Mythology Books

I've read "Behold the Spirit" but it seemed all over the place and it was Alan Watts before his ideas were more developed. This is a very convincing book about how Christianity is about spirituality and transformation as seen through the traditional liturgy.
Great authors to add to this understanding of Christianity is Marcus J. Borg and Thomas Keating.

I first read this book in 1976, after a few years of Christian fundamentalist practice, and it revolutionized my understanding of faith, Christianity and religion. After the demonization of sacramental or liturgical traditions I accepted for a time in Bible-believing circles, Watts enabled me to appreciate the Catholic tradition of my youth as a mystical, universal, even alchemical source of wisdom and liberation for those in search of wisdom.

This book is a comprehensive and thorough, yet narrowly focused study on Christial ritual - specifically the gesticulations and gyrations associated with the Catholic mass. Protestants have always had a very difficult time understanding why Catholics do things the way they do, and now this book might help shed some light on this mystery. Even as a non-Catholic I was able to get a lot out of this book, but it must be approached with an open mind. Anyone who is dead set against the idea of elaborate, symbolic church rituals might find this book to be unfathomable. But if you look into the symbolism and psychological parallelism of these rituals, you will find that there is profound meaning and significace to what might have earlier appeared to be mere suprstitious incantation. This book is worth reading if you are curious as to the deeper philosophic significance of the actions performed at the Catholic mass, and non-Catholic Christians will be able to look into some of the religious secrets they have been missing.

Alan Watts, as many readers know, was a famous popularizer of Asian spiritual traditions (particularly Zen Buddhism) in Britain and America. At least this is the common conception of him. Actually he was also a compelling popularizer (in the best sense) of comparative religion. He often contrasted "Western" religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) with "Eastern" ones (Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism). Of course the first group are also Eastern - West Asian (Israel and Arabia) in their origins. But some readers may not know that Watts was raised as a Christian, and returned to that faith at least once in his later years. In fact, his greatest contribution may be the one he made to Christian spirituality, a tradition he knew even better than Zen Buddhism. His critiques of Christian doctrine as usually (mis)understood are profound and potentially transforming. Therefore I feel that this work "Myth and Ritual in Christianity" and the earlier "Behold the Spirit" are two of his very best. If you have read only his later and better-known works, you may be very surprised by this. But his message of joy in life, consciousness-expansion, and love were never better expressed. This book is particularly recommended to those who (like Watts himself) were raised as Christians but who since have explored Eastern Asian spiritual traditions. All the great truths are hidden in your own back yard - you just have to find them.

This book will have you look at Christianity in a whole new way. You may not agree with him, but if you are truly seeking truth, you must read this book.

The man is deep. He introduced me to a side of the Catholic approach to Christianity I thought was dead. He breathes life into the rituals many of us just regurgitate.

Books like this are great. As you read it, one of two things will happen: 1) your faith will be strengthened (whether by agreement or disagreement) 2) you will realize how weak your faith really is and will desire to strengthen it (perhaps through this book)

Try it, you'll like it!

If I was a betting person, I would bet that this oft told story was the result of a middle aged or older man who was seeking a method of introducing the concept that the troll like features of old age need not discount the nature of the love and affection required to be felt by such persons who prefer the company of fair maidens who might be seduced into giving them that pleasure. Having the ear marks of the fantasy like prominence of isolation and illusion that accompanies old age, and the unlikelihood that such a worn out vision of masculinity might have appeal for the flower of youth, the mind of man can be very cunning, and is often very seductive while preying upon the naive, softhearts of the dew that lies in the hearts of young maidens, fair or not. Drawn in to the care taker role of a kindly, parent-like figure, however disfigured by the ideal model of the Prince that young maidens are taught to favor, the marketing has worked for some years as we can see by the recent wedding of Jack Welch from the much touted, and idealized wedding of his new fair princess, and can be seen in many other instances of fantasized idealism that grace the covers of many celebrity photo magazines meant to send the message of similar outcomes. There has been no sequel, however, from the perspective of the troll or the maiden as society is left to ponder such an unlikely but perhaps sacred alliance. Whether the distinction is holy or not has much to do with the many years of a course of events that most will never know, and few will seek to discover. While the power of logic has never been a part of the romance ideology of love, perhaps our illusions of it are shortsighted and misaligned within the context of the flesh and blood that such a union represents. Where most men might tend to view any male as beast, few women take that position, and measure the man by a broader yardstick in relation to herself, and her experience with the world. From the perspective of the maiden, which is rare, unique insights about her condition are possible to be deduced from her submission in that circumstance and may reflect her reduced array of option, rather than her choice. Few would consider this tale much else but the submission of a highly desirable beauty to the beast she fawns. But is there justice amidst the fantasy? This may well be a modern day tale for women's choice.

Not only is this collection of fairy tales entertaining reading, Zipes goes into the history of the French literary salon and the backgrounds of the fairytales. Wonderful book.

This paperback collection is an abbreviated version of the original hardbound which is now out of print. Even with some of the material missing, this collection is well worth the money. It can be hard to find fairy tale collections that contain the work of the women (such as Beaumont and d'Aulnoy) in the French salons that influenced Charles Perrault. This is one of the best collections, and it includes many of the tales that are mentioned by scholars but hard to locate. None of the stories are watered down and they paint a picture of why fairy tales are an important part of literature. In the end, they are entertaining stories and can be read just for fun, too.

What a lovely collection of fairy tales! People have their favorites from among the French tales; they're familiar and classic, but too often watered down. It's delightful to see a collection of some original "parlor" stories in their beautiful prose, an amazing form of literature that I feel is rather ignored. The introduction gives depth and history to the stories as well.

This is a wonderfull collection. Jack Zipes is unrivalled in his knowledge and understanding of the Traditional stories. Very few people know the entire story of Beauty And The Beast. Most of them don't even know what the story is about or what the true meaning of the story is. Most people assume that the Traditional French stories were told and writen by men. Actually, they were told and writen by French aristocratic women. The majority of the writers in this book are women, while only two of them are men. The women were the ones who put in all of the horrific and gory details into their stories. They came up with all kinds of ways to make their heroines and heroes suffer. Despite what many people believe about the traditional stories (especially the Disney script-writers), not all of them have a happy ending. Some of the stories in this book have either a sad or a tagic ending. the Yellow Dwarf, The Ram, and The Palace Of Revenge are perfect examples. Finally, the magic spell is never broken by the kiss on the lips or saying "I love you". Spells are broken either through an act of violence or through self-sacrifice; the heroines and heroes have to experience a great deal of pain and suffering. The characters are not always able to overcome the terrible and cruel forces that are always persuing and tormenting them. Whatever happens these stories are rich in depth and complexity. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to add to their collection of Traditional stoeies, or anyone who wants to know and understand these stories better. I also reccommend reading J.R.R. Tolkien's lecture/essay On Fairy Stories.

I assume that this book will be a wonderful literary experience to the readers around the world. Mr.Pothen is a kind and nice person. He really impressed me with his story and his excellent writing skills.

The natural beauty of an Indian village has been portrayed realistically in this novel even with the tiniest detail that the reader could view it as if in a movie in front.

Moncy Pothen's hero, Arjunan, is a typical village guy learns Hindu traditions and holy books like Bhagavad-Gita from his parents, in his childhood, and the ancient hero with his same name, Arjuna, inspires him. It is well explained how the unexpected events change his whole path of life when he decides to participate in the social reform. He involves in an extremist group by believing only an armed up rise of the common men would change the corrupt society. He is an educated man, with a respectable job, family and social status, sacrifices everything for the rescue of the exploited and the down trodden. When he returns from jail, regretful about his past, the society does not forgive him and allow him to socialise normally. His good deeds, importance and intention are being scrutinized for a long while.

A woman's helplessness when she looses all hopes in life; at the time of making difficult decisions; when she has to support others in distress and also when she has to choose between the right and the wrong: is shown clearly by the character Ahalya. How the power of woman can be rejuvenated by a node or a small support can be witnessed in the book at a later stage. The woman's role in the society is well explained with many woman characters and it proves without doubt that the woman is not a weaker section in the society and she can stand along side with man in every activity.

Human mind is described with expertise in this book. The way people think and react at life's different circumstances is highlighted realistically. Humour is also applied in various occasions as a part and parcel of the Kerala society. The countless characters in this book represents the cross section of a society, which includes members belong to the countless castes and creeds in India. Their life harmony and the way in which religious fanaticism tries to disrupt it are also explained well. It proves that extremism, whether it is political or religious, is harmful to the society and the common men always stand against that.

The Author shows that love is a combined feeling of security, courage, jealousy, possessiveness, oneness, sharing and caring. True love can face any obstacle when together. Even the smallest of things done for the other can make a big difference.

The unexpected ending of this story also makes it unique.

First of all, as soon as I completed the last lines of the book, tears started rolling down my cheeks. I really wonder why it happened. I think the climax has such an effect on me because basically I am a traditional Indian girl and all Indian girls are same in their heart though some act as if they are not. Beneath the Clouds and Coconut Leaves is a realistic book which gives a good idea about the social and economic conditions of people in Kerala since independence and it wonderfully portraits the feelings of a female heart.

Mr. Moncy Pothen in his Novel, `Beneath the Clouds and Coconut Leaves,' narrates, with ease, the rhythms of uncared, stranded lives in bitterness since the dawn of independence.

In his entire story, he spotted the starving world for love with its human touch in real life. Through out the tale, the panoramic expressions are the aerial outcome of the true nature with the living world and the ecosystem.

We can see the pompous days of feudalism are ending and a new age of scarcity or humbleness awakening and it is the hero, an unexpected source that was instrumental to the fall, comes for the aid with attempts to rescue. In the book, we experience the success of humanity above all the ideologies. It also portrays the political, social and cultural scenario in Kerala, the tiny South Indian State, in its true state.

I wish the domain made by the Author be a great success.

Those who lived in Kerala in the Sixties/Seventies would know what it means to be a Naxal. How many young men/women have sacrificed their lives on the altar of this utopian cause! How many families have suffered, some violently and some in silence! All for a cause that just fizzled out within no time and vanished from people's memory without a trace.

It's not a hitherto unexplored theme, but to my knowledge past initiatives have been in Malayalam language. Here Moncy uniquely portrays the life in a typical Kerala village, its social structure, its pulses and the swings. I'm sure the reader will be overwhelmed by the sentiments Moncy has successfully depicted without losing its innocence and flavor.
Kurien V.
Saudi Arabia

Michel Gagne no solo a regrezado con un nuevo tomo en su serie de libros de fabulas, si no que nos a vuelto a sorprender y diria yo a sobrepasado cualquier expectacion en su arte. Al igual que en los otros titulos, el arte y diseño es exquisito, original y altamente visual, lo que parece haber tomado una nueva ruta, es la tematica intellectual.

Este libro nos lleva a un lugar no tan frecuentado por autores modernos. Gagne, toma un gran riesgo al descender a un nivel altamente personal, tal parece que este libro es un testamento a los dolores y tragedias que el autor a vivido. Su valor triunfa al brindarnos tres historias que mas que entretener, fascinan por su contenido moral y espiritual.

Ojala y Gagne siga esta ruta y continue explorando los laberintos de su ser, de ser asi, tendremos varias sorpresas por las cuales celebrar!

The fourth book in the ever growing collection of Michel Gagne's titles. A whimsical tale of three odd and peculiar characters each dealing with inner issues that are dispalyed in the twisted yet cute and humorous style that only Michel Gagne can bring to story telling. Brings a smile to my face each and everytime I read it, especially the octupus story.

Another delightful surprise from Michel Gagne. Both in format and in its dark subject matter. I enjoyed the stories but would have wished them a little longer. Although I initially enjoyed the quick surprise endings, Each fantastical character created was, I thought, deserving of a longer treatment to their story. The illustrations are impeccable like in the previous books. And as always, the message is vividly rendered in the unique style of the author.

I have all of Mr. Gagne's books and I have to say that this is his best to date. The Bird, the Spider and The Octopus could be seen as a departure from his first 3 works but I suspect that it is a sign of what is to come. I anxiously await his next book.

If you've ever read any of Michel Gagne's previous books, then be prepared for a complete surprise! This book is something of a departure, taking a funnier and slightly more twisted approach to storytelling. The volume's tone can best be summed up by reading Michel's biography at the back of the book - "Michel Gagne was born in Canada. He lost an eye at the age of twelve." Composed of a series of three bizarre and humorous short stories about a bird, a spider, and an octopus, the book features Michel's always wonderful-looking art.Inside, there's a number of drawings of familiar animals - birds, bats, rats, crabs, etc. - but the way Michel draws them is anything but conventional. His drawings deliver a completely unique take on these animals, unlike the traditional and safe interpetations you find most other illustrators using. If you like Michel's work, or want to see some great illustrated stories, then this is a must-have addition to your library.

I loved the pictures! i gave it to my nephews for christmas to read with their parents...

I bought this book for my son and found it a joy to read myself. Too many books talk down to kids and over simplify the story. This book doesn't do that and communicates the story effectively. The artwork is intricate, filled with jewels of details and rich colors. I wish more books (children's and adult) were crafted with such love and care. I make a rule to only buy books that I would want to read myself for my child. This book is one to keep for the long run.

I read this book to my daughter's second grade class (7 & 8 yr. olds) after a recent New England Blizzard. The beautiful, poetic words and colorful, intricate pictures mezmerized the class. The children asked that I continue to hold up the pictures after I had read each page so they could take in all the details of the drawings. The full page with the drawing of the Robe has only one sentence, but I held up the picture for at least 3 minutes! There is so much detail. The children gasped and cheered at certain points in the story and clapped when the book was finished. We all loved this book.

A story told to explain the Northern Lights. It is about a tribe called "the People Who Fear the Winter Night", and member of their tride, named Teune, who is a great robe maker. During the winter nights, everyones fire went out because of the Blizzard. Teune puts all her robes on her fire to keep it roaring. It destroys the Blizzard. Later, the Blizzard visits her in her dreams. He tells her that if he makes him a new robe, he will give her tribe a great gift.
So she goes out and starts making him his ice robe. After the leader of the tribe realizes that she is making a robe for the Blizzard he gets angry and threatens her. But before he destroys the robe, and Blizzard takes it. In return, the Blizzard gave them the Northern Lights, so they don't have to spend all that time in the dark.

This book's magnificent art, done in batik, catches the eye first, but the story is equally powerful and lyrically written.

The People Who Fear the Winter Night fear Blizzard's terrible storms most of all. They rejoice when sparks from Teune the robemaker's fire destroy his robe and leave him powerless. Teune, however, feels only sadness. In a dream, Blizzard promises a great gift for her people if she will sew a new robe for him. Teune risks the anger of her people to do what she knows is right.

Nothing in the book indicates whether this is an original story or a retold folktale. Sabuda does use traditional folk motifs in the art.

I bought this book for the projects I do in my classroom close to Halloween. It is already peaking interest on my desk along with other books dealing with Halloween.

This is an older view of Halloween. It gives an excellent overview of Halloween and gives a splendid idea about the spooky goings on during the late 1800s and early half of the 1900s. I recommend it.

Hallowe'en aficionado number one right here. Skeleton Jack was based on me. I thought there was nothing I didn't already know about my holiday, but apparently I missed a few things from the turn of the century.

Be prepared though. This book is wonderful as a chunk of history re-printed in the glow of a new millennium, but it's also dated in some ways of thought. That the people of Better Days Books left the text intact instead of editing it is very admirable. You'll be reading history as it was written, not as it has been changed to be.

Sadly, despite being very educational and exciting, Ms. Kelley is a rather poor author. The text is brief on subjects and jumps around considerably. Still an enjoyable read, but I found myself wanting more on subjects that only received a mention.

Overall, for the very reasonable price of this paperback, you can't go wrong. If you're even the slightest bit interested in how Hallowe'en was celebrated in and around the author's time, as well as speculation on customs from long before her time, definitely purchase this book.

Tara Conrad praised this book very well in her review, so I won't rehash the reasons The Book of Hallowe'en is a great work of folklore and fun. I do want to point out, though, that her review refers to the Better Days Books edition, which is considerably cheaper and has an awesome cover. It's the same book on the inside, so save yourself a few bucks! This review will likely populate to all editions of this book by all publishers, so please note that the Better Days Books edition has "Lulu.com" listed as publisher (I don't know why) on the product page. But you'll know you're there when you see the cover - an adorable Halloween owl sitting atop an old-fashioned, round-eyed jackolantern. And a list price of $13.95!

Attention Wiccans and pagans! The Book of Hallowe'en is probably the best history of the Samhain holiday ever compiled. Ruth Edna Kelley really did her homework, and the literal centuries of folklore gathered in this book, from all over Europe and America, is a priceless source of information every person with a magickal inclination should have in their library.

I was so thrilled to discover that this book is back in print! My grandmother owned a copy, and I read it over and over again at Halloween when I was a little girl. It is the ultimate history of the Halloween holiday, from ancient times to the early Twentieth Century. The author, Ruth Edna Kelley, was herself just 25 or so when the book was originally published in 1919. I'm not a very good review writer, but I wanted to let anyone who is considering buying this book know that this is a very nice edition, and the cover is just adorable. Everything I remember from childhood is there, except for a few blurry black and white pictures that were never very exciting to begin with. What makes this book great are the words, the accounts of how Halloween was celebrated in various countries, especially the Victorian Era games people played at parties, including about a dozen "tests" for discovering the name or seeing the face of your true love in a vision. I am crazy for anything having to do with this era, and re-reading The Book of Hallowe'en after all these years was like stepping backward in time and really being there. The accounts are so vivid, it really makes you want to just live now the way they did then. With this book, you could accomplish it. Everything you would need to have an authentic Victorian Halloween party today is right here. Best of all, it's just $13.95. I've seen used copies selling on Amazon for over a thousand dollars! I'm just tickled, really! This is a great book!

Written with sly with and an incisive understanding of the legendary, this book explains everything (almost everything) you could want to know about living in the world of faerie tales. Each entry is a gem, and the appendix has more outre information than you could shake a rat at. Fits well with Brian Froud's Faeries.

I read this book 30 years ago when it was called "The Glass Harmonica." Organized like a dictionary, it's a tour of the world of fantasy, myth, and history -- with wonderful pen and ink drawings by the author. The prose is a delight. An example: "If captured in battle, Ransom above and beyond horse and armor must be paid. While it is being collected from the Serfs and Peasants of your fief, or the subjects of your kindgom, you must expect to languish either in a high tower or in a dark dungeon." Learn about dragons, bsilisks, tournaments, body snatchers, quicksand, friars, warlocks, bedbugs, viscounts, and baronets.

The thing to remember about THE BOOK OF WEIRD/THE GLASS HARMONICA is it's a collection of cliches, and intentionally so. Byfield boils down fairy tales, fiction, and popular belief into a tongue-in-cheek categorization of the medieval fantasy world, spelling out the precise difference between Giants, Ogres, and Trolls, and stating exactly what a self-respecting Hero should and should not do when setting out on a Quest. This book should appeal to kids, role-playing gamers, writers who want to know what to avoid, and anyone who enjoys fantasy, fairy tales, or a good chuckle. I had the paperback WEIRD first and, like another reviewer, wore it out until I was lucky enough to find a hardcover HARMONICA. This deserves to be a classic reference.

So you don't know the differences between giants, trolls, and ogres? How about oafs, churls, and louts? Did your liberal arts education not cover which part of a castle wall is properly called a merlon or a crenel? Or perhaps your science background failed to equip you with the knowledge needed to distinguish fat from tallow or parchment from vellum? Are you unsure if a particular wizard is trustworthy?

Then you clearly need a copy of the splendid reference by called the Book of Weird, a venerable stockpile of arcane knowledge. The author, Barbara Ninde Byfield, has termed her work, with both modesty and accuracy, as "Being a most Desirable Lexicon of the Fantastical. . ."

The often tongue-in-cheek entries are truly both informative and often hilarious. For instance, we learn not only that are churls "ill bred, and very likely low born" but also are provided with the insight that "If they serve beer, they slop it: if they drink beer, they belch."

Byfield even provides an appendix of sorts of "Useful Information" wherein you can learn about weights and measures (of course, you may already know that a firkin = 56 pounds and that an ell spans 4 feet), a list of legal holidays (including various Sabbats), and some medicinal advice that may not be for the squeamish.

This is the sort of book that will improve one's spirits. It's clever, smart, and fun. My only regret is that my large format copy of the 1973 edition finally fell apart because of continued use. Still, this smaller format version is worth finding and hanging onto. Also, you might find an even earlier edition published under the somewhat confusing and less descriptive title The Glass Harmonica.

Gotta go perform some rites. . .

After reading a brief description of THE GLASS HARMONICA (as this book was originally known) back in the 1970s, I searched for it off and on for 20 years. When I finally found it in the 1990s, you might expect the wait to have created an expectation the book could never meet. But it did. THE BOOK OF WEIRD is an absolute delight for anyone who enjoys fantasy, history and myths and legends, spiced with a playful sense of humour. It is also surprisingly useful, particularly if you are a writer of fantasy. One of my absolute favourites.

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.

This book is a masterpiece of clarity and readability. The information is available for the first time in one volume; and is accurate, accessible and poetic. A tour de force from this erudite scholar. I pick it up to find specific information about a particular goddess; and find myself reading on strictly for pleasure. A must-have book for feminists, historians of goddess traditions, buddhists, and teachers of Comparative religion.

I savor my time to read "Buddhist Goddesses of India". The energy it brings me is very specific to the Goddess I am reading about. It must have been quite a journey writing it, connecting so deeply with each Goddess. Reading the book helps me stay centered in myself in what feels like a masculine world. Anyone like myself, who is sensitive to the many currents of energy in the world, or who would like to experience the energy of the Goddess, will have a good time with this book. It is also very useful for practitioners of Buddhism.

This book is more than worth it for the pictures alone. The images of Buddhist goddesses are simply gorgeous--whether clear black and white, or glorious color. Representing architectural elements, reliefs, gates, sculptures, painted cloth, and more, these images provide an invaluable visual document of the female images of divinity populating Buddhist history.

Even so, the book offers far more. Shaw not only gathers these visual images for us, she helps us understand them--why they exist, why they appear as they do, and what they teach us about Buddhist thought and practice. For each goddess, Shaw considers the visual representations alongside the goddess's appearances in literature, history, ritual practices, and other Hindu and folk traditions. Moving among these various representations, Shaw creates compelling accounts of each deity's religious significance. She also documents change over time, charting the ascension of goddess figures through three stages of Buddhist history, early, Mahayana, and Tantra. The female Buddhas of Tantra occupy the third section of the book. And all along the way, Shaw deftly moves from persuasively engaging issues in Buddhist scholarship to telling vivid stories about the goddesses themselves.

This comprehensive, accomplished book is for everyone and anyone who is interested in Buddhism, India, goddesses, South East Asia, Indian art and architecture, comparative religions, or the religious significance of art in general. Its stories and pictures engage and delight. At the same time, it is a must-read for scholars in all these fields for the ways in which it stretches and prunes our understanding of Buddhism. As Shaw persuasively documents, there is far more to the tradition than teachings of renunciation. Equally integral to the tradition are life-affirming, female-celebrating expressions of wisdom, creativity, and devotion.

This magnum opus will remain a serious resource for information about Buddhist Goddesses of India for decades. The scholarship is impeccable. Not only does it bring numerous texts and information into English for the first time, it explicates vast amounts of material loaded with insightful interpretations that only an expert authority can provide. This text will also reward those seeking inspiration from the Buddhist pantheon of goddesses. The prose is lyrical, compelling, and transports the reader into the powerful and colorful worlds of these ancient goddesses.

Ms. Shaw is an impeccable scholar whose transcendent writing captures the imagination. This inspired text is a compilation of unparalled research on an amazing array of Buddhist deities. Beautiful book.