Both livelihoods and diversity have become popular topics in development studies. The livelihood concept offers a more complete picture of the complexities of making a living in rural areas of low income countries than terms formerly considered adequate, such as subsistence, incomes, or employment. Diversity recognizes that people manage by doing many different things rather than just one or a few things. This book sets out the rural livelihoods approach within the larger context of past and current themes in rural development. It adopts diversity as its principal theme and explores the implications of diverse rural livelihoods for ideas about poverty, agriculture, environment, gender, and macroeconomic policy. It also considers appropriate methods for gaining quick and effective knowledge about the livelihoods of the rural poor for project and policy purposes.
Reviews
this book ... has much to commend it * Steve Wiggins, Journal of Development Studies *
This is a good guide to those entering the subject with little prior knowledge * Steve Wiggins, Journal of Development Studies *
Professor Ellis is to be congratulated. Not for the first time, he has produced a book whose chapters can readily be added to student reading lists * Steve Wiggins, Journal of Development Studies *
In a field where there has been much excitement and debate over the last two years, little of this has been overtaken by events: a tribute oto the author's ability to present lucidly mainstream positions and yet still incorporate insights from some interesting but less well known work * Steve Wiggins, Journal of Development Studies *
The great virtue of Ellis's book is that it summarises the literature, and seeks to define the terms in a way that will enable future discussion to proceed from a common base * Mary Tiffen, Development Policy Review *
strongly recommended. If you only have time to read one book on livelihoods, this is it * Mary Tiffen, Development Policy Review *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198296966
Author Frank Ellis
Format Paperback
Page Count 292
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 449g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 156mm * 17mm