Cultural Books

A beautifully written and very important work on Islam: "It is the margins that determine the world's shape"

Peter Lamborn Wilson, often writing under the pseudonym `Hakim Bey' is a social theorist, essayist and poet, best known for first proposing the concept of the Temporary Autonomous Zone (the `TAZ'), based on his historical review of pirate society. After studying at Columbia University, he traveled extensively in the mideast, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal whilst studying Tantra in West Bengal and visiting many Sufi shrines and masters. In 1971 he undertook extensive research on the Nimatullahi Sufi order funded by the Marsden Foundation of New York. During 1974 and 1975 he was consultant in London and Tehran for the World of Islam Festival and in 1974 became director of English language publications at the Imperial Iranian Academy of Philosophy in Tehran, and was editor of Sophia Perennis, the academy's journal.

His writings include "The Drunken Universe: An Anthology of Persian Sufi Poetry" and "Scandal: Essays in Islamic Heresy."

In "Sacred Drift: Essays on the Margins of Islam" ("SDEMI"), Wilson demolishes Islam's image as monolithic, reactionary, fundamentalist, puritanical, and superficial, postulating a collection of heresies, heterodox subsects, cultures of resistance, reform and renewal that exist, and have since the beginning existed, within Islam's ambit.

The reader is presented with the fascinating story of "Black Islam" in this country: readers interested in African-American religion will especially enjoy the essay "Lost/Found Moorish Time Lines: In the Wilderness of North America." The author offers what may be the best essay to date on Noble Drew Ali (and of his assassination at the hands of American law enforcement, the violent reward for his struggle for "love, truth, peace, freedom, and justice"), the Moorish Science Temple of America and the Moorish Orthodox Church, along with newly acquired information on the relationship between Moorish Science, Elijah Muhammed (founder the Nation of Islam) and Freemasonry.

One superbly written essay deals with the place of "Iblis" (Satan) and the role of Satanism in esoteric Islam while another offers a scathing critique of the nature of authority and the place of sexual oppression and misery in modern puritanical Islam. The title essay, "Sacred Drift," beautifully elaborates the history of Sufi peripateticism from Kabir to Ibn Khaldun and beyond. This work takes on a romantic view of Islam and that view is taken to exotic extremes, but it offers a much-needed relief from the usual academic propaganda and the banality of most Western views of Islam as elaborated in the media.

The tone of SDEMI is scholarly with copious footnotes and references and a complete bibliography, but it is far from an overly-technical or laborious read: it is, rather, a pure pleasure and Lamborn's writing style engages the reader thoroughly.

SDEMI is a great book and a very important one - one of several by a truly towering intellect and almost peerlessly talented writer: Peter Lamborn Wilson will surely distinguish himself as one of the `beautiful minds' of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. SDEMI holds fast to the author's notion that it is the margins that mold the shape of the world.

Peter L. Wilson is amazing. this book touches on a subject that few have taken up, a seemingly homogenous religion (Islam) and its many "heretical" traditions. also important information on "fringe" movements w/in the U.S., the whole Noble Drew Ali. this book made me happy to be alive.

A great book about the idea that it's the margins who mold the world, using as a parameter the history that has interested many: the history of the assassin, whose leader in the midle age declared himself God on Earth. Starting the book by telling all the story of how islamism has come to America, he draws a good picture of his ideas and life's contradictions.

If you thought that Islam was just a bunch of fellows in white thobes and headdresses running anround oppressing people, this fun and educational little book will help expand your horizons! Another truely excellent title put out by City Lights Books, author Peter Lamborn Wilson covers some of the more...colorful patches in the tapestry of Islam. This book deals with Muslim Thinkers who for one reason or 'tother, are generally considered heretics by many of the larger sects of Islam. We are privalleged to meet Ibn Arabi and the Noble Drew Ali, and delve into subjects such as Satanism in Islam, sexuality and authority in Sufism, and more. The volume includes poems and enjoyable illustrations, photos, and calligraphy throughout.

As a note to anyone with a specific interest in African-American religious figures in U.S. history, the essay "Lost/Found Moorish Time Lines: In the Wilderness of North America", Wilson offers what may be the best essay to date in ANY publication, on the Noble Drew Ali and the Moorish Science Temple of America. Included is information about the relationship between the Moorish Science Temple, and Elijah Muhammed, who founded the Nation of Islam. Lots of NEW information in this essay alone, as with the others in this book...did you know about the connection between Islam, Masonry, Shriners, and Moorish Science? Wilson includes footnotes and references with his work, and there is a complete bibliography at the end of this volume.

The tone of this book is scholarly, it is by no means a sordid "tell all" work. You won't find proselytizing or propaganda in this volume. If you're tired of the same old repetitive drivel from the same old droning finger-wagging sources, give this book a read. I suspect you will appreciate the time you spend while journeying through its pages.

Contrary to much popular opinion of Islam as a monolithic giant, in its midst are the 'heretics' that put the fun back in religion. Considering that such figures as Jesus and Muhammad were considered 'heretics' in their day the title is actually a compliment.

I picked this book up in a second hand bookstore on a whim. I have revisited it several times and continue to do so often. At first it appeared dark, mysterious, foreign, pointless. But as I continued to explore it became more and more obvious that the light of the Divine makes its way through these pages and this Divine light I swear is grinning like the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland.

Islam is diverse, vast, deep and this book explores some of those areas in the remote regions of both the physical and the spiritual world with style and wit and just a bit of a knowing smile. Well worth the adventure.

In order to rightfully qualify as a "definitive" type art book it must posses certain features. (1) - Quality 4 color reproductions true to the original artwork. With a high volume of reprints spanning the course of the artists productivity. (2) - Exemplary narrative text by qualified authorship. Indeed this comprehensive large edition triumphs in these requirements. . . . . . . Robert Descharnes' (the principle author) intimate knowledge stems from his 40 year personal relationship with Dali. Plus his own renouned contributions to art journals make this an interesting read. The reproductions are first-rate. This exact same book had previously been printed (1994) in a smaller format. And contrary to the above amazon stats; this is an 2006 edition. The colors are more accurate in this new edition. This is especially noted in the reproduced paper drawings. And 'Sfumato' was executed using a candle flame to scorch/smoke the paper. Beautifully reproduced here while it was blue in the previous edition. In 'Invention of the Monsters' you can make out the fine marblized grain of the sarcophagus table. In no other text in my Dali collection (#8) is this evident. Yet in 'The Cosmic Athletes' the intracranial contents of one figure is pitch black where it should have tea brown striations. These nuances may be too subtle to nitpick, but worth mentioning. . . . In 1984 Descharnes put out a gigantic sized $$$$ volume. The colors duller. The text good, but scattered. It did include some rare poster projects. None the less this 2006 edition proves to be a wonderful art book. Quoting Dali I'm sure he would agree; "Dali lovers could have sat down at table to feast on me!".

If you ever saw a painting from Dali and want to have a source to go and look, dig and be surprised, then this is the book.
I am very happy with this book. I made some research before buying this, and this is far the best.
Maybe you are not an arts fan but you like Dali paintings, then this is the book you want.
Highly recommendable

I have many books on Dali and his artwork. Some I have bought, some others have bought for me, but I was given this book as a gift, and I love it. I have decided that I do not need any of the other books on him, this one has all the famous pieces and more, some of the pictures I never even knew that he had created. Plus it is very informative. This is an amazing book, I would recommend anyone interested in surrealism to buy this book, for its price, it is a steal!

Well, at nearly 6kg, a whap in the head with this thing would certainly loosen some screws. That's not what I meant, though.

It's huge, beautiful, and encyclopedic. It covers Dalí's entire career, with all of the different stages he went through in creating his art and himself. There's just too much to try to summarize here - the book takes over 1600 photos to illustrate his life. Most of them depict Dalí's art or Dalí himself (I still suspect that he lived his entire life as a work of performance art). Others depict influences on his art. Some show work by other artists, for contrast or as part of Dalí's heritage. A few show features of the natural world, a rock formation, for example, that the alchemy of Dalí's magic transmuted into new visual elements.

And, throughout, there is Gala - Dalí's wife, agent, manager, muse, model, and tour guide for his visit to planet Earth. I hate the phrase that would call Gala his "better half," but I'm sure that Dalí would have been incomplete in many ways without her. Certainly, his finished works owe much to the way she inspired him.

I fault this wonderful work for only one thing, but one that I find maddening: there is no index. In partial compensation, end matter lists each photo or work of art, in numerical order as they appeared in the book, with provenance and other information about any art shown. A bibliogrpahy would have been nice, too - but no index! With a book like this, it almost feels as if the last twenty pages had been ripped out.

Don't let that bit of pedantry get in the way of enjoying this marvelous collection, though. You might want to supplement this book with some of Dalí's own writing, such as The unspeakable confessions of Salvador Dali or Diary of a Genius, to name only a few. I can't imagine that you'll want another display of his artwork, except maybe the lithos.

-- wiredweird

"Salvador Dali: The Paintings" is quite impressive. It's one of Taschen's finest books, those thousand-dollar limited editions notwithstanding. Thankfully, this massive collection is priced within the range of poor graduate students like myself.

If you're like me, you may think you have a pretty good idea about what a Dali painting looks like. Everyone knows the "melting clock" style, but after spending some time with this collection, I was surprised at my ignorance. Dali painted in so many varied styles, that I couldn't believe it. He's painted in most every style from baroque to impressionism to abstract expressionism and more.

I was taken aback by this and began to question whether or not he actually had an artistic voice of his own. Sometimes when an artist seems to cover a wide range of styles, it's no more than compensation for having no voice of their own. However, after a bit more study, I'm happy to report that this is not the case. No matter what style he adopts, it manages to gently subvert it, thereby putting his unique stamp on everything he does. When you look at how he can so skillfully master any given style and then twist its visual language, it's no wonder he's one of the great artists of the 20th century.

All this is to say, you'll most likely be surprised at what you find in this collection. Thankfully, there is excellent commentary along with the paintings, so you have some historical and critical context. As for the reproductions themselves, they are stunning. Taschen's reputation for quality is once again reaffirmed. The set is about 13" by 10", making the reproductions nice and big.

I could go on, but it's not necessary. If you're interested in Dali, you need this wonderful collection. You'll enjoy many hours of strange and beautiful work.

I first read "Satanism and Witchcraft" in 1970, more than thirty years ago, and I still recall how enthralled I was by this incredibly dramatic and engaging history of the development of superstition in the Middle Ages. In fact, I used it as a source-book for one of my plays, "From All Things Evil," many years later.
Jules Michelet may not be the most accurate historian (in fact much fault has been found with his methods) but boy, does he ever tell a good story! Reading it again after all these years, I still have trouble putting it down.
This imaginative recreation of the Dark Ages is filled with pity for the innocent rural women of the time, when Christianity was trying to beat down the centuries old customs of honoring the nature spirits. Michelet traces the evolution of Satan from the gentle Puck of Greek origin, to the fully formed Goat-Headed Pan that became his primary image in the Middle Ages. We realize that the image we have of Satan is largely a construct of the Church, and not incidentally, of the woodcut pamphlets that so horrified and entertained the cloistered monks of the day, the precursor of modern horror fiction. Much of the misinformation we have of the horrors of that era, are the result of these pamphlets. But, as they say, perception often trumps truth, and this was perhaps never so common as in the Medieval Period.
Michelet has no love for the Medieval Catholic Church, but he has great sympathy for it's victims. He sees the Inquisition as far more political and economic than spiritual, as indeed it was. In the Twelfth through the Fifteenth Centuries especially, the Church was corrupt, greedy and power-hungry and many of its own reformers wrote vociferously against its abuses. The victims, most often, were women. Lonely, aged, poor and powerless women whose only offences were oddity at a time when crops failed or milk spoiled.
But, even more engaging than the evolution of Satan, is the evolution of these daughters, wives and mothers during the period, always under the governance of either their fathers, husbands, or in old age, sons, the woman of the house struggled to find any little thing that she could call their own. In many instances, since the "five senses world" offered her so little, her solace was in the imagination, in the "Otherworld" of myth and fairy story. The denizens of that world comforted her loneliness and kept her from despair.
Most moving, to me, is the famous chronicle of the unfortunate Charlotte(or is it Catherine?) Cadiere at the hands of her confessor, Fr. Jean Baptise Girard. Michelet pulls out all the stops on this one.
Michelet's writing is as lush and as engaging as any of the master storytellers of the Nineteenth Century, no spare "journalistic" narrative here! "Satanism and Witchcraft" is intended to sweep the reader away on wings of high prose. It is an incredibly moving journey from cover to cover.

This book is breataking in it's lyrical prose and subject matter. It reads almost like a grand novel.

I honestly have read nothing like it, ever! I have 2 copies of it, the 1st one I got was so large and I wanted to tote it around with me so I got a small PB version.

This is a not to be missed study, story, fairytale like work.

This book isn't so much a history book as it is a book by an individual Satanist elaborating his own historically-based reasons for joining the Devil's side. This book predates the Church of Satan by over a century, and forms the bases of the attitudes and ideas of "Michelet Satanism."

Satan as Hero? Michelet a Satanist? The book is the basis for a group of Michelet Satanists? Oh for pete's sake. What some people think is "real" continues to astound me, and you'd think after all these years my astounder would have been pretty much astounded out. But no. Once again, someone expresses a belief so unfounded and so, well, stupid, there I go, getting astounded again. Too bad they wrote it yonks ago. Chances are they won't be reading this. In any case, this book, of which I have an ancient falling apart copy with a truly lurid cover, is a brilliant bit of historical writing. No pulling punches, no shying away from what the Church might think or say (and there was a time not so long ago, one had to be damned careful of old Popey), this book stands even now as a Classic on the Dark Ages. Were we nuts then? You bet. Are we nuts now? Yes. In a different kind of way, but getting nuttier by the day. Are we headed for a new Dark Age? Might be. Timely this book, no matter how long ago it was written. Dripping with blood and lust and hypocrisy and cruelty...that was us. Now we're dripping with greed and a casual indifference to the suffering of others, not to mention the suffering of animals and the earth itself. What do we care when scads of us are so crazed we think something called the Rapture is coming to take us away.

Satan is here and Satan is us.

Some stuff never quits. And, it seems some stuff never starts, when it should, anyway. This book is a great example of both, I think. Strangely contemporary in its impact, this book is a startlingly empathic study of, well - oppressed women way back then - I mean just ordinary women trying to live their lives. These women are much more like us than is the society around them; I owe this emphasis much to the genius of Michelet. Not to be read by thrill seekers but by lovers of humanity and seekers of sociological truth, I guarantee you a very rich experience indeed. I'm a community radio producer and on my next show (just before Hallloween) I am going to try to read excerpts from this book mixed with pieces from Richard Thompson and Maddy Prior; any other suggestions?

This is one of the best books about Louis I've read and the reason is simple. Giddins clearly lays out the reasons why Pops was the greatest influence on modern music that this country has produced. His love for the man and the music comes through on every page. This is a wonderful almost poetic homage to a great and deserving artist. I loved the Bergreen biography and rated that 5 stars as well. That book is a fine chronological story of a fascinating life. This book is a musical biography that truly captures the essence of Louis Armstrong as well as anything written posthumously can be expected to. If you're a fan of Louis Armstrong you cannot afford to miss this. If you are curious as to why Louis Armstrong has become such an American icon this book will provide the answer.

This book is brilliantly put together with great photos, newly found and well-crafted biographical information, and personal writings from Armstrong himself. It's a joy to read from cover to cover. Amazingly, it gets more interesting and fun to read a second, and third time. For any lover of Louis Armstrong this book is a must! Gary Giddins has written a great book. Look for his biography on Bing Crosby (Volume one)!!!

Louis Armstrong is one of the central figures along with Duke Ellington of Giddins's incredible Visions of Jazz, and that sent me to Satchmo, a mindblowing collection of photographs and a biographical and musical discussion that brings the man and his work to life. Although Giddins covers some of the same ground here as in Visions, it is a far more expansive study built on the idea that Armstrong was at once a great artist and a great entertainer and that his role in one area did not diminish his role in the other. The pictures are remarkable, and numerous excerps from Armstrong's own writing show what a decent and joyful man he was. Highly recommended.

Who knew that someone from such humble beginnings could become one of the greatest trumpeters and entertainers of all time? Well, meet Louis Armstrong. He came from the wrong side of the tracks, in a "red light district." Only in Satchmo: The Genius of Louis Armstrong by Gary Giddens can this be discovered. This book was published by De Capo Press on January 16, 2001. The story is inspirational, showing that anyone can become famous, from the most humble beginnings.

Louis Armstrong's story is an example of the life one can create in America. Being born into such poor conditions, it was amazing he could rise from pennies to diamonds. However, he had another disadvantage, being black. This story demonstrates anyone can be successful, no matter what race or ethnicity.

The story opens with a description of the doonies of New Orleans. The time was 1908, the year of Louis Armstrong's birth. The neighborhood was horrible, nothing but criminals and prostitutes. His own sister became a prostitute. However, even though most in his family were failures, he would show the world that he would not become one.

The following is a list of the main characters:

Louis Armstrong: Jazz trumpeter, and soon to become one of the most unforgettable voices in the world.

Mayann: Louis' older sister, who helped raise him, became a prostitute, but then repented as her brother became more famous.

There are many other characters, including his first wife, Daisy. He later married three more times. His home life was not so hot. He had many fights with his wives, and ended-up leaving each one for another.

Louis' life grew more successful as he moved on. Even when Rock and Roll the big hit on the pop charts, he was able to make a huge comeback. He had many hits, such as "What a Wonderful World." Earlier in his career, he would seldom be allowed to sing. He would play second fiddle to many different bands. Whenever Louis had the chance to play and sing in front of an audience, they adored him. However, his bandleaders always held him back.

The best part of the book was when he finally got his chance. He quit the band he was a member of and started his own group. He recorded his first song, "Lazy River." The people running the studio thought this man will not go anywhere. However the song hit number one. An overnight sensation was born.

Satchmo: The Genius of Louis Armstrong will stay popular because it is a loving portrait of a man who would change the face of music forever. It is a wonderful example of the American Dream, with a happy ending.

Shouldn't the term "genius" be reserved for names like Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven? Does the term even come close to fitting Louis Armstrong? Absolutely. If you have any doubt as to Armstrong's place in music history, pick up this book and dive in. Giddins embraces not only the talent and genius of Armstrong, but also the humor, warmth, and generosity of the man. `Satchmo' is not so much a biography of the jazz pioneer as it is a celebration of the man's gift to the world: his music.

Giddins follows Armstrong's early days in New Orleans to his final days of touring and recording. The book focuses heavily on Armstrong's music, but readers won't need a degree in music to understand what Giddins is saying. The author quotes copiously from Armstrong himself, giving us an in-depth look at who Armstrong was and how he thought about music, race relations, friends, wives, and his philosophy on life.

`Satchmo' is a perfect introduction to the wonderful world of Louis Armstrong. If you want to know if a piece of non-fiction works, ask yourself after reading if you'd like to learn more about the subject. I warn you - after reading `Satchmo' you'll want to read more AND listen to each recording mentioned by Giddins...over and over and over. And you'll do it. And the songs won't ever grow stale. And you'll hear something different each time. That's the sign of genius.

190 pages

My heart soared when I saw the cover of this book. Yes, I was drawn to communal life in Taos back in the late sixties and early seventies. I lived with the Family. I still dream of going home to the Family. Yes, this book is true and accurate - as much as a memory can be. There is always more, like the night the Indians turned the hot springs cold. This book is wonderful archive of this time and place. Thanks Iris for helping me remember a time when belonging was more important than haveing.

Scrapbook Of A Taos Hippie is a biographical narrative of the some of the agrarian hippies of the 60's who attempted to live the Aquarian Age in Taos. The author's memoirs contain 3 years of colorful experiences. How did the dream play out? In the end, did practicality supersede idealism? What were the chief obstacles? Why was Taos important? You will be left with more questions after you arrive at the author's answers to these. Many black and white photos and topical news sources' stories decorate this album-like book. The author says she wrote it in response to her children's request to tell them about her hippie days. Scrapbook Of A Taos Hippie is more than a nostalgic look at a time and life now past. It captures the bitter poignancy of the day. It will appeal to specialized interests audiences.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

As a veteran of communal life in the 60's, I truly appreciate the authenticity--and pure fun--of Iris Keltz's book. The photos, articles, memoirs, and hippie artwork take you right to the spirit of the times. What a great trip!!

About half way through this book, I got the bright idea of listing all the people mentioned in it that I knew personally, had met, or knew of. When the number reached 50, I stopped counting. It's easier to count the people in it that I DON'T know - on the fingers of one hand. Three of my oldest and dearest friends are featured here, one pictured on the cover. So I can't be unbiased and objective about these "tribal tales from the heart of a cultural revolution." I've lived them and loved them, so for me, it's a manifesto.

It enters you into a movie of life in those days around Taos. A rainbow of different voices speak. And the voiceover of the narrator is sure and true. Most delightful to me was remembering things I'd all but forgotten - like the Oriental Blue Streaks (a band), Da Nahazli (a hip school), Old Martinez Hall (a place, and the summer solstice at New Buffalo (a happening). Here in these pages, I've found people and places I haven't thought about for a long time - Feather, Preacher, Pabla, Teddy the Juggler, Hotsy Totsy, the Stragecoach Hot Springs, the General Store, peyote meetings on the mesa, Little Joe and Henry Gomez. It all comes back in color and glory and story and song, and it's food for the heart.

"I was always on the hunt for a mythological explanation of the world," says Keltz. "We were reverting to an old form - tribalism - but in a very new way. We would not be a tribe because of lineage, race, language, or tradition. We were a rainbow of people becoming a tribe because we had a collective belief in an alternative to materialism, greed, military power and an unpopular war fought using our brothers, schoolmates and boyfriends."

Not that there weren't some down times, hard times, foolish mistakes and even dangerous blunders. The author makes that clear. We were feeling our way, making it up as we went along. It was colored funny and fun and scary and serious. We knew that the only way to change the world was to change ourselves first. And we did that. None of us who lived through those times are the same people today.

I did catch some inaccuracies - but those are all in the memories of individual voices here. None of them are egregious errors or deliberate slights or misrepresentations as those often found in other chronicles of this time. Somebody said, "If you remember the '60s, you weren't there."

When you're living the life from day to day, it can seem ordinary. You chop wood and haul water, you cook oatmeal for the kids, you gather watercress and rose hips by the rio, but when you step into the world of this book, and the author does her magic for you, the patina of years transforms it into a whole round thing - like a soap bubble in the sun.

I learned a lot about what I'd missed - the hippie New Mexico oracle, "Fountain of Light" and the hippie-made Bicentennial silver and gold concha belt that was worth many thousands (but priceless really) and destined for the Bicentennial 1978 exhibit at the Smithsonian - but was stolen. I slept through all that but sure am glad to know about it now.

There's no index in this, so you can't look up any nouns, but after reading the whole thing, I think I understand why Iris didn't do an index. The story, the saga, is greater than its individual parts and greater than the sum of its parts.

Says Keltz, "We were the critical mass that could change the direction of our capitalistic society" and, "...we were unafraid of our inconsistencies, a people who embraced paradox as the slippery road to a glorious future."

Friends who have this scrapbook have told me that they skipped around, reading only about themselves and their friends, but I recommend doing as the White King advises. "Begin at the beginning; go right on until you come to the end; then stop." That way, you know what to go back to and look at again - photos, drawings, dialogue - whatever. Even if you don't know a single person, place or idea in this book, I believe the work stands on its own merits as a valuable historical chronicle. Sounds like marbles rolling, doesn't it? Rolling through this scrapbook, this album, this experience. Splendid stuff.

pamhan99@aol.com

I bought this book to understand where my mum is coming from when she speaks, acts and walks five dogs down the road. I picked it up in Taos New Mexico on a pilgramage there. It is a wonderful book with lots of different views throughout in the form of interviews/essays. The pictures are great and the author even includes old menus and health posters from the time. She tells it like it is and includes the flaws of the movement as well as the beauty that was there. Buy it for the coffee table.

The Shopping Guide for Caring Consumers is: * thorough * well written * well organized * reasonable (doesn't chastise,just informs) * something you can easily carry with you to the grocery or drug store. When you are given the knowledge and the opportunity to do some good, how could you not? I NOW only buy cruelty-free products. There are a lot of quality alternatives out there. We CAN make a difference. I know I am.

I use this informative paperback before I make any purchase. This book lists, in a very organized manner (sorted by type of product), companies that do and that do not test their products on animals. There is a separate section designated for coupons for products from companies that do not engage in animal testing, as well as more specific information about the companies themselves. One section that I found particularly interesting is the list of charities that do/do not engage in aminal testing, and the intelligent reasons why results from animal testing cannot be extrapolated to humans. There are literally dozens of non-profit, cruelty-free organizations to which one can contribute. If you're looking for anything from cruelty-free cosmetics to vegan cookbooks, then this book is for you.

This is a must have reference for those of us who want to be concious consumers and who don't want to sponsor the suffering of animals. It lists the ingredients and the companies by name that are conducting the animal tortures. In this day and age such testing and slauter practices are not necessary. Its just cheap and easy or a practice that is "the way they've always done it." If you want to send a message with your pocket book this book will help you. It taught me a lot. It also taught me about charities that promote animal suffering by sponsering animal testing - testing that in many cases does not need to be done in harmful ways or in some cases at all. Great reference.

i found this book very informative and i never leave home without it

Great informative guide. There are so many companies out there that make it possible to shop cruelty free, so why not? Don't leave home without it!

"Singing in a Strange Land" is very valuable as a sketch of this highly successful, complex legend. It was a compelling read that prompted me to read biographies of two of the most famous supporting characters, Mahalia Jackson and Clara Ward. For chronicles of these I read, and highly recommend, "Got to Tell It", Jules Schwerin's unsparing bio of Mahalia and "How I Got Over", Willa Ward-Royster's portrait of her gifted sister Clara Ward. Besides the priceless info about Mahalia and Clara, these biographies provide further details about C. L. Indeed, one of the vignettes in "Got to Tell It" (a conversation between Mahalia and Aretha about C. L.'s alleged drug use) paints a portrait of C. L. that leads me to suspect that daughter Erma Franklin's cooperation with "Singing in a Strange Land" was possibly conditioned on Salvatore's silence on some matters. Notwithstanding details of C. L.'s life unavailable elsewhere, and whatever self-exposure a preacher betrays in his sermons, "Singing in a Strange Land"'s shortcoming is the reader is left in the dark about C. L.'s thoughts and feelings. This is not the author's fault as Salvatore repeatedly refers to C. L.'s reticence to speak about personal feelings -- particularly about his early life in the Jim Crow South. Accordingly the reader is forced to draw inferences about the man, many of which may be unflattering due to the minister's impious personal life (e.g., his wife's decision to leave the philanderer though it meant painful separation from four of her young children).

I enjoyed reading the book not only to hear about black history but to read about my daughter's history. Alyssa Ellan Smith who will be turning one on 1/4/05 will always have her history of her family in a book. Her grandmother Carl Ellan Kelley a remarkable woman who overcame many roadblocks in her life looks into Alyssa's eyes. Alyssa is a blessing to us but in an eerie feeling to look at Alyssa is to look at C.L. Franklin. From her eyes to her chin to the smile on her face she is an identical to her great-grandfather. We hold up pictures of the two and put them down in amazement. The book finally told the truth of Carl Ellan Kelley she was only a child who because of shame was raised by her grandparents who raised her to be a wonderful person. Thank you C.L. Franklin for giving us the gift of life our Grandmother and mother a woman who inspires me.

If you live in America, particularly its big cities, you need it. If you lived through any part of the 20th century, you need it. "Singing in a Strange Land..." is a timely witness of the life of Rev. C.L. Franklin as an intersection of many apparently unrelated roads. Most interestingly, it gives insight to a time before Rev. Franklin was thought of as "Aretha's daddy". It chronicles the era when she was "the Rev.'s singing little girl".

Aside from the strictly biographical aspects of this volume, there is much to reward those interested in subjects as diverse as the show business of gospel music, Detroit municipal politics, the civil-rights movement and even the growth of the Black community in Buffalo, NY! But, it it is a true pageturner, because Mr. Salvatore's writing never bores.

Now dear reader, I am no expert on literature or scholastic research, but like the man in the museum looking at a Picasso, " I know what I like". I like this effort by Mr. Salvatore, and I believe you will, too. Don't miss it!

Readers interested in both black church music and black history will relish Singing In A Strange Land: C.L. Franklin, The Black Church, And The Transformation Of America. More than just a biography of C.L. Franklin, Singing In A Strange Land uses Franklin's background to explore both African American religion and musical development in America. Salvatore spent eight years extensively researching, including interviewing Franklin's associates, to develop a winning biography which includes so much more than civil rights history alone.

This is a refreshing well written biography that stands as a reminder that a conservative theologian can support progressive social change. Unlike much of today's moral preaching that right is right and everyone else deserves to be burned if they commit heresy like defending gay marriage or claiming that the pro-life vs. women's rights is an economic war, the Reverend C. L. Franklin supported civil and individual rights as common decency for everyone. He used a voice that Motown would have wanted to have tospread the word of freedom to his followers in Detroit and others as a leader in the Civil Rights movements of the 1950s and 1960s. Nick Salvatore using public records, family information, and interviewing older members of Reverend Franklin's New Bethel Baptist Church puts together quite a full picture especially of the pulpit over three decades just after World War II until he was shot and fell into a coma ultimately dying. Readers get a feel for inner city Detroit politics and social upheaval as a backdrop to a deep look at one of the most influential civil rights spokespersons of the era.

Harriet Klausner

Wow! I just finished this book & am amazed at the example Joe Massengale has lived by. If you're looking for a book on parenting & how to live your life, this is it. Character, determination, focus, love, confidence... what else can you say. Joe Massengale leads his life by example & instills all of the above qualities in his children.

I would encourage any parent or anyone looking for a blueprint on how they should live their life to the fullest to read this book.

As the father of two sons, ages 14 and 11, I found the book to be very inspiring, uplifting, and valuable. The authors deliver beautifully on the title's promise to tell a powerful story about how a father succeeded in raising six successful sons and the back cover's promise to articulate the ways in which the qualities of confidence, fortitude, pride, persistence, fearlessness, and focus are important for a successful life. But beyond that, the way the book is organized and the excellent writing gave the experience a depth of richness that was much greater than I anticipated and more pleasure than I could have felt justified in expecting.

We can all learn from Massengale. Each of us has our own story; our own past,our own struggles. What makes Joe's story special is how he transcended incredible adversity all the while teaching his children these invaluable lessons.

Joe Massengale is a remarkable man who's led an extraordinary rags-to-riches-to-rags-back-to-riches life...from fearing for his own poverty-stricken life in the days of lynchings, to working his way up to owning his own race horses in Hollywood. His biography alone would make an inspiring, thoroughly readable book -- but having it woven through such valuable lessons, and memorable object lessons, all in service of passing on hard-earned down-to-earth wisdom on something as crucial as character-development...well it makes this book all the more important. And how refreshing to have a "good for you" book that's so well-written! David Clow not only writes elegantly, but knows how to get out of Joe Massengale's way to let his subject's own distinctive voice come through clearly. That Joe Massengale happens to be African-American makes me wonder why Oprah Winfrey hasn't devoted an hour to him yet, but let me hasten to add - his lessons are UNIVERSALLY relevant. You do NOT have to be any particular color to "get" this wisdom, nor to need it. Turning children into responsible adults is the hardest and most important job in the world, no matter your color, age, station in life...or gender. Yes, I'm saying even moms can get something valuable from ths book. So could kids, single adults, you name it - anyone with an interest in the being, and shaping, productive, respected members of society. Only perfect people need not learn these lessons, and if you think you're perfect you need this book more than anyone! Need I mention, as I glance at the calendar, that this would make a HECK of a Father's Day gift?

Six Lessons for Six Sons, written by Joe Massengale and David Clow provides a enlightening approach to providing your children with important gifts to guide them through life. The authors have identified the gifts that help individuals believe in themselves and develop the strength to deal with the inevitable setbacks we all experience, and rise above them. This book is extremely well written, unpretentious, and presents, in a simple straight forward way, six qualities that lay down a foundation for living a rich, admirable and principled life. Massengale and Clow do an outstanding job of presenting these lessons in a way that should inspire fathers (and mothers too) to look at the art of raising children to be productive members of society. It stands head and shoulders above all of the self help books on the market today.

The six lessons are ones that I wish I had in raising my own sons.


Kevin J. Lyons, Ph.D.
Editor, Journal of Allied Health

I had to read this book for my History of Slavery class, thought by the author. Dr. Morgan gave excellent insight in addition to his book. I would suggust this book to anyone for anytype of reading, pleasure and required.

Morgan's analysis will give anyone who wants to know more about slavery an immense amount of material. Comparing the Chesapeake and Lowcountry areas of the American colonies during the eighteenth century, Morgan discusses the economic and cultural sides of the different slave institutions and discusses black-white encounters. No matter how one may try to define slavery in one, distinct way, Morgan shows there is always an exception to that definition. I know Morgan worked for many years to produce this book and that this book is the culmination of an immense amount of research and analysis, but this book would make a larger impact if it was shorter. By the time I was done reading this mammoth book, I had a hard time remembering all the topics he brought up. For any history student, like me, it is worth reading, but make sure you give yourself plenty of time to understand it.

I had the pleasure of listening to this author lecture to in class during my senior year of college. Having the opportunity to discuss this book with the author made Slave Counterpoint come to life. Slave Counterpoint makes the topic of Antebellum slavery captivating for those interested in learning about the early days of slavery in the Cheasapeake Bay region. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has a sharp curiosity about early colonial history and wishes to be engaged in an honest account of events(I would recommend reading this book a couple of chapeter at a time).

Philip D. Morgan's exhaustively researched and extremely detailed text seeks to compare and contrast the social structure and overall formation of the slave systems of the Chesapeake, VA and Lowcountry, SC regions during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Morgan does not adopt a narrative approach: he offers numerous discussions-all of which are deftly integrated into his descriptive analyses-of how black cultures changed over time. Morgan spends the 700-odd pages eschewing monolithic portrayals of black culture at almost every opportunity, preferring to investigate complexity and contradiction rather than to resort to pithy judgment. This is an excellent, important read.

I have read no better detailed study than this book. Long but worth it due to the rich detail.

This is a simply fascinating work that weaves business history, marketing theory and techniques, economic differentiation, and overt and unconscious racism. The most interesting dimensions (for this unapologetic Son of the South) is the isolation of the feelings and thoughts of nostalgia that the Quaker Oats image of Aunt Jemima invoked and Manring examines in detail. He follows the work of James Young and illustrator N.C. Wyeth's creation and adaptations of the image from conception to modern politically correct adaptation.

I'm not sure I completely buy into Manrings total thesis, since as a child I always just thought of Aunt Jemima's big old smile as normal, and after all, who doesn't like pancakes? Her image to me meant "proud," "good cooking," and "skilled" not contented servitude as Manring proposes.

Still, this is a fascinating and challenging read.

Prof. Manring has accomplished something rare: an academic book free of jargon, a cultural history free of polemic, and a thorough analysis that never drags. She writes clear, lively prose -- this is a book for the general reader as well as the student of American history. Brava!

This book and its contextualization of Aunt Jemima or the mammy stereotype, as I refer to it, is well-written and thought-provoking. The material has been very helpful to me in exploring how this particular stereotype of black women functions in American culture and I will be using it as a key reference in my dissertation. Thanks.

Slave in a Box is a great study of the racism and sexism embodied in the birth of advertising. It is not only provocative but also chock full of great facts about the era--from the importance of paper bags in marketing to the story of an African American who actually wrote for minstrel shows. I am writing because I am a historian and used the book in my Industrialization of America class. The class generally hated it, because it is so detailed, but despite their response I recommend using it in a course. Our discussion was painful--black students said the book was "depressing" and white students denied that race had anything to do with the power of this trade name (they harped on the convenience, as if the stereotype was irrelevant!). I learned so much about them and so much about what we all need to do as teachers that I think it was a very valuable experience.

Very often, histories/studies of Aunt Jemima and the mammy stereotype are simply descriptive; this book does a great job of showing how Aunt Jemima's image and products were designed to complement/support ideal white femininity. My only criticism is that Aunt Jemima's presence on television and radio wasn't discussed enough. A great read for anyone interested in issues of race, gender and domesticity. I have recommended this book to many people, and continue to do so.