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Summary: A Revealing, Critical Understanding of These Tribal People
Review: I came across this book without much intention, and it proved to be a revealing, first-hand account of the traveling Rom peoples of Europe in the early 20th century. Yoors lived with the Rom on and off through their genocidal persecution under Hitler's regime. A lyrical writer, Yoors captures a detailed essence of these people whose seemingly mysterious ways, he points out, were often perpetuated by the Rom themselves as defense mechanisms against civilized culture (or Gadje, the outsiders). His account demonstrates personal and cultural revelations about how the Rom have been persecuted through time in the form of outright racism, genocide, and overt hostility which continues through today. The US only recently -- 1998 -- decided to stop officially discriminating against US-based Rom, and the word 'gyp' is still commonly used as a slur even among seemingly enlightened people. More importantly, Yoors' account reveals how, despite the racist, mysterious, mainstream view of the Rom, they instead lived a relatively harmless, carefree, dependable and sustainable lifestyle in which each tribal member was (is) cared for. Dysfunction among the nomadic Rom pales in comparison to that of so-called civilized people. Perhaps tracts such as this one will be impetus for a certain new tribal evolution in the face of a clearly threatened collapse of civilization.
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Summary: An inside look at gypsy life by one of the best raconteurs
Review: I knew Jan in New York City in the 60's and he was a great story teller, indeed. This is a great book to take turns reading out loud on a car trip with children say 10 and over.
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Summary: Finally!
Review: I read this book when I was in high school(13 years ago)... an old overlooked copy from the library, which I think they disposed of immediately after I returned it. I have looked for it in book stores and libraries all over the place since then and could find no evidence of it's existence... until now! This book made me want to run away to be with the Gypsies, I can't wait to read it again!
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Summary: Finally!
Review: I read this book when I was in high school(13 years ago)... an old overlooked copy from the library, which I think they disposed of immediately after I returned it. I have looked for it in book stores and libraries all over the place since then and could find no evidence of it's existence... until now! This book made me want to run away to be with the Gypsies, I can't wait to read it again!
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Summary: long live wanderlust
Review: i stole this book from my father and it was worth it. although i may never get very deep in gypsy culture, i found it a wonderful adventure to read about. another great book is 'gypsy tales', oop by protter.
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Summary: A Wonderful Book... Read it, Lend it, Buy it Again...
Review: Jan Yoors parents let the gypies take their child -- literally. That's a lurid way to describe it, but they let him spend his summers traveling with gypsies for many years during his youth. This book tells that story, and it is equal parts transporting magical memories and anthropology.
Like many others, I read this book in college 20+ years ago and it has remained a favorite ever since. A few copies of this have passed through my hands, been lent to others, and disappeared. It was out of print for a long time, so it is wonderful to see it available again.
Discover this book and I'll bet you lose a copy or two as you recommend and pass it on to others.
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Summary: Lyrically written and very moving
Review: Jan Yoors ran away at a young age from his phenomenally understanding Belgian parents and lived on and off with a Lowara gypsy kumpana for many years. Always split between the worlds of the Gajo (European) and Rom (Gypsy) he nevertheless became one of them though never totally abandoning his European heritage. His writing is nothing short of miraculous; lyrical, clear and touching. Jan Yoors also wrote a follow up book (Crossings) about his years in the Resistance during WWII. Both books are truly wonderful. If you read any book about the Romany people, this should be the one.
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Summary: Great Story
Review: Refreshing book after all the books I have read on the subject of the Romani. Most books are either academic or journalistic.
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Summary: An inside look at gypsy life by one of the best raconteurs
Review: The account of Jan Yoors' travels with the romani captures the spirit of gypsy life better than the more academic anthropological reviews I have read. I would recomment this book for anyone wanting to learn more about their heritage or about the beautiful and oft misunderstood culture of the Rom.
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Summary: Captures the Rom spirit
Review: The account of Jan Yoors' travels with the romani captures the spirit of gypsy life better than the more academic anthropological reviews I have read. I would recomment this book for anyone wanting to learn more about their heritage or about the beautiful and oft misunderstood culture of the Rom.
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