Mythology Books

Jerry Bryant has written a most compelling study of the African-American male using history, poetry, song, literature, along with myth and fact. This is a must read for anyone interested in, deeply or just superficially, the ways and the cultural whys and wherefors of the black man in american...yesterday and today. It is done with sensitivity and thoughtfulness and worth anyone's time...and it is damned readable!

A really interesting overview and analysis of the "baad man" as a central figure in African-American literature, tracing the origins from his earliest appearances in myth and folklore. Lively, literate without being pedantic, and full of interesting and surprising examples. Real insights into such major figures as Richard Wright and Toni Morrison, along with a fascinating section on the sources and achievements of Ice-T and the contemporary rappers that I, never a rap fan, found really eye-opening..

Jerry Bryant has written a most compelling study of the African-American male using history, poetry, song, literature, along with myth and fact. This is a must read for anyone interested in, deeply or just superficially, the ways and the cultural whys and wherefors of the black man in american...yesterday and today. It is done with sensitivity and thoughtfulness and worth anyone's time...and it is damned readable!

My title comes from the 1/16/2006 newspaper article by Cynthia Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle. This book by Jerry Bryant gives historical background on the "bad man" image and why it finds support in the Black community. "The popularity of thug culture is among the most serious of modern-day threats to Black America . . ." says Cynthia Tucker. The sad fact is that the victims are likely to be young black men.

This is a great book that should be read by all people interested in reducing violence in their communities.

This is a book about African American "badmen" like Stagolee, John Hardy, Railroad Bill, and Devil Winston and how this archetypal figure gets taken up by black novelists, convict "toasters" and gangsta rappers. It tells the story of the defiance of this black folk hero and how middle class novelists and commercial rap artists soften and exploit an originally spontaneous figure of freedom that first emerges at the end of the nineteenth century. Jerry Bryant is professor emeritus of English, California State University, Hayward. By the way, the 5-star rating isn't vanity, it's just that some rating is required by Amazon and I figured it would be counter-productive to give my book anything less. JB

Being a true southerner I seriously questioned the ability of a "Yankee" to write a quality and unbiased biography of someone that the south considers "one of our own".

I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised to find a tremendous amount of information which proved to be both interesting and intruiging. Most importantly, I learned something. Dr. Brasch did an incredible amount of research on Joel Chandler Harris, his works, his life and his legacy. The material in this work is presented in such a way that you walk away feeling that Mr. Harris was an author willing to take chances in a time that taking chances wasn't considered politically correct. It is also presented in such a way that the reader comes away with a sense of the true south in a time of racial uprising and disruption.

The Uncle Remus series has and always will be a part of the southern heritage - learning about its creator should be part of the mandatory cirriculum set forth in the higher educational forums of not only the south, but those across the country. Joel Chandler Harris has proven to be a character worth studying. I would not have believed this had I not picked up this book.

For those who enjoy biographies, this is a must read. An added bonus is the attractive artwork on each page as well as the high quality photographs depicting Joel Chandler Harris, his home and his surroundings.

This is a fascinating book. Anyone interested in the story behind the characters we knew as children--Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Uncle Remus--would find Walter Brasch's thorough research, his extensive collection of photographs and illustrations, and his thoughtful treatment of recent and current debate over the work of Joel Chandler Harris to be well worth an investment of $... and a few hours of pleasurable reading.

While the tales of Uncle Remus are some of the most notable American folk tales, the name of their author Joel Chandler Harris is less known, and many have no awareness of this preserver of Afro-American dialect and folklore. Brer Rabbit, Uncle Remus & The 'Cornfield Journalist' uses primary sources from letters and newspaper accounts to diaries and art to provide a cultural biography of Harris, a man who lived in the South and preserved a tradition which might otherwise have been lost. Involving and engrossing, yet scholarly in research and depth.

I have seldom read a book more enjoyable than this history of one of the greatest storytellers in America. This was a newspaper editor who created the stories of Brer Rabbit and Uncle Remus, yet was one of the most liberal voices in America after the Civil War. This is a nicely-illustrated book, one that explores all sorts of themes, including why the author is no longer remembered, and whether Brer Rabbit is racist, or whether people who haven't read the stories made him out to be racist.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in history, sociology, journalism, popular culture--or just learning about life.

Very informative book. I learned so much about my African heritage. I thought the name 'BRASCH' was a strange name for a brother. Who knew a white man could teach me so much about my roots!! It took me a long time to read the book because each chapter was full of information. I had to give my brain time to process it all. I was sorry when I had read the last chapter. I live near Atlanta and plan to visit the home of Joel Chandler Harris.

I bought several copies to send as gifts to relatives.

Good summary to the story with the exception of a few missed details. I'm left wanting more closure but the book was overall very entertaining! I loved reading about the two most evil characters I've ever read about finally facing off against each other. This book kept me guessing and I now have new expectations for villains! For some reason, I don't think I'll find any other villains more entertaining than K'os. Great twists and very witty!

Sue Harrison is one of the best storytellers out there today-- which she proves in the completion of the storyteller saga. She manages to do by creating intriguing characters who are also storytellers, and manages to make a novel with two parallel plots weave together perfectly.

Harrison makes the way of life for the ancient people of Alaska come alive, in all its hardships and joys. She creates complex and differing characters, from K'os, the villain who thinks only of herself in a place and time where cooperation was a necessity to survival, to Daughter, who is gentle and helpful, even to her adoptive mother K'os. This is definitely a novel worth reading.

This book was just as exciting as the other 2 in the trilogy, however it does not pick up where the 2nd one left off so you are kinda in the dark to begin with. The ending was very interesting but it was hard to say if it was real or storyteller. Definitely worth reading again.

A very interesting and beautifully written book. The trilogy is about Alaskans Natives who are story tellers. You begin to feel for the characters and dream with them. I wish that American youth would be required to read these books and other stories like these, so that our young generation would have a better understanding about Native American's culture and past.
Sue Harrison is an extremely creative and intelligent writer, you should read all of her books.

Sue Harrison's work is not only about storytellers, but also by a storyteller. Her plots are engrossing and the reader can get lost in the emotion of the events.
CALL DOWN THE STARS is not only a wonderful stand-alone book, but a perfect culmination of all her books. In more recent times than her first trilogy, the storytellers in CALL DOWN THE STARS use the old characters from all the books as part of their history and continue to tell new additions to these people's lives while their own stories unfold.
I highly recommend this, and all of Ms. Harrison's books to anyone looking for something new or in this genre.

This is NOT a another modern book about the ancient traditions of "Celtic Spirituality". I, for one, am extremely grateful. This is a collection of traditional prayers and incantations used by the Gaelic speakers living in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. These "poems" are simple, sparse, superstitous and incredibly beautiful. When Carmichael documented these in the 1800's, the Gaelic culture and its belief systems were quickly dying out amidst a wave of modernisation, protestantism and urban flight. These poetic artifacts are a true window on the beliefs, hopes, fears and superstitions of the pre-modern world. Many of these were used to ritualize common daily tasks. These chants find the sublime in the pedestrian, in a way that is completely devoid of self-conciousness. The poems in this collection are unique and priceless. Carmichael did a wonderful thing in preserving these gems for future generations. If you are interested in understanding the unromanticized and complicated truth of the spiritual side to Gaelic culture, this is indispensible. If not, perhaps the latest coffee table book of "Celtic Prayers" is more your speed...

The number of books on Celtic spirituality in the past ten years is stultifying. The inane banalities poured out in most of these books is paralleled only by the repititiousness of most of their contents.

This book, however, is the real thing. These poems were collected in the last century by Alexander Carmichael in his work in the Scottish highlands. They truly display the sense of closeness to the earth, and closeness to God, in daily life that is the hallmark of Celtic spirituality, and as expected in a collection of poems from the poor and humble, there is not a speck of pretension in any of it. The book has been a minor classic in its own field ever since it was first published, and now it is finally getting the widespread recognition it deserves.

My only regret is that this version doesn't include the Gaelic versions that Carmichael collected alongside the English translation; I believe that the original edition included these. If you're burned out on the absurdities of Celtic spirituality which are served up by the truckload nowadays, this book will give you your faith back.

This collection has become a sourcebook for those interested in Celtic Christianity and even in pre-Christian ritual. I use it frequently as a reference to find out common folk themes running through Christianity on the fringe. The tradition was dying out when Carmichael chronicled it, and now the richness of imagining is preserved for future generations. If you are interested in spirituality, particular in Scotland, you must get this book!

As a follower of the Old Religion, I find this book a valuable glimpse into the roots and source of inspiration. It is far better and more solid scholarship than the vast bulk of modern Pagan reconstructionist writings. I'd recommend this as an essential part of a folk-spirituality book collection.

I've used these prayers in personal meditations as well as sermons. The prayers reveal God's closeness in every act of every day. And the Appendix tells the story of many prayers.

Very helpful as resource material though a bit stretched in it's assumptions of certain myths. All together a good read.

A Treasure Trove of Queer Esoterica!

This book is much more than an exhaustive reference relating to the personalities, events, processes and movements within the realm of gay and lesbian spirituality, it is a pure pleasure to read. The product of meticulous research, this encyclopedia offers detailed yet concise, cross-referenced entries and an index of attributes and traditions as an encouragement to both quick reference and casual browsing. Beyond its obvious usefulness to scholars, this work aims to inspire, entertain and empower, and it is hugely successful in that effort.

It tells a far different story than the exclusively heterosexual roster of saints, sages, demons, demigods and deities that we've all had to live with - and this pantheon is far more fascinating.

The 1,500-odd alphabetic entries ranging from "Aakulujjuusi" to "Zeus" reveal our history, deeply encoded in sacred texts and all-but-forgotten traditions. Just read the entries on the "World Homosexual Movement," the "Order of Chaerona," and the "Han Temple" and you'll realize quickly that we've barely begun to scratch the surface of our old queer race's involvement with the world of the spirit.

A very praiseworthy work!

This book is an exhaustive resource for information about almost everything pertaining to lgbt spirituality, from mythology to people involved in the gay/lesbian spiritual movements. This was a very affirming read, considering the "invisibility" of gay spirituality in modern religions. I'd especially recommend it for queer Pagans, because of the volume of pagan mythological figures discussed...it offers a different resource than the exclusively heterosexual myths and deities used by most pagan groups. Some of the entries will make you laugh...some will make you think...some will inspire you.

This is literally an encyclopedia of LBGT stuff! If you ever wanted to know anything about Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, or Transgender subjects, this is the only book you might ever need!

This book is much more than an exhaustive reference relating to the personalities, events, processes and movements within lgbt spirituality, it is a pure pleasure to read (or in my case, browse through). It tells a far different story than the exclusively heterosexual roster of saints, sages, demons, demigods and deities that we've all had to memorize - and this pantheon is far more fascinating. Just read the entries on the "World Homosexual Movement," the "Order of Chaerona," and the "Han Temple" and you'll realize quickly that we've barely begun to scratch the surface of our old queer race's involvement with the world of the spirit.

the first time i recieved this book it took me about 2 weeks to read it all the way through and i would have to say this is a great book for people are seeking more knowledge about all aspects of what rastafarI is from its origan till its current standings it covers the tip of all subjects that flows on through rastafarian teachings and wisdom comming from someone who knew not much about rastafaI before reading this book i give it a 10 because it gives you info on lots of subjects discussed on rastafarI but leaves much for your mind to want to continue to search out more for yourself

This is the best book I've read on the subject. It is complete and gives the views of various scholars both Rasta and non-Rasta. I keep it as a resource and have read it 3 times.

A very large wealth of information on the rastafarian movement. A very scholarly anthology. Read it three times over and learn more each time! Will use for years.

Chanting Down Babylon is a welcomed addition to the growing literature on Rastafari. This reader sucessfully brings together most of the scholars studying Rastafari, as well as Rastafarians themselves, providing an important insight into Rastafari. The inclusion of articles addressing biblical hermeneutics as well as Rastafari theology begins to fill an important gap in Rastafari scholarship. A real treasure for those interested in learning about Rastafari for the first time, and for those who wish to expand their knowledge of this important religious movement.

I found this work to be one of the most complete on the study of the the Rastafarian movement.The information is well presented and is cohesive and highly informaive. This work is ideal for the new convert or anyone who wants a thorough examination of the faith. I highly recommend it.

This was probably the best book ever. I heard about it because Mr.Garza goes to my church and he got a copy for me and i fell in love with it after the first chapter. The plot pulls you in and captivates you. The character development is awsemoe and the descriptive details make the book so much fun to read. I can't wait for the next ones to come out.

I got to meet Mr. Garza at a signing event in Annapolis, MD this past week. I enjoyed the event and enjoyed the book. I agree with one of the other reviews that the book was an easy read. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. I would like to recommend this book to all fantasy lovers but also to non-fantasy readers like myself. I happen to be at the signing event by chance and ended up becoming a fan.

I really enjoyed this book it kept me coming back for more after I started. It was captivating and exciting I recommend this book to everyone!!

I thought the plot was well thought out. It kept me interested all the way through. I also enjoyed the rich setting of the story. Most important, I was glad to read a fantasy book that wasn't just a bad copy of the classics (Tolkien, ect.), I am sure I will enjoy the second volume just as much.

I fell in love with the characters. Even in such a fantasy environment, I was able to relate to the characters. So many fantasy stories are unable to do that. I enjoyed the pace of the story; it kept hold of me through out. I look forward to the next one.

This book provides an excelent resource of movement and song to assist with meditation and reflection. It is firmly based in the Creation spirituality tradition and affirms alternative spiritualities and way of approaching God.

As a Pagan and musician, I love this book! But you certainly don't have to be Pagan to use and enjoy this extensive collection of spiritual songs -- Many faiths are included here. The book is decidedly geared toward honoring the earth, the elements, the Spirit, and the Spirit within, and is essential for anyone following an Earth religion or who wishes to recognize their spiritual connection to both the Earth and Spirit in their worship. If you organize and/or write rituals for your religious group, you should not be without Circle of Song. The book is well organized, includes notations and sheet music for every song, and even suggests dances that can go along with some songs. Whether you honor Yemaya or Yahweh, God or the Goddess, you will be delighted with this valuable collection of songs and chants.

Circle of Song is a wonderful resource for Earth-based ritual and workshops. It features words and music for 300 Pagan, Native American, African, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, and Jewish songs. It includes instructions for 30 dances which can be used with the songs. There are meditations, background notes, a complete discography and bibliography for sources. No one who uses this kind of material should be without this book

This book provides an excelent resource of movement and song to assist with meditation and reflection. It is firmly based in the Creation spirituality tradition and affirms alternative spiritualities and way of approaching God.

the songs here are gathered from many sources, but they all reflect a real joy. well organized for pagan use. you might also enjoy pagansong. i hope thet all this material will lead more people to use song in ritual and circle!

If you read the other reviews below, you will see that this is a fun and fabulous little story for kids or anyone who enjoys a good Irish story. What especially struck me was the two pages of "Source Notes" that the author put together at the end of the book. She covers T. Crofton Croker, the collector of many "peasants' stories, ballads, and keens" as well as terms that have been touched upon in the story itself. She gives us some great information on the origin of the tales and names of the little people called leprechanes, lurikeen, logheryman, etc. So, read the story of Tom's run-in with a leprechaun for fun and learn some fun information about leprechauns, too.

Leprechaun's are tricksters that can't be outsmarted--at least, that's their reputation. Clever Tom knows this when he accidently comes upon one. So, HE'S not going to be fooled by any trickery. And what does Tom want of this tiny fairy-tale-like creature? The pot of gold that every leprechaun has hidden, which he will take and become rich. Even though leprechauns are tricky, they are honest to a fault, and that's what Tom is counting on.

He captures and forces the leprechaun to make a promise about the whereabouts of his hidden treasure. But leprechauns are known for NEVER giving up their pot of gold. How can this honest fairy promise Tom the location of his "loot" and still fool him so he can't find it? Well, as a leprechaun, he is very clever--that's how. You'll enjoy his cleverness!(Beautiful and humorous pictures, too!)

[This is an Irish folk tale picture book suitable as a read-aloud to pre-school through grade 3, or as an independent read for grades 3-5. It is recommended by the School Library Journal.]

A Non-Workbook, Non-Textbook Approach to Teaching Language Arts: Grades 4 Through 8 and Up

My 5 year old son loves this story (me too). We also have the audio tape giving it even more Irish flavor! I recommend the purchase.

Clever Tom is a big hit with my preschool class of 4 year olds. They laugh outloud as Tom is fooled by the leprechaun. Then, when I have finished reading the story, they beg to hear it again and again!

The only thing more fun for St. Patrick's Day is when we have our leprechaun hunt on the playground and find "leprechaun gold" scattered about the yard! The saddest part is trying to find my own copy so I can share it with my grandchildren at home!

Please hurry and find me a copy of the book Amazon!

Tom Fitzpatrick hears a leprechauns tapping in the woods and catches the little man. The leprechaun agrees to show Tom where his golds is hidden in exchange for his freedom. He takes Tom on a long walk over the country-side to an gigantic field of boliuns. He points to a plant and tells Tom that buried under the earth is his pot of gold. Tom marks the plant with his garder and make the leprechaun swear that he will not remove the garder. The little fellow promises not to take off the marker. Tom races home to get his spade as he plans how he will spend the gold. Appon his return he finds EVERY plant marked with an identical garder. He digs under the plant were he thought he put his marker but finds no gold. He digs all night but to no avail. Years pass and Tom tells the story over and over to the children of the village. He always carries his spade so that the NEXT time he catches the leprechaun he will have his forchune made! A wonderful book; it is the illastations that really sell the story. Linda Shute's leprechaun is so lovable and charming you can't help but root for him!

Mi hijo de tres anos encanta el cuento y los dibujos imaginativos. Quiere leerlo todas las noches.

Our 2-year-old daughter loves this book. She thinks the Night Eater has a carrot for a nose and gets very excited pointing at the "big moon face!" and the "little moon face!"

I, too, love this book. Ana Juan's illustrations delight the eye with delicious colors and wonderful, quirky details. Her writing is equally strong. The story is short, yet Juan's prose is elegant and engaging.

Most importantly, the story is original and entertaining. One can imagine that some ancient people might have believed in the Night Eater. It's a charming story beautifully presented.

The Night Eater has a very important job. He goes around every night snacking on the starts to make room for his friend the sun. Things are good until one day the moon makes the comment that the Night eater is getting a little too large!! This hurts his feelings and so he stops eating the night time stars. Will things ever be the same? What will happen if there is no room in sky for the sun? Read The Night Eater to find out!
.The book had an interesting story line. The illustrations were whimsical and fun to look at.
I would recommend this book. My family and I read it together as a bedtime tale. All members of the family, from my little sister to my grandparents enjoyed the short story.

The Night Eater does a faithful job of consuming each night to make way for the break of day, taking special pleasure in consuming foggy clouds like cotton candy and the dark ones that taste like rich chocolate. An offhand remark from Moon about Night Eater's plump figure causes him to go on a diet and refuse to take one more bite of the night. Darkness ensues along with all its consequences.

This is a beautiful, whimsical tale that is greatly enriched by Ana Juan's divine illustrations. My personal favorite shows the Sun greeting a variety of creatures to wish each one a good morning.

I review so many picture books for children that after a while it becomes difficult to separate the books that I think are "good" from those that I think are "spectacular". I tend to gush over good books. I'm a gusher. But once in a while I hit upon a book, author, or illustrator that is so original and engaging that it is all I can do not to sing their praises in a never ending burst of la-la-las. Ana Juan is one such artist. I'd loved her picture book biography of Friday Kahlo ("Frida" by Jonah Winter) and her illustrations for "Elena's Serenade" by Campbell Geeslin were awe-inspiring. Still, nothing completely worked perfectly well until Ms. Juan came out with "The Night Eater". A kind of commedia dell-arte for the kiddies (complete with a "Harlequin"-like protagonist) the story is a sweet little fable with pictures so jaw-droppingly engaging that I've had hard-core teenagers cooing over the colors. And what greater enticement can I give you than that, I might ask?

The story stars a plump little long-eyelashed fellow eternally clothed in soft pink long-johns, a matching pink nightcap with an iridescent light at its tip, and a red pointed nose that ties nicely onto his face. This would be The Night Eater, and his job is to munch and devour the night-time so that the day can dawn everywhere. Wherever the Night Eater runs (and one assumes that he runs eastwards) that is where the sun comes up. One day though it becomes clear that The Night Eater has eaten so much night that the buttons on his long-johns are fit to burst. The moon mocks his plump status and in a huff our hero refuses to eat any more night. Initially the perpetual darkness amuses the people of the world and they explore the "nocturnal animals and perfumed flowers, whose petals opened only at night". However, a little darkness goes a long way and when the children complain to the Night Eater, he accidentally chews on a bit of star and before you know it he's forgotten why he stopped eating the night in the first place. So the daylight comes back, the world is back to normal, and the Night Eater makes sure to place a little piece of night in his hat, so that he might always remember its sweetness.

Cute enough story. It sort of has the feel of promising children that no matter how dark the night is, there's an adorable little flouncy-trouncy fellow out there who's more than willing to gobble up the darkness. Ms. Juan, a native of Spain, wrote this book herself and her voice shines through with the utmost clarity. That is not why you should buy it though. You should buy it because with this title Ms. Juan has pulled out all the stops and has let her acrylics go absolutely wild. The book is a visual bombshell. You get a small hint of this when you look at the cover and title page, but about the time The Night Eater has skipped past a vibrant green mermaid brushing out her hair, you're hooked. The story almost feels like Juan's gentlest ode to Federico Fellini. In one instance the sun is given the pleasure of saying "Good morning" to everyone. In this shot a babushka, a hat-wearing rabbit, a nun with a birdcage (or possibly just a woman in white), a penguin in a top hat covered in streamers and confetti, a pajama wearing man in a nightcap, a pig, a chicken who has just laid an egg, a 1955 Italian businessman late for work, and a small child with a bowl of porridge all stand in line to say hello to a beaming smiling sun. The sun tips the point of its nose to that of the child with the porridge and the image is so sweet and yet also so stunning that you're left hungry for more. This is a world where animals and children interact constantly. Playing constantly with light, you can see Juan's Picasso and Frida Kahlo influences shining through. The book is a carnival of deepening shades and remarkable tones. Prettiest darned book I ever had the pleasure to own.

Now here's the kicker. Kids will like this book too. I sometimes go on and on about how pretty a book is and completely ignore whether or not children will actually enjoy the story. In this case they'll be just as happy with the tale and mesmerized by the pictures as their adult contemporaries. How could they not be? It's funny and a true treasure on a shelf. I'm not a gambling man by nature (I'm not a man at all, come to think of it) but I'd wager good money that years and years from now copies of "The Night Eater" will still be found in countless homes, libraries, and personal memories.

After some quick on-line research (which is to say, I went to Ms. Juan's website) I determined that she has lots of children's books out there that have not yet been translated into English and offered to the American public. This is a shame and a bother. I call upon every available American publisher to go out there, get her permission, and crank out as many Juan illustrated puppies as they can get their hands onto. She's a treasure, this woman, and "The Night Eater" is one of her loveliest creations. If you cannot for the life of you figure out what to get your niece, nephew, grandchild, or offspring of your former college roommate, this would be your best bet. I love Ana Juan.