaches to Heritage Studies. University Press of Florida, 2019.
Messenger, Phyllis M, and George S. Smith. Cultural Heritage Management: A Global Perspective. , 2014. Print.
Moen, Phyllis, Donna Dempster-McClain, and Henry A. Walker, eds. A nation divided: Diversity, inequality, and community in American society. Cornell University Press, 2018 Watts, Kaaren J., et al..
Smith, George S., Phyllis Mauch Messenger, and Hilary A. Soderland. “Section 3. Heritage Values and World Heritage.” Heritage Values in Contemporary Society. Routledge, 2017. 239-286.