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The Rastafarians | 
 enlarge | Author: Leonard E. Barrett
Publisher: Beacon Press
Category: Book
List Price: $16.00
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Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 50670
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Pages: 306
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.4 x 0.9
ISBN: 0807010391
Dewey Decimal Number: 299.676
UPC: 046442010399
EAN: 9780807010396
ASIN: 0807010391
Publication Date: December 12, 1997
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Product Description
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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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 At least there's some worthwhile content February 23, 2001
B. Jackson
21 out of 30 found this review helpful
As I have an interest in studying various sects, and had not yet spent much time learning about Rastafarianism, I bought this book for an introduction to that faith. I will say that there is much valuable content in it regarding the history of Jamaica and Jamaican slavery and the beliefs and rituals of various Rastafarian groups, and even an interesting though slim aside on the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. On the other hand, the writing is amateurish and repetitive. Perhaps each chapter began life initially as an individual paper and Barrett later compiled separate papers into his book, without removing repetitive, overlapping information. However, this does not explain the overall fair, and sometimes poor, quality of the writing in general. Additionally, while often bending over backward to apologize for questionable aspects of Rastafarian history, he seems to treat other religious traditions on the island with an attitude of judgmental disdain. Though I learned a good deal of history, I did not feel that I was reading a scholarly work.
 A very good overview of Rastafarianism August 5, 2007
William Courson (Montclair, NJ USA)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
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.
 the most overlooked book i've read in rastafari September 30, 1999
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
thorough, this gives the reader a great look at Rasta through a Jamaican point of view. the boba man is covered in his earlier days. the binghi is given proper place in rasta. flaws include the lack of identification given to Gad as his picture is there. much attention was given to Sam Brown, is that a good thing? not sure, but this book is to one the pre-cursor as far as an outsider learning about Rasta.
The Definitive Study of a misunderstood Faith February 12, 2001
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
The Rastafarians is an exceptional work that chronicles the development of Rastafarianism in historical and sociological contexts. In his thoroughly researched work, Leonard E. Barrett, Sr. examines several aspects of the faith, from the conditions of British-ruled Jamaica from which it would rise to its political role in the Jamaican elections of the 1970s. The author addresses popular heroes of the faith such as Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley, but he also gives mention to lesser known figures, such as Leonard Howell, an early leader of the movement, and Sam Brown, the first "Rasta politician." Also included is a chapter on beliefs, rituals and symbols that brings clarity to the creed of Rastafarianism, a faith that is often dismissed as little more than dreadlocks, marijuana smoking and reggae music. One of the most intriguing elements of the book is the author's account of Haile Selassie's visit to Jamaica in 1966 and how the Rastas received him. Barrett's book is a scholarly work, but it is not loaded down with academic jargon. The Rastafarians is a must read for anyone interested in the movement.
Jah Rastafari! March 1, 2004
Jason Nelson (Kansas City, MO USA)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Being somewhat familiar with the Rastafari movement already and being somewhat fascinated by the culture I decided to read this book. The book starts out by tracing the history of slavery in Jamaica and outlining the conditions that precipitated a movement such as Rastafarianism which seeks a more equitable and just society. A decent amount is dedicated to Ethiopia and the idea of Ethiopianism where Rastafarians basically view this country in the same way as Zion is viewed by the Jews. Later elaboration explains mythical elements of the religion as well as the symbols, beliefs and rituals of the group such as smoking herb for a deeper understanding of a cosmic consciousness. I especially enjoyed the parts in the book where the author expounded upon the artistic improvements Rastas have made not only in Jamaica but the world over with things such as reggae music. Also kudos to him for talking about Bob Marley because he is a good reason the religion has gained popularity the world over. I won't give this book a 5 of 5 though because I did find the last chapter to be somewhat rambling and some of the ideas in the book are repeated a little bit too much for my taste. I think some people who aren't as interested in the movement as I am would have a little trouble keeping interested the whole way through. All-in-all though I think this is a pretty good read and does a good job explaining the basics of the Rastafarian beliefs and also gives detail about the socio-economic factors that contributed to this voice against colonialism and oppression.
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