Familiar Strangers: Gypsy Life in America [Paperback]

Marlene Sway (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In her insightful and detailed look at Gypsies throughout the world, sociologist Sway (University of Alabama at Birmingham) presents a people who have maintained independence by adhering so strictly to cultural dictates that they remain a rare pariah group. The Gypsies have steadfastly preserved their outsider role through a solid network of families, strict set of religious beliefs, community-controlled judicial system, elaborate kinship structure, well-defined set of rules governing entrepreneurial jurisdictions, willingness to be nomadic, and flexibility in occupation. This well-researched work, based on published studies as well as Sway's own research, should interest curious lay readers as much as scholars, its primary audience. Suzanne W. Wood, SUNY Coll. of Technology, Alfred, N.Y.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press; First Edition edition (February 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252061160
• ISBN-13: 978-0252061165
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,529,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, December 23, 2000

By 

Gordon Inkeles "author of The Art of Sensual ... (Northern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Familiar Strangers: GYPSY LIFE IN AMERICA (Hardcover)

This intelligent and exceedingly well researched book brings the gypsy world-warts and all-through your front door. Filled with surprises-American gypsies have a national palm reading network with tightly defined terrioties-and affectionate portraits of these elusive people. "Familiar Strangers" is required reading for any American who is interested in learning about his gypsy neighbors.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Familiar Strangers, October 28, 2009

By 

Sonia Meyer (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Familiar Strangers: Gypsy Life in America (Paperback)

All in all I find the book too detached from the reality of the Gypsy people. It is above all an academic book, and it is the human side of the Gypsies that is so captivating to those who know them. In many ways they are more innocent, more caring, than non-Gypsies. Some of that she describes when she tells about Roma attitudes towards animals. Still, for those who know nothing about Gypsies/Roma I do recommend the book. Sonia Meyer

6 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars charitable but not very reliable, July 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Familiar Strangers: GYPSY LIFE IN AMERICA (Hardcover)

Sway attempts to be fair to the people known as "gypsies," with the result that she overlooks behavior that may contribute to the problems they face everywhere. In her efforts to make their behavior conform to questionable sociological theories, she fails to view gypsy life objectively and, therefore, helpfully. Information about these fascinating people is always difficult to authenticate. This book is especially questionable.