Carolina Academic Press
Asian ritual systems; syncretisms and ruptures.
Eleven international academics and researchers contribute ten chapters exploring the ways that ritual practices have responded to, or have been a part of, historical and political changes in Asia. Reflecting the dynamically altering state of ritual practices and their place in social life, the emphasis throughout the text is on complex connections between ritual, state and local politics, and changing senses of local and personal identity. The chapters have been reprinted from the Journal of Ritual Studies, volume 19.1. The text will appeal to anthropologists, historians, and scholars of religion and ritual studies. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
A comprehensive review of revised article 9.
This volume presents a review and explanation of Revised Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, particularly revisions to the areas of Scope, Attachment, Perfection, Priority, and Default provisions. Commentary on the differences from the previous version is provided, as well as outlines of the revised rules. Legal applications are described through examples, and multiple choice questions and discussion are included. The book is aimed at students or practitioners. Gibson teaches law at U. of Akron. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
A form and style manual for paralegals.
In this concise and accessible guide for paralegals and students, Gallacher explains how to produce professional legal documents of the kind most often used in litigation. Each stage of the writing process is covered, from gathering information through writing successive drafts and proofreading the final version. Gallacher is Director of Legal Research and Writing at Syracuse U. College of Law. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
The hidden world; survival of pagan shamanic themes in European fairytales. (DVD-ROM included)
Three classics scholars and an anthropologist find in European folktales subtle references to shamanic initiation and journeys, and to psychoactive drugs they believe shamans used to kick-start such experiences. Their topics include roses, apples, and fairytale mushrooms; conniving wolves; the sleep thorn; stewed in God's brew; and familiar foods. The disk contains a slide show. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Resisting state iconoclasm among the Loma of Guinea.
Højbjerg (anthropology, U. of Copenhagen) argues that the persistence of apparently robust religious practice of the Loma people of West Africa cannot be fully explained as a reaction to external determinants and manipulation by some local elite, as the anthropology convention would have it. He proposes a composite approach that also includes cultural robustness, and intrinsic determinants associated with the cognitive-psychological and relational aspects of an existing cultural practice. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)