Heritage of Power (Marie LaVeau/Mary Ellen Pleasant) [Paperback]

Susheel Bibbs (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1892516039 | ISBN-13: 978-1892516039 | Publication Date: November 1, 1998 | Edition: 1

Mary Ellen Pleasant, the Mother of Civil Rights in California, was a daring 19th-century activist/entrepreneur who affected modern-day civil rights and once amassed joint fortune worth $30,000,000! Yet the truth of her colorful life, until this work, has been obscured.

HERITAGE OF POWER unfolds the truth of this amazing life in depth and for the first time, presenting its landmark research engagingly, and using Pleasant's long-lost words. Did you know that there was a Mother of Civil Rights in California; that New Orleans' most famous Voodoo Queen, Marie LaVeau, created a model for social change based on her faith? Do you know what voodoo is and how it relates to civil rights in the New World or African-Diaspora religions or how Mary Pleasant used LaVeau's model to change the lives of African Americans and Women in California to become its "Mother of Civil Rights"? If you did not know these things or if you just want to know more, if you want to be inspired by a story of courage or to demystify two mysterious lives and one mysterious religion, you must read HERITAGE OF POWER!!

Editorial Reviews

Review

" A powerful work and a wonderful treat to study" Reviewer: Walt Anthony, Spellbinder Enterprises -- Review, SPELLBINDER

"-An incredible piece of historical research. It brought to life the gifts, talents, insights and power of an incredible woman... There is an "heroic" element that permeates Pleasant's life. The book therefore offers us all a prescription for the future, a pathway and solution to our modern form of despair. That fact alone will place this gift in the pantheon of definitive historical works about our people. It captured as clearly and concisely as one can get the evolutionary influences that impacted Mary Ellen Pleasant. This work is truly remarkable and special. Reviewer: James Buie, Solomon Smith Barney, Maryland -- Reviews, PLEASANT NEWS, Fall 1999

"I have never read such an incredible piece of historical research. It brought to life the gifts, talents, insights and power of an incredible woman... I feel there is an "heroic" element that permeates Pleasant's life. The book therefore offers us all a prescription for the future, a pathway and solution to our modern form of despair. That fact alone will place this gift in the pantheon of definitive historical works about our people. It captured as clearly and concisely as one can get the evolutionary influences that impacted Mary Ellen Pleasant. This work is truly remarkable and special. -- James Buie, Solomon Smith Barney [Maryland], PLEASANT NEWS, Fall 1999

"Lot's of interesting info...I was particularly interested in the background and ideas behind Vodou... I'd like to order another." Reviewer: Jay Wurts, author: SECORT, WHEN HEAVEN AND EARTH CHANGED PLACES, -- Reviews, PLEASANT NEWS, Winter 1999

"What great scholarship directed by spirit!" Reviewer: Halifu Osumare, Visiting Professor, University of California, Riverside -- Reviews, PLEASANT NEWS, Spring 1999

-lots of interesting info... I was particularly interested in the background and ideas behind Vodou (Voodoo)... I'd like another copy to share with a friend! -- Jay Wurts, acclaimed biographer/author (Secort, When Heaven and Earth Changed Places, others

A powerful work and a wonderful treat for me to study! -- Walt Anthony, Spellbinder Enterprises, San Francisco

I had a chance to dive into HERITAGE OF POWER. What great scholarship directed by "spirit"! -- Halifu Osumare, Visiting Professor, U. of California, Riverside

From the Publisher

Author Susheel Bibbs holds advanced credentials in philosophy and music. The foremost scholar on Pleasant and formerly an EMMY award winning Public Broadcasting executive producer. Bibbs is also an acclaimed classical singer and actress. She lectures nationwide on Pleasant and at the University of California at Berkeley, and her research and presentations on Pleasant, certified by the State Humanities Council, recently received the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' highest commendation. A member of the History Alive! Chautauqua group of the Californica Council for the Humanities and the National Chautauqua Tour, Bibbs performs a one-women musical and a dramatic chautauqua (enactment) on Pleasant nationwide and maintains a touring exhibit on this daring activist.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: M E P Pubns; 1 edition (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892516039
• ISBN-13: 978-1892516039
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #665,929 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Voodoo- The Real Story, April 21, 2000

By 

The Chamberlain (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heritage of Power (Marie LaVeau/Mary Ellen Pleasant) (Paperback)

Finally! a great book which does not sensationalize the Vodou religion. It dispells many of the myths that surround our most famous Queen, Marie LaVeau as well as giving new insight into her life. As a tour guide in New Orleans I find this book invaluable. It provides a concise outline of the tenets, beliefs, and practices of the Vodou religion and the life of Marie Laveau as well as her protege Mary Ellen Pleasant (mother of Civil Rights in California). The greatest feature of this book is its point of view. Previous authors have concentrated on Vodou as seen from a white-Eurocentric Christian backgound. This book comes to you without the dogma and predjudices. Extremely recommendable for all who study the occult and for those who want to get beyond the zombies and curses of Hollywood "pop" vodou and come to understand the nature of this accepting and benevolent religion.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine account, December 18, 2004

By 

Ann Myers "Ann Myers" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heritage of Power (Marie LaVeau/Mary Ellen Pleasant) (Paperback)

The older books of Mary Pleasant by Holdredge and others sensationalized a life that can be important to all people. They clearly have distorted Pleasant's story. As Bibbs says, "She (Pleasant) could love across boundaries of race and class without losing sight of her goal." At last a book that is fair and impartial, that documents what it asserts instead of the sensationalism of the past, and that dispells myths about this woman. Anyone who upholds the older books needs to examine them more closely for continuity. BRAVO to Bibbs and Heritage of Power!

I for one, now can appreciate Pleasant and know why she is called "Mother of Civil Rights in California" and even a little more about why she was associated with voodoo and Marie LaVeau -- fascinating! It's amazing how people have clung to myths about this woman, when the truth is so fascinating.

5 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very Disappointing, September 7, 2001

By 

Andy Betts (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heritage of Power (Marie LaVeau/Mary Ellen Pleasant) (Paperback)

This "book" is poorly written and poorly researched. This is a prime example of someone "whitewashing" the truth. Whites have done for so long and African-Americans are just following their example. Mary Ellen Pleasant was a weaver of great stories and a great con woman. "Voodoo" was just another tool in her bag of tricks that she used to manipulate very gullible people. Read Helen Holdrege's book for a really detailed chronicle of her life. Most African-Americans hate her book but they just can't handle the truth.