Customer Reviews

Gypsies: The Hidden Americans

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A previous comment expressed dissapointment in this book, due to it's scholarly (and thus dry) content. To those looking for excitement and romance about this "fascinating subject," there are countless books out there, weaving tales of unsubstantiated and perpetuated misinformation for the sake of romance. Indeed, someone who wants to find accurate, thorough material on the Rom (especially in the US) with atleast a modicum of objectivity, is probably frustrated by the plentitude of such romantic Gypsy books. Sutherland's book, which has been called "techno-babble," is in fact what serious researchers would call an "ethnography"-- an amazing modern invention (however dry), that if it existed years ago, so much romantic crap about the Rom wouldn't have been accepted in print and thus Gypsies everywhere would probably be less oppressed by other's damaging notions. There are too few real ethnographies on the Rom in the English language, and anyone interested in learning about the Rom population in the US will probably begin their research with this book. It's also important to note that (as the necessity of any ethnography that desires to be somewhat thorough) only a specific group is dealt with in the book, and generalizations about all Rom in the US would be difficult.

If you are seeking an exciting, and completely false, account of the Roma in America(such as the reviewer above apparently is), then this is not the book for you. There are plenty of books that further damage our reputation with the stereotypes of our people. It is refreshing to read a very realistic account. People, like the reviewer above, need to realize that the stereotypes have caused extreme discrimination, all in the name of romanticized entertainment. If it doesn't hurt them, they don't care. As long as they have a good read, however fictional it is.

If you are seeking the truth about the Roma, then this book will be a good addition to your collection.

Due to its nature as an ethnographic study the book will apear as a dry relation of facts. However, the book carries get weight and is used in University Anthropology classes.

This ethnography is detailed and well written, without being too long. If you are really interesrted in learning about the culture of gypsies living in America it is worth a read.

I first read this book many years ago and because of it became a lifelong student of the Roma. Rereading it I realized how remarkable and well written a book it is. It's an intelligent work about a culture we live beside and are very unaware of. Terrific job Ms. Sutherland!

This is definitely a used text book. Has a bit of underlining and a one color cover. It's pretty well written and interesting though perhaps a bit dry and technical. Not a book that a non-anthropologist would probably be interested in.

It's not an introductory level book, which is good. The problem with trade non-fiction is reading the same thing over and over again and never penetrating any deeper.