A REVIEW OF
"RITUALS of POWER and REBELLION"
November 26, 2001

A masterpiece of social history, Dr.Liverpool's book, "Rituals of Power & Rebellion -The Carnival Tradition in Trinidad & Tobago 1763-1962" is an invaluable addition to the scattered body of literature available on this topic. Hollis "Chalkie" Liverpool, has successfully managed to put into context, the social, political, economic and cultural forces which inadvertently came together to create the greatest show on earth. Rituals of Power & Rebellion is an in-depth study of the development of Trinidad carnival. It reveals that what appeared to be simply a musical bacchanal, was in fact the struggle of an oppressed people to maintain their cultural identity in a land of foreign domination, class struggle, economic deprivation and political strife, The Trinidad carnival provided an outlet for the maintenance of sanity and a powerful weapon to resist oppression & injustice.

Dr. Liverpool has done the people of Trinidad and Tobago a tremendous favour by making this book available for posterity. He has set a standard in a West Indian context, that is rivaled only by Dr. Williams' "Capitalism & Slavery" and Walter Rodney's "How Europe Underdeveloped Africa" in terms of his documentation of historical events. The extensive research that went into the writing of this book is beyond impressive and the fact that is was written by a son with the caliber of "Chalkie" as opposed to a foreign observer is a credit to West Indian scholarship.

This book should be read by anyone interested in the history of Trinidad and should be compulsory reading for students of West Indian history at the University level. To a griot and historian, I say Chuba Dubai.

J. Michael De Gale

Toronto, Canada.

Only in Trinidad could a serious historian also be a serious calypsonian. This is a great, original, absorbing book. Get a Chalkdust album as a companion to the book.

"Rituals Of Power and Rebellion" by noted historian and calypsonian, Dr. Hollis "chalkdust" Liverpool, is a masterpiece of scholarship, insight and impressive research. An in-depth study of the evolution of Carnival in the Caribbean and in Trinidad & Tobago in particular, "Rituals Of Power & Rebellion" is that history lesson, which needed to be told and which now needs to be read by all people of the African Diaspora. Dr. Liverpool uses his wonderful skills as a storyteller to keep his readers enthralled as he unravels the many layers of social, anthropological, cultural and musical history, which have contributed to the survival and evolution of Carnival. As a history of Carnival, "Rituals Of Power & Rebellion is unparalleled. It covers all aspects of Carnival's growth and evolution. The book takes the reader beyond the shores of Trinidad & Tobago as it examines the strong cultural and social ties, which kept the displaced and enslaved African closely connected to his African traditions, as evidenced by the nature and characteristics of the Caribbean masquerade. "Enslavement, then, did not cut the cultural rope linking Africa to the New World. Rather, there was always continuity and change. ... The Carnival in Trinidad then, was filled with African traditions of mask, masking, masquerading, singing and dancing." Dr. Liverpool shows how European and other ethnic traditions also influenced the manner in which Carnival evolved. "The tradition of Carnival, it will be seen, was utilzed by the people as part of their organized cultural resistance, to check the imposition of European values and customs on Africans generally." "Rituals Of Power & Rebellion" is a wealth of information. It brings together many of the elements - positive and negative - which have contributed to the social and cultural evolution of the displaced and enslaved African. It gives the reader an in-depth look at the traditions and customs of Africa, which survived the Middle Passage -- those African myths, customs and rituals, which are so important to the heritage of the displaced African wherever he happens to be. "That the Carnival tradition survived from 1783 to 1962 was due in no small measure to the resilience of the Africans in Trinidad and their determination to carry out their West African traditions despite the attempts of the dominant elites and the Colonial Government to rob them of their memories and legacies." Calypso is traditional Carnival and Dr. Liverpool gives his readers a master's course on this subject as he shows the direct relationship of calypso to the music of Africa in technique, rhythm and style. "The roots of music and dance as contained in the Carnival of Trinidad go back therefore to Africa, where music is integral to almost all aspects of community life". The book gives a detailed look at the various musical instruments and the patterns of music, which have influenced the development of calypso, as well as other forms of Caribbean music. It is a fascinating account, which gives, in great details, evidence of the strong connection, which the music of the Caribbean still has with the African continent. We are told that, "Singing in the Caribbean followed the African impromptu style and call-and -response pattern." Dr. Liverpool gives such an in-depth analysis of the subject that this book becomes a most useful reference for students of Caribbean/African musicology. "RITUALS OF POWER & REBELLION" educates the reader on the evolution of Carnival, the music and the masking and, in so doing, gives a remarkably in-depth historical review of the period in question. Not only does it provide the political and cultural aspects of the celebration of carnival from 1763 to 1962, but it also gives an insightful account of Trinidad's history during that period.It shows the indubitable spirit of the displaced and enslaved African in the struggle to survive the harshest of conditions in a place far removed from the land of his forefathers. On reading "RITUALS OF POWER & REBELLION" one becomes acutely conscious of the important role of a people's heritage on their cultural and social evolution, often in ways not usually considered. Dr. Liverpool has written an exceptional book. To his credit as a storyteller, this remarkable historical account flows beautifully and becomes an easy read. It will, no doubt, become an important part of the scholarship for students of Afro/Caribbean studies. It should also become a much-used reference on bookshelves in the homes of anyone interested in the evolution of Carnival in the caribbean and in the cultural history of people of the African Diaspora. Hats off to Dr. Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool for such an impressive tour de fource...Kanchan Gilfillian & Anthony County... New York, N.Y.

Running: Politics, Power, And The Press by Harry Lonsdale is a "tell-all" account of what it is really like to run for political office in America today. From the difficulties of fund raising; to proposals for campaign finance reform; to simply having to try again when one's first run for office doesn't work, Running: Politics, Power, And The Press studies why the best man doesn't always win in American-style politics, and what it takes to truly handle the complex process of surviving an election. If you are considering a run for elected office (or are a supporter of someone who is) then give a close and careful reading to Harry Lonsdale's Running: Politics, Power, And The Press!

Regardless of your political affiliation, if you're interested in what goes on behind the scenes in a contemporary political campaign, this is the book to read. Having read it, I believe you will, like me, become deeply concerned about the future of our country and thus your future and that of your family.

It is the 7th game of the world series. The pitcher walks to the umpire and hands him ten thousand dollars. The batter hands the ump five thousand dollars. The ump says "Play Ball". Throughout the game the umpire makes close calls and gets handed money by the players. Throughout, the ump says that he was not influenced in his calls by the money.

Welcome to American politics. Harry Lonsdale is a well known figure from Oregon's recent political past--a three time candidate for U.S. Senator. This book describes the process of running for high office, and losing, from the mellowed perspective of seven to twelve years' time.

The book is a must-read for anyone running, or helping someone run, for high political office, especially in Oregon. And it will give the much wider audience of the tens of thousands of people who receive fundraising calls from candidates some sense of the anguish on the other end of the line. It gives a detailed view of the process of running: his motivation to run, the setting up a campaign staff, speechmaking, handshaking, meeting-going, and especially of the numbing process of dialing for dollars from individual contributors. It was most detailed in its view of the 1990 election between Mark Hatfield and Harry Lonsdale, Hatfield's only close brush with electoral defeat.

The book isn't a tell-all. No great secrets are finally told. And it isn't particularly a book of score-settling. A number of people disappointed Harry over the years (particularly senior Democrats who thought they would 'back a winner' and supported Hatfield) but Harry is quite kind to those people. The news media angered Harry, but the anger has mellowed into disappointment and resignation that the news media are simply businesses, in it for the money, not the opportunity to create a better democracy. Mssrs. Goldschmidt, AuCoin, Hatfield, and Packwood are all described negatively, as is most of the news media, but the comments aren't meanspirited, and are positively fairminded when compared to the 30-second attack ads that marked the campaign wars.

Harry describes the power of money in politics, from the unique vantage point of someone who had some (which allowed him to be the candidate to take on Hatfield in 1990) and of someone who didn't have enough (when he lost to the even richer Tom Bruggere in 1996).

Harry learned at first hand the close relation between money and political power and he suggests some solutions: campaign finance reform, greater access by candidates to the public airways. This book confirms that Harry is still an idealist, still a liberal, still an environmentalist, and still an outsider trying to change the system.

Dr. Wayne Dyer really practices what he lectures about . . . I
just heard him on a PBS special, in which he described how he
often sends those who write him a gift for no special reason . . . so when he graciously sent me his live lecture tape series, SECRETS OF YOUR OWN HEALING POWER, I rushed to listen to it . . . my reaction: WOW!

As is the case with any book or tape put out by Dyer, you'll be
inspired and informed when experiencing it . . . in addition, you'll be entertained (as was the group of chiropractic professionals fortunate to be able to hear him).

He emphasizes that the secrets to healing are not somewhere "out
there," but rather, healing is something that takes place inside each and every one of us, occurring when we "connect to our Source" and bring Spirit to the disease." He emphasizes that healers need to be able to banish doubt and see their clients as individuals who already possess the capacity to heal themselves. That is, those with health challenges need to have someone in their energy field who truly believes that healing can take place.

These other observations by Dyer also caught my attention:
Doctors when they misdiagnose . . . do they then agree to having
misbilled?

When you place a label on somebody you negate them. You then
begin to treat the label, not the person.

Four words will end all conflicts in relationships: You're right about that.

I really enjoyed the audio book. I felt Mr. Dryer had a good sense of humor yet realistic goals that we can all find our way to. I feel this book would be good for anyone trying to let go of past anger, disappointment, or pain. I have recommended it to many clients of our health library, and the therapists at our clinic are now referring clients to it as well.

Dr. Dyer has done it again. Combining the best of all spiritual traditions to understand the possibilities of self inner healing. Using his own real life experiences and relating his journey he takes us on a path of transcendence as well as transformation. A must for all who would seek to take responsibility for there situation in life and decide to begin self perfection.

This book will really help you to appreciate maps and their use through out history. Easily understood and very well written. This is must read for anyone who is even slightly interesred in maps.

As librarians in Bergen County, N.J., we highly recommend "Seeing Through Maps" for all library collections. This a wonderfully illustrated, interestingly written book. It is especially good for the young adult collection as it is accurate, clear and attractively laid out. Young adults coming into the library find it easily understood and packed full of information. This book would be very helpful in both public and school libraries.

I highly recommend this title, whether you are or are not a map enthusiast. The book is easy to follow for anyone with at least a junior high school education, and informative, even if you are a college graduate. It will give you a new appreciation of maps and their important role in our history and our world today. This is the type of book that will make you a "map geek" even if you never really thought that much about the subject before you picked up the book.

This book stands head and shoulders above every book on the subject that has come out since, especially the recent glut of "new age" fluff books. (Hint: never subscribe to a philosophy with a name that rhymes with "sewage.")

This book is one of the more sophisticated of the books that deals with this topic. Givin in a traditional fashion that could be annoted only to such a scholar, and pioneer, as John Woodroffe. The detail is uncompairable and unless you have a solid understanding for the language and representations, it is a hard read.

This work will bring the reader into the power of Devatma Shakti Kundalini just by reading and pondering the text. Old feelings will find a home in the transformation from experience to understanding as the book flows forward. Gentle delight is the mark of a true Tantric text and this book, although strange and difficult at times, is pure de-light. If you want to know about Chakras and such, this is a classic text by one who really knows. Old and grand, this is a favorite treasure of mine and one I give away regularly to friends who must have more. Lam-to-Aum... Riley Jackson

If you want to read a more complete book check out Arnold's newest book on forgivness. "Why Forgive" This is all of Seventy Times Seven and much more. You have to get it.

Seventy Times Seven is a treasure trove...It is beautiful. Seventy Times Seven is simple, transparent, and caring. Everyone who reads this book will delight in it. It is simple and direct. An awsome Christmas and Anniversary gift.

This is an awsome book. A must for every serious reader. For it covers a subject virtually everyone of us wrestles with. Seventy Times Seven is full of honest and touching stories - many based on personal experiences of the author - These stories model forgiveness in a deeply and profound way. This book is available now and would make excellent Christmas gifts. I have ordered and received copies for every member of my family.

I've read this book 3 times over the years and refer back to it often. The book has helped me in so many ways and on so many different levels. The author is needed to continue writing many more such books so we can address this male/female power imbalance in society.

This important book has been around for a decade, and I'm pleased to see it is still in print. Rutter, a psychiatrist affiliated with the C.G.Jung Institute, was one of the first authors I know of to publish a book in the popular press about this topic. He demonstrates clearly the essential nature and healing potential of maintaining appropriate boundaries in helping relationships. Although I might, as a female mental health professional, take issue with his unilateral depiction of the man-as-powerful/woman-as-victim dynamic, his point is certainly well taken. I've read this book twice over the years.

Whether you are a man in a position of power/authority, or a woman who routinely encounters men in power and authority, this book should be required reading. Men using their positions of power and authority to victimize women is a problem of huge proportions. Some men are predators, some men are culpably ignorant of their own individual weaknesses. Dr Rutter attacks this issue of sexual tensions in relationships between men and the women who should be able to trust these men. His true stories are very clear and chilling. They are chilling because if you are honest, you can see yourself in those situations. Dr. Rutter has expressed the subtle emotional undercurrents that go on within a man-woman work/professional relationship better than any other book I have ever read. He does not mince words or try to nicely talk around blunt, painful and destructive sexual encounters within the "Forbidden Zone." If you want to bury your head in the sand and pretend that these interpersonal sexual dynamics are not there, then stay away from this book. If you want to deal with reality, try to understand yourself and safeguard your professional relationships, then read this book.

Necro Publishing does it again by teaming up 2 old Lee novellas, "Header" and "The Pig", while adding a new one, "The Horn-Cranker", in for good measure. Edward Lee goes 3 for 3 with this collection. For hardcore horror fans only. You've been warned.

Sex, Drugs & Power Tools is a collection of three lurid, hardcore, sex and violence turbocharged horror novellas by Edward Lee in the tradition of the most infamous pulp fiction. The novellas include: Header; The Pig; and The Horn-Cranker. Not for the faint of heart, these sensationally written, mesmerically compelling, extensively vicious thrill rides of the mind fully and completely capture the reader's total attention with hideous intensity. Highly recommended -- but not for the squeamish.

It's a shame the world is full of too many prudes who can't appreciate a good story involving sex, drugs, and power tools, because Ed Lee is in top form here. This book combines two of Lee's better known novellas from years gone by with a brand new story to make one of the newest additions to my top five favorite of all time list.

First is "Header". I'd heard for years about this Lee story called "Header" and always wondered, "What's a header." I can see now why this story's gained so much recognition. Ed Lee does what not a lot of writers of this type of horror can do--he makes you forget what initially got you into the story--the header--and soon you're involved in the story under that one--the REAL story. Header is a story of desperation and revenge. You come in meeting Travis Tuckton, learning about headers, and soon you realize, Hey that's not even what this story is about. Travis isn't the main character. Who's this cop, Cummings? He's the one to focus on. Header is nothing more than a cop story, turned up to eleven.

Then "The Pig". My only complaint about "The Pig" is the last 15 pages or so. And that's Ed's fault because he did such a great job building everything up, my expectations were high. All Leonard wants is to make his low budget movie and win the Sundance Film Festival, and he knows he can win because his movie, based on his own college-written short story, "The Confessor" is great. So, where does a guy fresh out of prison and with no prospects go to get funding for a movie? Thank God for Rocco who loans him the cash. Well, thank God until Rocco comes back a few days later looking for his money back. To pay the debt, Leonard is put to work, and this is where the story kicks into gear. I read this story in just a couple of days, grabbing whatever free time I could find to get through another couple pages, feeling sorry for poor Leonard and knowing I would never want his job. Remember the movie "8mm"? Same subject matter, but "The Pig" doesn't have Nicolas Cage moping around the screen and boring anyone.

And again, my only complaint here is that, with the kind of buildup Lee gives us here, I was expecting some big action-packed climax, a showdown between Leonard and Rocco (and Knuckles), but Lee chose the "let's give them something they weren't expecting" route and surprised me.

Last is "The Horn-Cranker", a story that should be winning some kind of award for Lee sometime. Dean Lohan, South Dakota Horn-Cranking champion and basic redneck, lives in Seattle now with his "loving" wife. But when his father goes into a coma, Dean has to go back home, where he finds something has been killing children by the dozens. This was my favorite story and a first-class job by Ed Lee. My wife and I were talking about this story last night, trying to decide who would make good cast members for "Horn-Cranker" the movie (I'm sticking by my vote for Bruce Campbell, but then I think he should be in everything), because it seems such a perfect choice for one of those independent horror movies that is able to go beyond what Hollywood will do . This is a story that could take Ed Lee to new heights in his career--well it seems from what I've read that his novel "City Infernal" might just do that, but this story could, too. I hate to use a King comparison when reviewing another horror writer, but this time I have to. because reading "The Horn-Cranker" it was like Lee has taken the best elements of a Stephen King novella, the stuff that makes King's novellas the great things they can be, and given them new strength, new life, and new intensity, to make the perfect combination of horror and humor in a long time.

There's a different level of energy to these stories that I don't often see in horror anymore. Some of today's horror seems more interested in style over substance, while some horror seems more concerned with what's going to gross out the reader. But Ed Lee's on a different plain from the rest of us and there's nobody else who does what he does quite like him. He's quickly proving, with each new book I read from him, that he's just a step or two above what the rest of us are doing these days.

Tae Yun Kim's book, Seven Steps to Inner Power, is a great introduction to taking charge of your (my) life, and Silent Master takes all the great pointers and insights and wisdom of the first book and expands on it even further. There are short insights and meditations, and simple practice sessions outlined on how to apply all the great thoughts and insights in your daily life. I pick up the book for just a minute or two every day to help get a great re-charge and keep me positive and focused. If there was ever a manual written on how to have a happy and successful life, this is it!

This book is suprising in how well it describes the rewards and difficulties I've gone through as I've decided to improve my own life and look for something better. It has actually encouraged me to set and achieve much higher goals than I ever would have on my own! What's more, it continues to motivate and encourage me, because it helps me identify many of the road blocks I run into, and helps me find ways around them.

The examples given of Grandmaster Kim's own life and experiences make it obvious that she has personal experience with the whole process, including the discouragements and disappointments of making mistakes. But it's also obvious that she has personal experience pushing past those obstacles, because she delivers new ways of facing challenges that I haven't found anywhere else -- ways that for me have actually worked, and lasted.

People have told me before "Yes, you can do it!" But Grandmaster Kim's books go much further than that, also telling me *why* and *how*. I honestly haven't found that support anywhere else, and this book has paid for itself many, many times over! I highly recommend it!

In my view, throw away any other self-help or motivational books you have and just read "Silent Master". The wisdom Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim shares in "Silent Master" is so clear and simple. I read snipets of this book every day becuase it constantly inspires and motivates me. It's given me the courage to overcome weaknesses (like being shy) that I thought were impossible to overcome.

This book is an awesome example of what Father can do when we as his children believe what he has said.

If you want to read what happens to a life totally opened to be used by God, read this. If you need inspiration by another's example to believe for the for the impossible, no matter what; read this. If you want encouragement to be the most you can be in Christ, read this. If, in the midst of a world that teaches you that God no longer moves as he once did; you want to be used in the power of the Holy Spirit, read this! If you want to be able to beleive for the miraculous, whether in healing, deliverance, salvation, or God's provisions, read this! It does not make you want to be like Wigglesworth. (He would be upset at it's title!) What it does is make you want to be all that you can be to accomplish the most for Jesus.

This underappreciated book was written by a close personal friend of Smith Wigglesworth who received healing as a child under the ministry of another Wigglesworth friend. Hibbert came to the evangelist's attention and enjoyed his fellowship throughout his childhood and formative years of his ministry. Hibbert unveils the handful of secrets of Wigglesworth's power in the Holy Ghost. This plumber turned evangelist learned to read with the Bible as his primer and stubbornly refused to read anything else. He considered feeding his spirit with the Word paramount to feeding the body, and would after dinner insist on reading a chapter aloud from his New Testament or Bible, which never left him, no matter who the company was. He would then take a few minutes for prayer. This is one example of how Wigglesworth, day in and day out, numerous times a day, fed and strengthened his spirit. Along with his ability to slip into the presence of God wherever he might be, his natural, virtual unending flow of prayer with his Heavenly Father, and his daily walk in the perfect love of Christ, this secret propelled Wigglesworth into the vortex of the Holy Ghost. Through these secrets, he became a juggernaut of faith, an apostle for whom Satan was no match. "Ever Increasing Faith" by Wigglesworth and Stanley Frodsham's "Smith Wigglesworth: Apostle of Faith" are also highly recommended.