Sacred Arts of Haitian Voodoo

Book Description

This abundantly illustrated anthology brings together 16 essays by scholars, artists, and ritual experts who examine the sacred arts of Haitian Vodou from multiple perspectives. Among the many topics covered are the 10 major Vodou divinities, the paintings of Hector Hyppolite, the multimedia pieces of Pierrot Barra, sequined bottles and sequined flags, and the work of the Brooklyn Priestess Mama Lola.

Customer Reviews:

The Definitive Text on Haitian Vodou Art.......2003-04-07

As the title says, if you are interested in Vodou-influenced Haitian art (in other words, most Haitian art), this is the definitive book on the subject. If you are not interested in the subject, the breathtaking illustrations are likely to make you a convert.

Consentino has compiled some excellent information to go along with the pictures, including interviews with Vodouisants and artists. He avoids the all-too-common sensationalist treatments of Haitian Vodou, and is never condescending or patronizing. He (correctly) treats Vodou like a world religion, and gives it due respect; his scholarship is impeccable both in art and comparative religion. Well worth the cost: this is a coffee table book you will cherish.

Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou.......2000-04-22

This book is the catalogue of the recent New Orleans Vodou exhibit. I had studied comparative religions when I was in college, so the origins and practice of vodou are of natural interest to me, but I knew absolutely nothing about vodou until seeing this exhibit. Having lived in New Orleans, I had always thought that voodoo involved sticking pins into dolls to bring bad luck or disease to an enemy and other darkly occult rituals. Obviously, I didn't understand vodou at all, not even to know the correct spelling. The Hollywood film industry is responsible for a large part of our misconceptions about vodou.

I quote André Pierre, a contributor to the catalog: "The Vodou religion is before all other religions. It is more ancient than Christ. It is the first religion of the Earth. It is the creation of the World. The World is created by Vodou. The world is created by magic. The first magician is God who created people with his own hands from the dust of the Earth. People originated by magic in all countries of the world. No one lives of the flesh. Everyone lives of the spirit."

Spirits (lwa) of vodou define parts of the universal human experience. The spirits all have names and personalities, very much like Roman Catholic saints. Like Mexican altars to deceased ancestors for El Dia de los Muertos, these vodou spirits are offered their favorite things that represent these personalities. These items are placed on altars or sewn in sequins and beads on 36" x 36" flags in their honor. The spirits, like saints, are invoked to grant favors or assist in getting through a difficult time, or they are praised for their virtues and help.

My two favorite Vodou spirits are Ezili Freda and Ezili Danto. These cousins are diametrically opposed forces of femininity. Ezili Freda represents love and luxury, a city girl who has elegant fashion sense, likes sweet drinks and Virginia Slims cigarettes. She looks pretty, dressed in white lace with pink trim. Her day is Thursday. Mater Dolorosa represents Ezili Freda.

Her country cousin Ezili Danto is linked to protective motherhood. She dresses in bright red and blue calicos and drinks strong rum. Black pigs symbolize Ezili Danto and her favorite food is fried pork. She smokes unfiltered Camel cigarettes and her days are Tuesdays and Saturdays. Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Mater Salvatoris represent Ezili Danto.

This catalog allows a closer study of the brilliant sequin art associated with vodou. Spirit bottles, mirrors, jackets, vests, leggings and flags are covered with the flash of sequins that are anchored with seed beads. The symbols of the vodou spirits and their aspects are reflected by the designs made with the sequins and beads.

The Sacred Arts catalog is an obviously well researched and comprehensive look at Vodou. I highly recommend it for a broad range of people, from cultural anthropologists to decorative artists.

Best I've read on the subject.......2000-03-24

I've been obsessed with this book ever since I was introduced to it. I find it well-researched and unbiased. It provides an accurate glance into this unfairly shunned religion.

Magnificent, outstanding, a triumph!.......1998-07-14

Everything about this book is of the speaks of quality. The numerous color prints are excellent,and the paper and binding have a luxurious feel.

This is a combination art book, art history book, book about religion, and travel book. The different perspectives that are brought together in this one volume makes it absolutely essential reading for anyone interested in Haiti. I have read it cover to cover twice, and plan to read it a third time.

Only one chapter suffers from a dry, academic approach, that is the one on African Voudou, and may be safely skipped without missing much. That chapter, which contains no color prints, is much below the standards of the rest of the book.

I am surprised that I am the first person to write a review of this book, because it is really an incredibly well done volume.

The authors include anthropologists, folklorists, art historians, voudou practioneers, and artists. Yet the organization of the book makes each chapter fl! ! ow into the other. Well worth the $100.00 purchase price.

Don't be put off by the word "voudou". This is not a goofy "new age" kind of book that teaches you to do spells. It is high quality, facinating analysis of the art, culture and lif of Haiti.

Book Description

As the times change, so do the fashions. Decades of Beauty takes a unique look at the history of female beauty and how it has evolved since the end of the Victorian era. This lavishly illustrated book traces the major changes in the female image over the past one hundred years, one decade at a time. Focusing on the look that was "in" during each time period, each chapter explores particular reasons for a style, including developments in make-up, hair-styling, fabrics, accessories, and the shape of female underwear and garments.

Beautiful and informative, Decades of Beauty also examines the major social and political events that affected the way women were perceived throughout history, and profiles the key personalities and innovators of feminine style who personified the decade.

Customer Reviews:

Stunningly beautiful........2005-02-12

Don't be to eager to dismiss this book as superficial, for females only or aimed at the fashion/ art set. It is a well researched and knowledge packed directory into the ploitics and social history of fashion and beauty, throughout the entire 20th century.
It would be of immense value to students of 20th century history, women's studies as well as an invaluable and pictorial journey for children exploring the recent past.
The layout is well structured and the photography, art and fashion plates are breath taking.
Even if just a coffee table book, it's far more engaging than the average trendy photo album.

Excellent Pictoral History.......2003-11-27

Decades of Beauty is both an excellent pictoral as well as literary history of beauty through the decades. Great pictures that have not been often seen showcase the fashion fads of each era along with the fashion icons who are responsible for that decade's fashion hype. I loved that this book also gave equal space to the history of cosmetic beauty through the years. Its fascinating to see what type of makeup each generation "had to have" along with the "hippest" hairstyles of the day. The contents are easy to read and allows one to pick and choose a decade of interest without having to read the book start to finish. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a cosmetic junkie, fashion obsessed, or just a history buff. This would also make an excellent gift for those in the beauty industry. Enjoy!

A book you will enjoy reading time and time again.......2002-07-20

I purchased this book a year ago and read it from cover to cover the day it arrived. But I find myself picking it up and flipping through it every now and again. I love the fact that the authors wound in all kinds of fascinating pop culture trivia along with fashion history. I learned all kinds of amazing things -- like the fact that Elizabeth Arden brought out a velvet gas mask during World War II and that someone actually saw fit to bring a bra to market that could be inflated by blowing into a straw. This book is very fun reading indeed. It's also a gorgeous coffee table book. Highly recommended.

Interesting Look at Styles Through the Years.......2002-01-04

This book covers the changing styles and images from the 1890s thru the 1990s. Each section covers the life & times, faces in vogue, film and media, fashion, hair and hats, cosmetics, body shape and underwear, and work and play for a particular decade. Filled with interesting facts and tons of photographs, this makes the perfect addition to the library of anyone interested in fashion, cosmetics, or history! Fun and unique!

Terrific Read--Great Coffe Table or Bubble Bath Read!.......2001-09-22

A nice collection of fact & photos on the beauty industry. Contains information on styles of each period--including the impact of film! I thought the 1920's invention of "twist-up" lipstick & the use by flappers was a hoot! Pick this book up & grab another as a gift!

Book Description

Is Your Cat Cowering Behind A Silly Name?

Garfield Has The Answer!

Muffin. Kitty. Snowball. All stupid names that no self-respecting cat would have -- if it weren't for the stupid human who gave it to him! Now Garfield has the definitive guide to giving your cat a proper name that he won't be ashamed to be called by his buddies in the finest back alleys of America. Unisex Names, Old Buddies' Names, Former Girlfriends' Names, Ordinary People's Names Suitable for Cat Use, and the dreaded Names to Avoid. So start reading -- and find the right name for your fabulous feline!

The Garfield Book Of Cat Names

Customer Reviews:

A Twisted Treat.......1999-10-04

While Jim Davis is rarely associated with the modern day literary greats, this book reverses the assumption that the cartoon, "Garfield," is little more than an analogy for suicide. Alas, more than one of us has feared for Jon's life, as a combination of his general bad luck and Garfield's general maliciousness threaten to push poor Mr. Arbuckle over the edge. This book is a playful retreat from Davis's darker themes, in which Garfield becomes the mischevious provider of feline names, as opposed to his usual activities that send Jon to bed crying. This work propells Davis to the head of the proverbial class. Watch out "Family Circus!" Garfield is back in town!

Garfield's Book of Cat Names (Garfield Classics)

Average customer rating:

Garfield's Book of Cat Names (Garfield Classics)
Jim Davis
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Garfield | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Cats, Dogs & Animals | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0345485165
Release Date: 2005-11-29

Book Description

Is your cat cowering behind a dumb name?

Garfield has the answer!

Muffin. Kitty. Snowball. All inane names no self-respecting cats would have – if it weren’t for the inane humans who thought of them!

Now Garfield offers the definitive guide to giving your cat a cool, creative name to be proud of. Music Names, Food Names, Foreign Names, even names to avoid…historical or hysterical, they’re all here!

So, start reading - and find the right name for your fabulous feline!

Average customer rating:

The Garfield Book of Cat Names

Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0318373807

Amazon.com

Though she retired from the screen in the early 1970s, Brigitte Bardot remains an enormously popular sex symbol. Her image continues to be mimicked and recycled almost as often as Bardot herself continues to be hounded. Jeffrey Robinson sees Bardot's life as a story about the enormous cost of fame. He follows her as she rockets to stardom in her teens and ever after consumes the attention of the merciless media while making films, championing humanitarian causes, and bedding lovers.

Customer Reviews:

B.B.-Bad.......2005-02-14

"Bardot: An Intimate Portrait" is both a good and bad title -- on one hand, Jeffrey Robinson lets us in on lots of love life info. On the other, he seems uninterested in Brigitte Bardot as a person, and more as an icon. As the book goes on, it becomes obvious that Robinson cares more about worshiping Bardot than telling the world about her.

Brigitte Bardot was born into a strict middle-class family, who considered actors "gypsies" and expected her to be a dancer. But her life changed when she met Roger Vadim, an energetic young film director who made her his muse, and married her as a teenager. Soon "B.B." was a legend for her free-lovin' movies and sultry image.

But B.B. wasn't as crazy about movies as the movies were crazy about her. While going through a succession of lovers and husbands that would make J.Lo proud, she quit the movies and devoted herself to animal care -- sometimes at the expense of the humans around her -- and living an ultra-reclusive life.

Robinson does a passable job of telling Bardot's life story, from her life as a feted star to her work as an animal rights activist. That stuff is interesting. But he pads it out with stories about how amazing, wonderful and exquisite she is -- barely a page goes by without a quotation burbling about how extraordinary she is.

The problem is, the way he tells it, she is not an exceptional person -- she comes across as a bit dizzy, rather bland, and alternately obnoxious and sweet. Oh yeah, and obsessed with lawsuits. Not a single quote of hers is memorable, and only a few of her good deeds are. It's difficult to take Robinson's adoration seriously when he says in the epilogue that she is better than perfect, she's "unique." Not the way he tells it.

Were she not an exceptional beauty, it's doubtful anyone in this book have been so quick to talk about how glorious she is. As a person, she comes across as very, very ordinary. It certainly doesn't help that Robinson devotes most of the book to A) telling us how saintly Bardot is, B) dismissing false rumors, and C) excusing all her bad behavior. All people who are less than 100% complimentary toward Bardot are dismissed as "nasty," such as great Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni.

Far from being nasty, Mastroianni's candor is refreshing in a book full of rosy worship. In essence, only die-hard fans of Brigitte Bardot will be able to stomach all this praise... which appears to center on Bardot's beauty, and nothing more.

LOVE THIS BOOK!.......2003-08-16

Brigette Bardot has a very amazing and interesting life story. I really enjoyed reading this and found it very inspiriting. She is very raw in her words and emotion and passionate about her love for animals. She was a free sprirt and really changed to way alot of people thought. She inspired pop culture and rock n' roll and the entire sexual revolution!!! I hope her own bio "initials B.B." will be released in English format someday. I also enjoyed Tony Crawleys book "The Films of B.B.". She was the French Marilyn Monroe!

A Beautiful Soul.......2002-04-14

This book is about one of my heroes, Brigitte Bardot. It isn't the best written book but it is interesting. It has a lot of interviews with people who were close to Brigitte at different times in her life. It goes from the beginning of her life when as a young teenager encouraged by her mother she started down the road to becoming an international film star and sex symbol. This was before people had much consciousness about the objectification of women and Brigitte was so beautiful and sensual that she was exploited to the maximum degree. She has been hounded by fans and photographers all of her life but she has remained gentle and good-natured. She has had several failed marriages and suicide attempts and a life of drama, drama, drama. Yes, all that is true, but that is not why I enjoyed this book nor is it why I admire this incredible person. This book also tells about her involvement in and dedication to Animal Rights activisim. She has tirelessly supported and protected the humane treatment of animals around the world and particularly in her home country of France. She has brought about huge changes in the way animals are treated in France and has raised consciousness throughout the world. Her foundation fights animal abuse worldwide. Perhaps because of her experiences as a "sex kitten" she came to understand the cruel and degrading way that human beings can treat other living beings as objects for their use. This book is the only one I could find that tells her story so I enjoyed it, but I don't think it does justice to this enigmatic, courageous and beautiful soul. Her story is more complex than this book indicates, but if you are interested in a pioneer in the Animal Rights movement or if you just love BiBi it is worth the read.

Average customer rating:

The French Marilyn Monroe

Brigitte Bardot: A Biography
Barnett Singer
Manufacturer: McFarland & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Actors & Actresses | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Entertainers | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

History & Criticism | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0786425156

Book Description

Actress and sex symbol Brigitte Bardot had a stunning career in France and America in the mid-20th century. Since the 1970s, she has dedicated her life to the welfare and protection of animals, with much personal involvement. In this book the author makes the case that far from being just a pretty face or a spotlight grabber, Bardot was an accomplished actress and has always been an intelligent, sensitive individual.

Chapters acquaint readers with her Paris childhood and her rebellious coming of age in a Catholic bourgeois family, who disapproved when she appeared on the cover of Elle magazine and was offered a screen test. The book examines her years in film (with careful analysis of her films) and also covers her tumultuous personal life, including suicide attempts, and the beginnings of her interest in animal protection. Final chapters detail her efforts in worldwide animal welfare activism, including the work of her own international foundation.

Customer Reviews:

The French Marilyn Monroe.......2006-08-01

Bardot lives unlike her American counterpart. And her life since the 1970's has been a committment to animal rights. A biopic on the tragedy and triumphs of an international living screen legend. Bardot was the blonde goddess on the beach in Cannes decades before Pamela Anderson hit the small screen on Baywatch. The latter seems to be following the lead of the former and one wonders: what happened to beauty's promise in youth? Bardot herself has commented that she gave her youth to men and in her twilight years gives her passion to the cause of animal rights. A turmoil of a life filled with the heights of stardom intermingled with psychological demons and power lost when youthful beauty faded. Bardot is now in retirement and a recluse in France but her legend remains. Was beauty not supposed to bring lasting happinness?

Goddesses of the Silver Screen: Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Betty Gable, Jane Mansfield, Brigitte Bardot, Rita Hayworth, Ann-Margret (The Docubook Series)

Average customer rating:

Don't waste your money.

Goddesses of the Silver Screen: Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Betty Gable, Jane Mansfield, Brigitte Bardot, Rita Hayworth, Ann-Margret (The Docubook Series)
Request Audiobooks
Manufacturer: Request Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

Actors & Actresses | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

History & Criticism | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Biographies & Memoirs | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books

General | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
ASIN: 1933299606
Release Date: 2005-05-01

Product Description

Some called women like Bridget Bardot, Jayne Mansfield, Ann Margaret, Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, and Marilyn Monroe, actresseshistory has come to call them by another nameGoddesses. They were the women who lit up the dark of Americas movie houses and adorned the glowing marquees of Hollywood - the illustrious Goddesses of the Silver Screen. Discover the truth behind their relationships and their careerslearn the most intimate details of their love lives and heartachesrevel in their fame and fortuneshare in the secret of their passion for the spotlightlisten to the untold stories of their affairs, illnesses, rejections and private fantasies, as revealed by their friends, family, and the glaring light of fame.

Customer Reviews:

Don't waste your money........2006-02-18

Limited general information and sometimes wrong (such as Brigitte's Bardot's "real" name). It mostly consists of listening to the stars' movie trailers which is very uninteresting since they were developed to be shown on screen not radio. Especially silly is listening to Brigitte Bardot's since most of her films shown in the US were dubbed, so you not only are not seeing her but not even hearing her own voice. This is of no value.

Average customer rating:

Bardot, Deneuve, Fonda
Roger Vadim
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0671530070

Average customer rating:

Bardot
Glenys Roberts
Manufacturer: St Martins Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Bardot: A personal biography
Glenys Roberts
Manufacturer: Sidgwick & Jackson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0283991038

Average customer rating:

Bardot: An intimate biography
Willi Frischauer
Manufacturer: Joseph
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0718117441

Brigitte Bardot Signed Color Photo & Biography Sheet

Average customer rating:

Brigitte Bardot Signed Color Photo & Biography Sheet
Brigitte Bardot
Manufacturer: Brigitte Bardot
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MTY2VM

Brigitte Bardot: "And God Created Woman"

Average customer rating:

A BB fan must have!

Brigitte Bardot: "And God Created Woman"
Raymond Boyer , and Francois Guerif
Manufacturer: Putnam Pub Group (P)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Photo Essays | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0933328788

Customer Reviews:

A BB fan must have!.......2004-02-24

This is an excellent book. Pics are great. Magazine covers, film photos, the works.

Average customer rating:

Brigitte Bardot: Un mythe francais
Catherine Rihoit
Manufacturer: O. Orban
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

Book Description

-I Know it's Only Rock and Roll, But I Asked You a Question-

Okay, you knew Pete Best was The Beatles' original drummer. And you might have guessed that Abba's biggest hit was "Dancing Queen." Perhaps you even knew that Duran Duran got their name from a character in the Jane Fonda movie Barbarella. But did you know that Boy George was once a member of Bow Wow Wow? Or that legendary disc jockey Alan Freed wrote the lyrics for Chuck Berry's first rock and roll hit?

Rock and roll exploded into popular culture in the 1950s, and since that time has provided the soundtrack for the lives of each new generation. As rock has grown and expanded, so have the number of artists, events, and stories that it has spawned. Big Bang, Baby is an enthralling collection of rock trivia that spans the history of the music that has been so much a part of our society over the past fifty years.

As he guides us through each decade, author Richard Crouse brings to light facts and oddities that will enlighten the most knowledgeable of music experts. The scope of this book is large: it focuses not just on the huge hitmakers, but also on the one-hit wonders, and even some of the more obscure bands. U2, of course, is in here they've been putting records on the charts for two decades but so are Dexy's Midnight Runners, who were launched into stardom by "Come On Eileen" before vanishing into pop history. Even The Hindu Love Gods makes it into Big Bang, Baby. (Trust me, Billboard's never even heard of this band.)

Book Description

In this inspirational and practical book are gathered some of the classic works of visionary management consultant and educator Robert K. Greenleaf. This volume includes his definitive work on developing servant-leadership in a university, Teacher as Servant. Along with that parable are two of his essays, "Life's Choices and Markers," and the original version of "The Servant as Leader," written for a student audience. Each provides a different but complementary perspective on servant-leadership and its relationship to the art of teaching and the act of learning.

For this edition, the editors have added commentary to make the parable and essays even more useful to those interested in the teaching and practice of servant-leadership.

Highlights:

--ideal text to use in teaching servant-leadership to anyone with ties to the academic world
--appropriate as well for teaching in the business world

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books