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	• The Rastafarians Leonard E. Barrett Beacon Press, 1997 - 306 pages average customer review:based on 14 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A very good overview of Rastafarianism

A very good overview of Rastafarianism

Leonard E. Barrett, Sr., is graduate professor of religion at Temple University and the current printing of "The Rastafarians" is the twentieth anniversary edition of an important study of the society, culture, religion, history, ideology, and influence of the Rastafarians of Jamaica.

Professor Barrett has written a most comprehensive study of the Rastafarians, one perhaps deserving to be called a definitive study, spanning as it does the several decades of the movement's history. Professor Barrett is not a Rastaman, but is sympathetic to the movement and broadly if critically supportive of its aims.

I purchased this book for an introduction to to Rastafarianism, having been only very superficially acquainted with it. This is an ideal work for a reader to whom Rastafarianism is new as it provides a detailed yet brief history of Jamaica and the institution of slavery, the social cleavages that arose out of slavery, the lasting effects of colonialism and racial discrimination, and the history, doctrine, polity and ritual of the several Rastafarian groupings.

The book covers all the major doctrines of the religion, a history of it important personages, its social and political aims and contributions, and the various denominations within the tradition that have developed over the decades. I especially enjoyed the author's providing of some personal accounts of his interactions with Rastafarians in Jamaica.

Professor Barrett has made the Rastafarian religion and culture an object of fascination for me, and a subject of which I want to learn a great deal more.

I highly recommend this book.

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I found this book helpful

This is the first book I read on Rastafarianism. I chose it because the author is not a Rastafarian, but he is sympathetic to the religion. Consequently, as I had hoped the book was both objective and lacked any persuasive intent.

The author situates the Rastafarian religion in the history, culture and politics of Jamaica. I appreciated the author providing these connections because it gave the religion a rootedness in time and place that a work which only covered the doctrines of the religion would not afford.

The book covers all the major doctrines of the religion, a history of it principal religious figures, its hopes and aspirations, its cultural contributions, and the various "schools" or "denominations" within the religion that have developed over the years. I particularly enjoyed the author's ability to speak objectively about the religion as well as provide some personal accounts of his interactions with Rastafarians in Jamaica. He made the religion fascinating to me, something I want to study more.

I highly recommend this book.

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Want to start learning about Rastafarians?

This book was an excellent reference for my begining research on Rasta's, especially how they came about. If you don't know much about this culture & people, this is a good base.

very interesting

I found this book to be a very interesting and informative book about the history of the slaves in Jamaica and the lifestyles of Rastafarians on the island

Rasta

I really enjoyed this book. What's so amazing about this book is that it is a history text AND totally readable. It goes into depth about various cultural aspects. When you finish reading you will feel you have a very good handle on Rastafarianism.
I have to admit the part about Haile Selassie being their prophet was a big reality check. Like a reality check into their religious world, which like all religions is delusional. I suppose, however, that everyone can take from it what they want.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

The twentieth anniversary edition of the classic study of the culture, religion, history, ideology, and influence of the Rastafarians of Jamaica.

"Barrett offers the most comprehensive study to date of the Rastafarians."

?Bulletin of the Center for the Study of World Religions
"The most thorough, careful consideration of the Rasta phenomenon available to the general reader."

? The Boston Phoenix

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