The Races of Man: An Outline of Anthropology and Ethnography

"The Races of Man: An Outline of Anthropology and Ethnography" by Joseph Deniker, is a scientific book from the 1800s that gives a summary of human races and their traits from both science and culture. It aims to share facts which serve as the groundwork for anthropology and ethnography, while also explaining the different theories of human classification that existed at the time. Initially, the book introduces problems with classifying humans into specific groups, pointing out the wide variety of physical appearances, languages, and customs that are present across different populations. It seeks to clarify terms like "people," "race," and "species," and highlights that ethnic groups are often blends of different physical types, setting the stage for a careful study of the physical and biological traits that differentiate human races.