The Book of Vodou [Hardcover]

Leah Gordon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2000

Vodou is magic. But it's also much more! It's a religion of charms and rituals intended to empower life and bring good fortune to those who practice it. Vodou is a deeply spiritual and visually dazzling religion encompassing rituals, songs, and dances evoking spirits that believers recognize as part of nature. This engrossing account traces its origins in Africa to its full development in the West Indies island of Haiti. It also presents ways readers can use Vodou to enrich their own lives in terms of love, luck, and prosperity. The Book of Vodou covers all-important aspects of its intriguing subject, and brings many Vodou spirits fully alive with vivid, often humorous descriptions. Readers learn how to build their own magic altar and invoke Vodou spirits, how to make charms and amulets, and how to work spells and read signs of divination. More than 120 full-color illustrations.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 1st edition (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764152491
• ISBN-13: 978-0764152498
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #676,064 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A colorful look at Voodou culture., August 24, 2000

By 

M. Stone "Frater Iustitia Omnibus" (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of Vodou (Hardcover)

The author has done a great job with this visual ride through a unique culture. The book is written with the uninitiated in mind. The text doesn't delve too deep into the religion to lose the reader, but it conveys a rich and colorful tapestry of Voodou art and culture. If I had to pick a sub-title for this book, it would be "The Picture Book of Voodou" If you would like to round out the breath-taking visuals of this book with a deeper look at the religion, then I also recommend "Secrets of Voodoo"

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book Of Vodou: Charms and Rituals to Empower Your Life, August 24, 2003

By 

Joao Pierre Luois (Brooklyn, Ny United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Vodou (Hardcover)

I do have to say, that this little book, pretty much clarifies and explains the traditions that we practice in Haiti. I am an Hougan for about 11 years, and I do have to say that this book is good. My entire family practices Voudu from Haiti(yes I am haitian) and despite the size of the book, it gives a pretty good overview of Voudu in Haiti. For the average person, this book doesn't explain too much, and doesn't explain too little. For me, it's just perfect. I showed this book to many elders in the faith, and they too agreed that this book is pretty reasonable. I do have to say that reading from a book, isn't the same thing as experiencing it in real life. But this book gives the reader a pretty clear picture of our religion. So for those who are contemplating into buying this book, I recommend it....Aibobo.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well written and Beautiful Art., August 4, 2002

By 

"sobekqebet" (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Vodou (Hardcover)

I am happy with the book. The pictures in it are absolutely beautiful, especially the art work that is displayed. The text is very well written and easy to understand as well. (There is also a thurough glossary contained in the book)

However, i was looking (expecting) a book that contained more information on particular spells that could easily be applied
to everyday life, and it didn't quite provide that on the level i wanted.

The information about the Lwa was well written and quite inspirational. It didn't touch too much on offering's to the Lwa though, or invocations.

Overall, it was a good book, just not quite what i was looking for, but an excellent addition to my VouDou Library.