No comments about Strange Gods: Responding to the Rise of Spirit Worship in America.

2 comments about Myths of the Dog-Man.

1. David White's "Myths of the Dog Men" is a fascinating read. It is a non-fiction work about past Eurasian fictional notions, specifically about the way dogs and dog-headed men appear in myths in China, India, and Europe. Our oldest companion, dogs naturally play important roles in human culture and were/are a source of fertile imaginings, but White is interested in a specific myth-complex that he sees as having common origins and mutually influencing relationships.

   White's collection of dog-man myths, motifs, and images are not collected in a scattered, Frazerian way; he translates his rather unusual topic into a fascinating, insightful, and satisfyingly comprehensive book that does not fall prey to "patchwork" problems so often encountered in works that analyse recurrent myths in different societies. White covers issues of Orientalism and other ethnocentric bigotries about liminal ethnic groups from the earliest times as well as covering religious and romantic/entertainment motivations for constructing and repeating these myths. He also suggests a possible origin of these myths in that cauldron of ethnic crossways, Central Asia (what is sometimes called Serindia or the Silk Road region).

   All in all, Myths of the Dog Men is a valuable and interesting work. It is a valuable scholarly book that provides the reader with information, theory, AND entertainment, and for that reason I highly recommend it for both specialist and interested layperson. Talk about a great resource for the fiction writer ...




2. I am so disappointed with White's scholarship, that I would not recommend this book.

No comments about Soul Hunters: Hunting, Animism, and Personhood among the Siberian Yukaghirs.

1 comments about Angels: A Beginner's Guide (Beginner's Guides).

1. This was a very informative book. It includes lots of useful information on contacting Angels. It also explains what exactly ARE angels. I would recomend this book to everyone.

5 comments about Animism.

1. i minored in anthropology and was interested in this title when the library that i work in acquired it; it begins promisingly enough and in scholarly enough fashion. the main problem (and it's a big one) that i have with this work is that it puts self-titled witches, wiccans, neo-pagans, eco-feminists, etc., on equal grounds with native belief systems -- perhaps the author himself suffers from such quasi-spiritual delusions himself, or, for some reason, would think it politically incorrect not to include the "beliefs" of such attention-seekers. whatever the reasons, i found it disconcerting to have to continually skip through sizable sections of what seems to be an otherwise serious examination of the matter. a secondary, lesser complaint is about the writing style; the author seems to feel a constant need to explicitly announce his transitions from one idea to the next... it gets old and is not really necessary for the assumed reading audience of an academic work.



2. I am a professional anthropologist, with a specialization in anthropology of religion and the author of a forthcoming text on anthropology of religion from Routledge. Like the previous review, I was skeptical when I saw that Harvey included discussions of wiccans, feminists, and eco-spiritualists. However, the concern was ill-founded. Harvey has actually given us a very intelligent book on the latest research into "animism" or more properly the agent-centered view of nature and supernature. Truly, early commentators like Tylor considered animism to be an inferior type of religion, one based on false notions of intelligence or will in non-human beings (of course one could criticize all religions for false notions about non-human intelligence). However, as Harvey shows, not only is animism not inferior at all, but it is actually the essence of ALL religion--that there are non-human agents in the world, and that we humans interact socially with them. The contemporary sources that Harvey cites are a valuable library on their own.
   There are some shortcomings of the book. It does not include some of the best new work on agency in religion, like Pascal Boyer, Scott Atran, and Paul Bloom. The discussion of Hallowell and the Ojibwe is valuable, but the chapter on Australian Aboriginals is very deficient, relying on two main sources, one worthwhile (Deborah Bird Rose) and one not worthwhile (Michael Jackson). There is much literature he could and should have referenced, as I know, having done my fieldwork among the Warlpiri of Central Australia. Even the discussion of eco-spiritualism and such shows that these religions are as authentic as any "traditional" belief system, and in fact all belief systems are of course invented and constructed, and all are as affected by modernity as these new ones.
   Harvey's conclusion, that animism has been a concept invented by moderns to achieve modern intellectual goals is a good one, and he rightly points out that not all cultures share our Western dualistic approach to mind and body or to humans and "nature." It is a book very worth reading.



3. "Animism" has a rather shady history, having been often used as a pejorative label for beliefs regarded as simple or primitive. Properly, it refers to those religions based on attributing spirits, or spiritual nature, to some or all beings in the environment: animals, trees, rocks, mountains, and so on. Most traditional religions of small-scale societies do this. However, these religions differ enormously among themselves. Harvey, a religious studies professor, compares the Ojibwe (Anishinabe) with the Central Desert Australian Aborigines, giving brief (all too brief) accounts of both. These religions are as different from each other as either one is from Christianity or Islam, making "animism" a problematic category. Harvey also uses the term "shamanism" very broadly--much more broadly than I would care for; I prefer to limit the term to its original meaning, i.e. the religion of the indigenous peoples of Siberia ("shaman" is a Tungus word, from east Siberia) and such religions as are clearly very closely related thereto. Talking about "shamans" among South American Indians or San is really stretching the term. However, a case can still be made for using the term in its classic broad sense, to refer to any religion in which the officiants send their souls to the lands of the gods and dead, and this is how Harvey uses it. Still, I wonder what is served by generalizing about very disparate traditions.
   Harvey gives a very good short history and discussion of the concept of animism, with full attention to its pejorative uses in the past. He makes a very good case for rehabilitating it (as have Eugene Hunn and several other anthropologists). He also discusses its use by modern individuals seeking to reconnect with a more immanent, environmental spirituality. [...]I hope that Harvey's all too brief, but really intelligent and thought-provoking, discussion makes such seekers go more deeply into the wonderful variety and incredible depth and power of the thousands of worldviews and religions lumped (for better or worse) as "animist."



4. An important addition to the renewal and re-examination of animist philosophy, as begun by other authors such as Daniel Quinn (Ishmael) and David Abram (Spell of the Sensuous).
   One strength of this book appears when the author finds the connection between what some readers may consider certain "fake" or "new age" religions like neo-paganism, and ancient indigenous traditions. They both embrace a certain relationship towards the world to one extent or another, a relationship that the book endeavors to illuminate.
   
   If you consider yourself an animist, add this to your library; if you seek to further understand animism, do the same. An important work.



5. I am impressed with this book for at least a few reasons. One, it goes to the heart of indigenous/shamanic/animist/pagan/earthy worldviews by placing the emphasis on relationships and learning how to relate well with diverse other kinds of beings. Two, it does so with language that is honoring of diversity and non-divisive, no small task considering the history of English-speaking cultures. And three, Harvey is playful. He's fun to read and gets that most animists are not uptight curmudgeons.
   
   I teach shamanism to spiritual seekers as part of my day-job and see how this IS something that is learned (or not), just as Harvey asserts, by indigenous and non-indigenous folks alike. I also work as a professional counselor and see how most folks at least in this area of the US only see other living humans as full persons and that the major task before Western cultures (in my opinion) is to restore personhood to our other-than-human relations and to allow our ethical frameworks and conduct to follow suit from this shift in attention and worldview. You can call this a reclamation of Indigenous Mind, an animist revival, or survival. In any case, it's time.
   
   Big thanks to Harvey for such a well-crafted text!
   
   Daniel Foor /[...]

5 comments about The Devil: A Visual Guide to the Demonic, Evil, Scurrilous, and Bad.

1. Would have been better if it didn't contribute to the Fundamentalist paranoia about witchcraft sweeping the nation.



2. Clear, lucid, and informative without being remotely ludicrous. This tiny book has a BEAUTIFUL cover, beautiful silver ornamentation and really terrific illustrations. The text is direct and smart. This book is especially important to me because I'm using it for a writing project and what I thought would turn out to be dull, hokey, and excessively serious reminds me that my project can be playful & fun.



3. As mentioned above, this book is very nice to look at. The myriad of paintings/engravings really draw the reader in. The writting isn't bad either; if you want an easy read on the subject, this is the book for you. Unfortunately, it wasn't the academic work I had hoped it would be. It was obvious that the authors were trying to appeal to a large audience. In their defense, however, the authors do appear to have done some extensive research, including devils/demons from the Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. I enjoyed this book and would encourage any "devil enthusiast" (if there is such a thing) to purchase it. For the price, it is a good deal.



4. I lied. I do remember a tad of the information on Lilith, but that may just be a culmination of other things I've read on her, and not what was in the book.

   This book presents itself to you: the smooth texture of the cover, the small/longish size, the riveting pictures. That's why I'm giving it three stars instead of two. It's an aesthetically pleasing book to read.

   The book is filled with tidbit information: little sections on many things. The kind of stuff you read once and then forget. Oh, you'll probably hang onto a couple of things, but will you look at again? Remember it with fondness? Maybe.

   If you're a collector of this genre it may be just your thing. But I prefer something more solid and encyclopedic to reference. Aesthetics only go so far.




5. I really liked this book. It is well made (good paper, binding etc.), well written and has excellent graphics. While this book should probably be thought of as an introduction to Christian thought about the devil (which develop after the 12th century) it's still pretty cool. Being Roman Catholic, I found it a very interesting read.
   
   I do have one problem with it though. Demons are described in two ways, which left me a bit confused. Are Demons fallen angels or souls that have gone to the pit? It's confusing because the authors describe them exclusively as one or the other (at different places in the book). Well, a minor error that might be fixed during a reprint.

No comments about The Angels.

5 comments about The Souls of Animals.

1. After reading all the Amazon reviews, I thought I'd purchase this book. I came away feeling a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong - it was quite an interesting book, however I had great expectations due to the other reviewers.
   
   I think the thing that annoyed me, is that the author has not done his own researching for facts, but is constantly quoting other people's books/reports.
   
   It did have some nice moments - my favourite being the elephants chapter. And I guess a positive thing was that it made up my mind to become a vegetarian, so that's a good thing too :)
   
   So, it was OK....I was just slightly let down after reading all the previous glowing reviews.



2. This book is an easy read. At only 114 pages of large type it took only a short time to finish. Gary Kowalski is a Unitarian Universalist minister who tries to convince his audience of the existence of an "animal soul". Instead of animals being "biological machines", they have souls with the attendant feelings of love, grief, and awareness of self and others.
   
   Admittedly, the existence of a soul (even a human soul) can only be from empirical evidence as opposed to "scientific" evidence. But Mr. Kowalski's arguments are shallow and emotional. He plays upon his readers' sense of emotion and "fairness", "altruism" and "love" of God's creatures.
   
   Ok. I admit I agree with him. I DO believe all God's creatures have souls, are sentient, and experience emotion. It's just that Gary Kowalski's book disappointed me. I was expecting something a bit more compelling. Something more compelling than,"The eyes sometimes speak more eloquently (and more truthfully) than words". Phooey. That may be true but it's not much of an argument.
   
   So that said, the book is a nice book and I hope whoever reads it enjoys it. Jonni



3. Do animals have souls, and do they experience spirituality as humans do? THE SOULS OF ANIMALS offers stories backed with science to show that other creates are sentient beings who also have spiritual lives. From the music of birds to the nature of elephants, THE SOULS OF ANIMALS utilizes numerous examples from nature to reveal evidence of animal spirituality.



4. I sent this to my brother who was mourning after the death of his best buddy, Smokey. He said he read it all the same day it arrived and it was helpful.



5. A great book which makes everyone aware that there is a lot more to life,

1 comments about Angels: Guardians of the Light.

1. Karen M. Haughey is the most incredible artist I have come across in years. Her paintings are not only beautiful but based upon messages/visions from our guardians. The colors she used are angelic in themselves. A must see book!

5 comments about Fallen Angels...and Spirits of the Dark.

1. I bought this book for a Short Story I am working on. And even though it has many passages of scripter taken from the Bible, I still found it to be very imformative. Much better than having to read works by DANTE. I still cant put the book down. A must have in anyone's home library.



2. I am not even lying to you, this book is absolutely incredible. I love it. From the moment it arrived, I was glued to it, and when I finished reading it, it does not sit unused on my shelf. I have looked up things in there and read it again and again, just because it is such an interesting read. Highly recommend!!!!



3. As always, Robert Masello gives us tons of details and a touch of humor. Using sources, some new and some very old, he gives us information on Satan, his many allies, spirits, ghosts, werewolves, witches, the undead, goblins, elementals, Voodoo and other forces of the dark. Nice Glossary and even a Bibliography if you want to explore the subjects in more detail.



4. This is one of those books that covers a lot of ground in a small package. I think it is a great place to start if you are interested in demonology, vampires, witches(satanic) etc, and its biggest benefit is probibly that this book gives you a basic foundation to know where you would like to go with your studies. The writer is very clear and concise, with a welcome bit of humor every once in a while. Don't expect an excyclopdia here, it just is not that kind of book. But for what it is, I would highly recommend it. If you like this book, I think a great next step into learning about monsters/otherness would be "Religion and It's Monsters" by Beal.



5. I agree with the reviewer who gave the book 2 stars that the author set out to do something admirable, but doesn't do it very well. The author did not go into enough detail on each subject. The chapters on the history of the witch trials did not go into enough depth on the atrocities inflicted on innocent humans. The myth that witches had sex with the devil were laughable if not ludicrous. This author needs to go deeper into his subject matter. He obviously hasn't done enough research on the subject of spirits of the dark .