A House for Mr. Biswas

Book Description

The early masterpiece of V. S. Naipaul’s brilliant career, A House for Mr. Biswas is an unforgettable story inspired by Naipaul's father that has been hailed as one of the twentieth century's finest novels.

In his forty-six short years, Mr. Mohun Biswas has been fighting against destiny to achieve some semblance of independence, only to face a lifetime of calamity. Shuttled from one residence to another after the drowning death of his father, for which he is inadvertently responsible, Mr. Biswas yearns for a place he can call home. But when he marries into the domineering Tulsi family on whom he indignantly becomes dependent, Mr. Biswas embarks on an arduous–and endless–struggle to weaken their hold over him and purchase a house of his own. A heartrending, dark comedy of manners, A House for Mr. Biswas masterfully evokes a man’s quest for autonomy against an emblematic post-colonial canvas.

Customer Reviews:

Incomparable.......2006-11-29

Naipaul is a genius.This book is above and beyond.If after reading this book you don't acknowledge Naipaul's genius, you can feel free to consider yourself a functional illiterate who has no love for the english language or understandig of the human condition.

Good Grief This Was Bad!.......2006-03-08

I am an AVID reader, pretty intelligent and read at least 1-2 books a week (more when on vacation). I have read books about all kinds of people in all cultures...and this book turned into a quest...a quest to FINISH it!!! I never stop reading a book once I start it, but I was about ready to shoot myself in order to end my distress. If you want to read a REALLY, REALLY good book about desperation in the Indian culture, you simply MUST, MUST, MUST read "A Fine Balance"...one of the best books I have ever read. It's always on my suggested reading list when people ask me for the name of a good book...along with "Life of Pi." I simply don't understand all the wonderful remarks about this book. It went on and on and on and on with the same thing happening to this man over and over...with only a change in his location. It would pick up every now and again, and I would think "now it's going to start to get interesting" but I was only entertained for a page or two before Mr. Biswas returned to his same ol' depressing self, repeating the same mistakes over and over and over and over and over and over...well you get the point. Boring, boring book. I would have given it 0 stars but that wasn't an option.

The Tragic Of The Commonplace.......2006-02-27

A rich, almost moment-to-moment depiction in the life of a hapless Trinidadian Indian, "A House For Mr. Biswas" is V.S. Naipaul's answer to "David Copperfield," a novel that uses his real-life experiences as showcase for his art and his darkly complex view of humanity.

Mohun Biswas didn't get many breaks in his life. Born into a miserable family made destitute by the freakish death of his father, he lost his vocation to be a holy man when forced to eat too many bananas, then took to sign painting, which landed him into a loveless marriage, not to mention a set of in-laws who browbeat him mercilessly.

All this is by means of saying "A House For Mr. Biswas" is a comedy that depends on your frame of reference. If you get worked up about butchered puppies, conniving solicitor's clerks, communist brothers-in-law who slap children for mishandling hands of cards, etc., you may find this book a long, difficult read. But if you approach it as a work of fiction, you may enjoy it for the rich gumbo it offers.

"She talked with pride of the beatings she had received from her short-lived husband," is Naipaul's description of one minor character, one of Biswas' in-laws. "She regarded them as a necessary part of her training and often attributed the decay of Hindu society in Trinidad to the rise of the timorous, weak, non-beating class of husband."

Few characters come off well, including Biswas, a drip who whines about the in-laws even as he eats their food. His one hope for redemption, it seems, is to find a house to call his own, but each effort to do this brings only greater grief and ruin, financial and otherwise.

I can see why people find this a tough slog, but of course Naipaul isn't writing to schmooze his readers with ideas of what a humanitarian he is. He may be the most dyspeptic Nobel laureate in history, though his uncompromising vision is also the source of much of his power. That's not to say "A House For Mr. Biswas" is without grace, just lacking sentimentality as it roots through the various passages of Mr. Biswas's life with pinpoint precision and pinprick candor. By the end, you feel much like you lived his life with him minute-by-minute, which may be Naipaul's most impressive feat in this very impressive book.

The absence of a central plot as well as the length makes this a harder read than other Naipaul tomes, and those wanting more of a story and less of a character piece may want to start with something like "A Bend In The River," which has other things going for it, too.

Sure, I found this heavy-going, but I was glad to read it, and read it again. At one point, Biswas's son, a stand-in for Naipaul himself, talks about Eliot's poem "Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufock," and there is a similar theme running through both that classic comic poem and this novel, something about the tragic of the commonplace and of the unique perspective of life's futility one reaches at middle age.

There is beauty as well as misery in such a view, of Naipaul making peace with an unhappy past. The same novel that throws up a rogue's gallery of misery makers, which torment our feckless protagonist with disconcerting ease, also dishes out lines that make you understand why life is worth living after all, why it has a nobility: "So later, and very slowly, in securer times of different stresses, when the memories had lost the power to hurt, with pain or joy, they would fall into place and give back the past."

A masterpiece without question........2006-02-19

It has been too long since I read this book [probably 15 years ago] for me to offer an erudite and detailed analysis. But I do remember vividly that when I read it that the word "masterpiece" came repeatedly to my mind. In a league with Thackeray's "Vanity Fair" and Paul Scott's "The Raj Quartet". Find the time to read it; you won't regret it.

The Life of a Looser.......2005-11-03

Big Book with no plot, the thing that makes it a classic is that Naipaul seems to write without any prejudice, from a very cold perspective this book changed my life like any other book. It is simply amazing.

The Rough Guide to Trinidad and tobago 3 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Average customer rating:

I would give this book 10 stars if it were possible
They did their work...
Very helpful
Could have been better organized

The Rough Guide to Trinidad and tobago 3 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
Dominique De-Light , and Polly Thomas
Manufacturer: Rough Guides
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1843533405

Book Description

INTRODUCTION

Just off the coast of the South American mainland they were once part of, Trinidad and Tobago (usually shortened to T&T) form the southernmost islands of the Lesser Antilles chain and the most influential republic in the Eastern Caribbean. They are the most exciting, underexplored and uncontrived of Caribbean islands, rich in indigenous culture. A cultural pacemaker best known as the home and heart of West Indian Carnival, the nation can also boast having the most diverse and absorbing society in the region.

Trinidad and Tobago remain relatively inexpensive, and are well geared to independent travellers without being fully fledged tourist resorts. Natural reserves of gas and oil combined with a strong manufacturing industry have ensured economic independence, and you'll find the islands refreshingly unfettered by the pretensions of the tourist trade. Visitors are not corralled in all-inclusives or holed up on private beaches, and - though you could easily spend two weeks exploring seashores, which range from palm-lined white sand fringed by limpid waters to secluded, wave-whipped outcrops - you'll find there's far more to T&T than suntans and snorkelling.

These are among the richest destinations in the Caribbean for eco-tourism, combining the characteristic flora and fauna of the region with the wilder aspect of the South American mainland. You'd be hard pressed to come up with anywhere that offers such a variety of habitats in such a compact area (Trinidad covers no more than 4830 square kilometres, Tobago just 300). In Trinidad, you can hike through undisturbed tropical rainforest where towering canopies of mahogany and teak bedecked with lianas and epiphytic plants shelter red howler monkeys and ocelots. The wetlands and mangrove swamps harbour all manner of exotic wildlife, while leatherback turtles lay eggs on remote beaches. Huge blue emperor butterflies flit around the cool waters of innumerable inland rivers and waterfalls, and the birdwatching - with more than 430 brilliantly hued species - is among the world's best. Tobago is best known for its glorious beaches and stunning coral reefs, declared third best in the Caribbean by Jacques Cousteau and favoured by graceful seven-metre manta rays and shoals of technicolour tropical fish.

Equally absorbing are T&T's vital, crowded and dynamic towns and cities, unique showcases for the architectural, religious and cultural traditions of their cosmopolitan populations. Fretworked townhouses, Georgian-style mansions and barrack-house complexes built for plantation workers sit side by side with temples, mosques, Catholic cathedrals and Anglican churches. The varied ethnic groups brought to labour in the islands after the slaves there were freed in 1834 have given rise to a remarkably varied populace, hailing from India, China, Portugal and Syria as well as Africa, England, France and Spain. Though racial tensions are inevitably present, Trinbagonians (as they're collectively known) generally coexist with good humour, and are proud of the multiculturalism that has so enriched the life of the nation. Nowhere is this more visible than in a lively music scene that rivals even that of Jamaica. The steel drum was invented in the Port of Spain suburb of Laventille, while calypso, first developed in African communities, evolved into contemporary soca. That in turn has spawned the Indian-influenced chutney soca and the danceable beats and politically conscious lyrics of rapso.

Trinbagonians have a less harrowing past to contend with than many of their Caribbean neighbours. Neglected by the Spanish for most of their three centuries of rule, Trinidad experienced full-scale slavery for only fifty years, while the Dutch, French and English were too busy fighting over Tobago to dedicate it to the demands of King Sugar. Consequently, the national psyche is characterized by a strong sense of identity and a laid-back enjoyment of the good things in life, the latter best displayed in the local propensity for liming - taking time out to meet friends, talk and sink a Carib beer or some rum. Thirteen public holidays and numerous local festivals are mere limbering up for the republic's most famous party, the annual pre-Lenten Carnival, where the no-holds-barred debauchery of opening night Jouvert celebrations is followed by two days of pure joy as 5000-strong bands of intricately costumed revellers take to the streets in a celebration of life.

Customer Reviews:

I would give this book 10 stars if it were possible.......2007-06-28

If you're going to Trinidad and Tobago, you simply MUST buy this book. It was a huge help while I was there, and I wouldn't have had nearly as much fun without it. Complete where where to stay, what to do, how to get there, where to catch the Maxis, taxis, etc...it is an incredibly helpful book. If you're going to T&T and not touring the country, you probably won't need a book. But if you want to see what T&T really has to offer, you've gotta pick this book up. I spent 9 days in the country with this book always at my side.

They did their work..........2006-08-08

I am a Trinidadian living in the US for only four years now but this book was still very educational. The truth is, many parts of Trinidad are hard to navigate and few Trinidadians know the whole island.
In addition tourism is not as strongly encouraged as in other islands so it is hard to even get a good map of certain places.
The book presents a realistic, in depth perspective of all the hots spots and also the very obscure ones too.
A good book for the tourist, the local or the curious.

Very helpful.......2005-11-14

I am a Trinidadian who has been living abroad for the past eight years. I had not been back to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999 and was very much out of touch with what was current. I needed to organize a wedding in Trinidad from abroad and accomodation and activities for our foreign guests.
This was one of two guidebooks dedicated only to Trinidad and Tobago in my local bookstore. For this reason alone it already earns its stars because Trinidad and Tobago is not a popular tourist destination so there aren't many guides dedicated to the this country alone.
I thought the sections on accomodations in each locale was well organized and that the information about the places were mostly accurate. There were exhaustive descriptions of each area of Trinidad and Tobago which were very accurate along with long lists of what to see and do in each area and who to call for tours etc. It also contained long lists of bars, restaurants and clubs for all budgets and tastes.
I was very pleased with this book as it helped me immensly in planning of my wedding and accomodations and tours for my guests. Of course one should supplement the information in the book with searches on the internet for things like accomodations and tour guides as I was able to find some cheaper deals which were not included in the book. However, this is also the case with many other travel books on other places which I have visited where I have always found cheaper accomodations and tours etc. from the internet.

Could have been better organized.......2001-05-17

While the authors' passion for their subject is obvious, the information is very poorly organized and scattered all over the place. You have to sit down and read an entire chapter to find some important piece of information nestled away in it. There should be a clear table for T&T's complex transportation system, rather than confusing prose descriptions scattered all over the place. There should be an index of maps. The accommodation section is pretty good. There should be a better chapter on Carnival, with information on how to find the mas camps, buy tickets etc. The biggest gripe I have with it though is that transportation info, which is so crucial, is horribly presented.

Sweet Hands: Island Cooking From Trinidad And Tobago (Hippocrene Cookbook Library)

Average customer rating:

Sweet Hands: Island Cooking From Trinidad And Tobago
Sweet hands: reading through the recipes.
This really takes me back
You'll be Cooking Up Mouthwatering Trini Dishes in No Time
Best book on Trinidadian cooking

Sweet Hands: Island Cooking From Trinidad And Tobago (Hippocrene Cookbook Library)
Ramin Ganeshram
Manufacturer: Hippocrene Boooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Island Cooking: Recipes from the Caribbean

ASIN: 0781811252

Book Description

Sweet Hands Island Cooking from Trinidad & Tobago

Callalloo and Buss Up Shut, Mother-in-Law And Kuchela, Chip Chip and Doubles. The verbiage of Trinidad's cuisine is both lyrical and mysterious. The variety of foods from this Caribbean nation and their fanciful names tell the story of a rich and eclectic cultural hertiage. A British colony from 1779 until 1962, during those years Trinidad & Tobago's population grew to include East Indian and Chinese indentured servants who worked in the sugar plantations alongside former African slaves. Trinidadian food is marked by the blending of these cultures. As such, curry, Indian breads, callaloo (a soup of West African origin), and fried rice are all among the national dishes. SWEET HANDS: ISLAND COOKING FROM TRINIDAD & TOBAGO includes these dishes, as well as many others, including Shrimp Creole, Beef Stew with Dumplings, and Ginger Beer. Also included are fascinating histories and anecdotes on such topics as Trinidadian rum, Buccaneer Cooking, and Black Cake. Beautiful photographs! by Jean-Paul Vellotti bring this beautiful island nation and its unique cuisine to life.

Customer Reviews:

Sweet Hands: Island Cooking From Trinidad And Tobago.......2007-07-17

Sweet Hands: Island Cooking from Trinidad and Tobago includes a variety of traditional island dishes including both sweet and hot main meal meals using beef, chicken, pork, goat, and lots of fish. There are also a lot of spicy vegetable main meals and side dishes and some really nice desserts, many making use of the sweet taste of coconut.

The recipes in this book are simply delicious, extremely filling, and will be enjoyed by even the most finicky audience. The food is often quite colourful and beautiful looking, even when I cooked it, which strangely seems to add more enjoyment and taste to the meal. One should note, however, that many of the recipes in this book are so tasty because it takes a good deal of time to prepare these dishes. Some of the meat marinades need to be prepared two days in advance and many of the dishes include dry chickpeas and split peas that have to be soaked overnight and then cooked before the recipe can be prepared.

Sweet hands: reading through the recipes........2007-07-17

I live in Norway. Reading this was like seeing/tasting the food of my childhood. Brought back fond memories of schooldays and buying DOUBLES from the best street vendor near San Juan Market. Instant recognition that the recipes were following through on the traditional culinary treats in T & T. Plan to start cooking during my Summer hols. Sweet Trini food!

This really takes me back.......2007-03-09

I can see where the author is coming from in her love of Trini food. My mom is from Trinidad and only my grandma would make the traditional dishes for us, but I've always loved them since I was a child. My grandma never used recipes, she just knew what was in the dishes but never exactly how much and she never measured anything so I wasn't able to learn how to cook traditionally from her. The recipes in this book are great and easy to follow. It also reminded me that sometimes you just need to make do with what you have (try the doubles recipe with a can of diced potatoes instead of chickpeas and serve over rice). I still struggle a bit with the roti, but I've never made bread before. A rolling pin has helped a lot. This book covers all different aspects of cooking, from blending your own spices, to making full dishes, soups, and desserts. Truly a great value!

You'll be Cooking Up Mouthwatering Trini Dishes in No Time.......2007-02-17

I went through my cookbooks, to see if I could weed some out, because I have too many to mention. It's hard getting rid of a cookbook, especially one with a few recipes in it that you've come to love. But I've scanned the recipes I need to keep forever into my MacBook. However, there were an even dozen I couldn't part with. These are books I turn to time and time again, even though I consider myself somewhat of a gourmet chef.

SWEET HANDS is one of those books I had to keep, not only because I've spent so much time in Trinidad (and a little in Tobago), but because of all the cookbooks I've seen there, I believe this one is the best. Even though I consider myself somewhat of a gourmet cook, I never really mastered the art of doubles, and I'd seen them made hundred of times, until I used the recipe on page 190 in this book. I think maybe it's the kuchela. I just never could seem to get the flavor I was after with the kind I bought at the High Lo Supermarket, but then a friend of a friend named Nazir had his wife make me up some and WOW do my doubles taste extra special now. Still, if you can't get Nazir's wife's kuchila you can probably find something that will do in a local West India Market. Basically, kuchela is made of mangoes and peppers, so you maybe could even try something else. Anyway, I'm digressing. This is a great cookbook, one which should belong to anybody who wants to call herself a Caribbean chef.

Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne

Best book on Trinidadian cooking.......2006-12-31

Growing up in trinidad and tobago is a unique experience and the foods there are definitely #1 compared to a lot of other islands. When I first moved to the USA, I was not all that concerned with trying to find the foods since there was a place for roti near our house, and you can find most of those ingredients in Miami. It was not until after college when i moved to the Northwest States that I felt "homesick" for dahlpuri and callaloo and other such things. I have purchased and tested several books that are a generalized Caribbean cookbook, as well as hunted down the Naparima Girls Guide to Cooking. It was not until I found Sweet Hands and read through it that I found what I needed.
The pictures of Trinidad and the stories bring that element of history and home and passion to the recipes. And I LOVE that she offers substitutions for some of the ingredients. I made a callaloo stew with swiss chard and spinach as suggested, and while the taste was slightly less sweet, it carried such a good flavour that I felt I was home again. Those other cookbooks maybe going to the second hand store.

Rituals of Power & Rebellion: The Carnival Tradition in Trinidad & Tobago, 1763-1962

Average customer rating:

Invaluable material - though could use some editing
Hollis Liverpool wrote an excellent academic book.
Rituals of Power & Rebellion - A Must Read
He's a calypsonian - he knows how to tell a story!!
A FAR -REACHING IN DEPTH STUDY Of CARNIVAL In TRINIDAD

Rituals of Power & Rebellion: The Carnival Tradition in Trinidad & Tobago, 1763-1962
Hollis Chalkdust, Ph.D. Liverpool
Manufacturer: Frontline Distribution International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Accessories:

Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

ASIN: 0948390808

Book Description

The noble contributions of African peoples in the development of the carnival tradition in Trinidad & Tobago.

Customer Reviews:

Invaluable material - though could use some editing.......2005-10-22

This book is a product of copious amounts of research, and the primary source materials quoted are invaluable to any scholar or aficionado of Trinidad cultural history. The only glaring handicap is that the writing of often a little brittle, and could benefit from a strict editor to help with flow. Highly recommended for anyone's book collection or school/university library.

Hollis Liverpool wrote an excellent academic book........2004-06-17

Book Review.

Prof. Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool,
Rituals of Power & Rebellion. The Carnival of Trinidad and Tobago 1763 - 1962. Chicago: Research Associates School Times Publications and Frontline Distribution Int'l Inc., 2001. ISBN 0-94839-080-8

Dr. Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool has a natural talent for writing. The roots of the Carnival tradition, the history of calypso, the music, the dancing, and the masquerading date back to the place of origin, the homelands of the Africans, in the Western regions of Africa, before the period of slavery and forced migration to Trinidad. In the 18th and 19th century in Trinidad, the lyrics, the melodies, the tunes, the call/response style, everything related to calypso, were eventually affected by the Spiritual Baptists' arrival to Trinidad from the US. The Shango music and the African style of dancing from Africa were brought to Trinidad and Tobago by the slaves, and as a result of adaptation to their new environments, the Africans produced "the calypso". The Carnival and the calypso cannot be separated, for the Africans created their new style of masquerading and singing to vent their anger and frustrations from their oppression during their period of enslavement. "Rituals of Power and Rebellion" and the sequel "From the Horse's Mouth" are two books that go together and deserve recognition not only for the literary style, but for their authenticity as historical texts that shed light on a topic that few historians have discussed before. It is true that texts prior to these scholarly books were Eurocentric in their outlook. The Europeans style of masquerading was also brought by the French and others to Trinidad, but the survival of the Carnival tradition was mainly due to the Africans from Africa who created their new style of masquerading and singing in their new home in Trinidad and Tobago. Recently, Prof. Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool launched his book in Toronto, "From The Horse's Mouth: Stories of the history and development of the Calypso", published in Port of Spain, Trinidad: Juba Publications, 2003. ISBN 976-8194-13-8

Dr. Hollis Liverpool is currently a Cultural Anthropologist and Assistant Professor of Social Sciences at the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas. He is a Professor, a Calypsonian, an historian, a Calypso Monarch, a writer, an author of many books and has made suggestions in his book "From the Horse's Mouth" that the music and recordings of all the calypsonians from Trinidad and Tobago should be preserved for generations to come in the Archives. The Carnival and the calypso history are part of the culture of Trinbagonians and we must be proud to promote it as such. The birth of the T and T calypso has its own natural beauty. Dr. Liverpool says, and I put it succinctly, "If you don't buy a book for yourself, buy them for your children," and I agree with him. We must teach our kids the appropriate historiography of our country of birth. I enjoyed reading both these books, because now I have a greater understanding of Caribbean history, music, culture, and traditions. Trinidad and Tobago has calypso, kaiso, soca, chutney soca and many more styles of music yet to come.
Review by Henrietta Akit, a Trinidadian from Toronto. B.A. Honors in History, from the University of Western Ontario, Canada.

Rituals of Power & Rebellion - A Must Read.......2001-12-10

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.

He's a calypsonian - he knows how to tell a story!!.......2001-05-17

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.

A FAR -REACHING IN DEPTH STUDY Of CARNIVAL In TRINIDAD.......2001-04-16

"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.

The Multi-Cultural Cuisine of Trinidad & Tobago & the Caribbean

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Best Caribbean cookbook I've ever come across
The Best Guideline to Caribbean Cooking
A cookbook worth having.
Heritage Revisited In A Culinary Gem!

The Multi-Cultural Cuisine of Trinidad & Tobago & the Caribbean

Manufacturer: First Edition Naparima Girls Alumnae
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 9768173653

Product Description

This book features the multi-cultural Cuisine of Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean on a whole. It has received glowing praises and is regarded amongst many as a premier guide to Caribbean cooking. If you'd like to try your hand at the delicious Caribbean dishes that you have tasted, this is definitely the cookbook to buy.

Customer Reviews:

Best Caribbean cookbook I've ever come across.......2007-10-05

Highly recommended. Perfect for those homesick for the Caribbean. It took me months to decide whether or not to buy this book because of its high price, but I finally bought it and it was well worth it. It has everything...currant roll, coconut roll/salara, black cake, coconut drop, sweet bread/buns cake, guava stew, macaroni pie, samosa, jamaican beef patty, jalebi, kurma, buljol, sausage roll/vienna sausage or salami roll,cheese straws, gauva jam, fish and chips, ketchup (caribbean ketchup is different, eh), white bread, hops bread, cheese pinwheels/cheese roll, pone, vinegar candy/taffy/gatta, green seasoning, paimie, paleau, souse, curried eggs, dal, flying fish, fish broth, calalloo, pholorie, breadfruit chips, lo mein, sorrel, ginger beer, etc...it's a good book. My mom, who wouldn't pay more than 10 dollars on a book, wants to buy her own copy of this book, after browsing through mine...yeah, it's that good. It is well worth the high price. My only critisism is for the peera, goolab jamoon and ras gulla recipes;they are the Trini version, the other islands make them in the tradional Indian way, whereas Trini's have created thier own versions, so I think they should have included both versions for those 3 recipes, considering the title is Multi-Cultural Cuisine of Trinidad & Tobago AND THE CARIBBEAN (although the Trini versions do look tasty) but other than that, it's a great book.
P.S- As for the peera, goolab jamoon, and ras gulla recipes, I found out that 'Caribbean Desserts' by Dr. Betty 'K' has those recipes, I havent purchased the book, but I think it has the non-Trini version since the author is Guyanese. So, you can purchase both books if necessary.

The Best Guideline to Caribbean Cooking.......2006-05-27

This is a wonderful cookbook! It has every Caribbean recipe imaginable, and the directions are clear and concise.

A cookbook worth having........2005-12-01

It's the type of cookbook with which one cannot go wrong. There are different types of recipes reflecting the diverse ethnicity of Trinidad and Tobago. There are also recipes for diabetics and weight watchers. The colour photographs add a nice touch and allows one to see what the end product of the recipe looks like.
It's definetly a good buy.

Heritage Revisited In A Culinary Gem!.......2005-09-08

This is an excellent well-written, beautifully illustrated cook book! Having grown up in the Caribbean the dishes in this book are all familiar and ones I have been cooking all my life - not from written recipes, but from memory - and it wasn't always easy to remember all the specific ingredients or methods. This cookbook saves me the trouble. It is awesome. It takes me back to my childhood and I can now share my favorite dishes with my 12yr old daughter who is just learning to cook. The author(s) go beyond just providing recipes and pictures... they include Notes on Metric conversion for solid and Liquid measure, oven temperatures (in Celsius and Fahrenheit) for mixtures and deep frying, a nutriion index for each dish right on the same page of each recipe, a table of contents, an index, and a comprehensive glossary of terms for those who may not know what "Kuchela", "Chip-Chip" or "Phulourie" is. They even include guidelines for substituions, converting to microwave cooking and a table of abbreviations for measurements. It's all in there. I do wish, however, that they had included a bit of the history of Caribbean cuisine and the sources of the many influences found in it. With that said, the pages are glossy and not flimsy. The recipes are simple and showcase the diveristy of Caribbean cuisine which reflects our african, indian, chinese, japanese, middle-eastern and european heritage. I received this as a gift from my mother (she probably got tired of my "how-to" calls) and the first time I flipped through it I literally squealed with delight at seeing all my childhood favorites. This is a Gem for anyone who is interested in or loves Caribbean food.

Carnival, Canboulay and Calypso: Traditions in the Making

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Carnival, Canboulay and Calypso: Traditions in the Making
John Cowley
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Rituals of Power & Rebellion: The Carnival Tradition in Trinidad & Tobago, 1763-1962
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Bacchanal: The Carnival Culture of Trinidad
Carnival: Culture in Action -- The Trinidad Experience (Worlds of Performance)

ASIN: 0521653894

Book Description

Starting from the days of slavery and following through to the first decades of the twentieth century, this book traces the evolution of Carnival and secular black music in Trinidad and beyond. Calypso emerged as the preeminent Carnival song form at the end of the nineteenth century and its association with the festival is investigated, as are the first commercial recordings by Trinidad performers. Considerable use is made of contemporary newspaper reports, colonial documents, travelogues, oral history and folklore, providing an authoritative treatment of a fascinating story in popular cultural history.

The Political Calypso : True Opposition in Trinidad and Tobago

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The Political Calypso : True Opposition in Trinidad and Tobago
Louis Regis
Manufacturer: University Press of Florida
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Bacchanal: The Carnival Culture of Trinidad

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Bacchanal: The Carnival Culture of Trinidad
Peter Mason
Manufacturer: Temple University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Rituals of Power & Rebellion: The Carnival Tradition in Trinidad & Tobago, 1763-1962
Carnival Music in Trinidad: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture (Global Music Series) W/CD
Carnival, Canboulay and Calypso: Traditions in the Making
The Dragon Can't Dance (Karen and Michael Braziller Books)

ASIN: 1566396638

Book Description

On the days preceding Ash Wednesday, Trinidad erupts in an orgy of excitement, noise, color, and energy known as carnival. Other countries celebrate carnival, but none quite like Trinidad, where carnival is not just a two-day event; it is an all-year-round statement of identity. Up to 100,000 Trinidadians, or almost 10 percent of the population, actively take part in carnival. Everyone talks and argues about it, some boycott it, but no one ignores it. Calypsonian SuperBlue has called it "one of the most awesome moods in the world." Trinidadians have a word to describe it: "Bacchanal!"

In this vivid and exuberant book, journalist Peter Mason looks at the past, present, and future of carnival, using not just personal observations and printed sources but also interviews with a wide variety of participants, including performers, pan tuners, designers, and stick fighters. Mason examines the three essential elements of Trinidadian carnival—steelband, calypso, and masquerade. He also discusses recent developments like the growing influence of women and the effects of commercialism. As Mason demonstrates, carnival brings together nearly all aspects of Trinidad's cultural identity—religion, music, language, humor, folk traditions, politics, gender roles, ethnic traditions, even food and sport. It also has an influence, outside the country, on how people view the island and as an export in itself. Mason weaves all these facets of carnival together to create a vibrant sense of the phenomenon itself—its wit and its vulgarity, its sumptuous colors and heart-pounding noise, its competitiveness and spontaneity, the months of hard work to produce two days of exuberant self-abandonment—all the complex energies that lead to "Bacchanal!"

Companion CD available

Spirits, Blood, and Drums: The Orisha Religion in Trinidad
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A great piece of scholastic work!

Spirits, Blood, and Drums: The Orisha Religion in Trinidad
James T. Houk
Manufacturer: Temple University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Yoruba Beliefs and Sacrificial Rites

ASIN: 1566393507

Book Description

James Houk's field work in Trinidad and subsequent involvement in the Orisha religion allows him a uniquely intimate perspective on a complex and eclectic religion. Originating in Nigeria, Orisha combines elements of African religions (notably Yoruba), Catholicism, Hinduism, Protestantism Spiritual Baptist, and Kabbalah. A religion of spirits and spirit possession, ceremonies and feasts, churches and shrines, sacrifices and sacred objects, Orisha is constantly shifting and unstable, its practice widely varied. As a belief system, it is a powerful presence in the social structure, culture, and, more recently, the political realm of Trinidad.

Houk carefully examines the historical forces that have transformed Orisha from a relatively simple religion in colonial Trinidad to an abstruse mix of belief, ritual, and symbolism. The voices of worshippers and Orisha leaders spring to life the intensity and power of the religion. Houk's own recounting of participation in many of the mystical ceremonies, including taking on the important role of drummer in several feasts, his initiation into Orisha, and his exceptional field research provide fascinating details essential in understanding the development of this Caribbean religion.

Customer Reviews:

A great piece of scholastic work!.......2003-04-23

This book is a wonderful resource for those interested in the Orisa religion as practiced in Trinidad & Tobago. Written by a Social Scientist and initiate using a sort of participation/observation methodology, the content is good. My only real issue with the book is that I feel Houk did not spend enough time IN T&T and that his sources may be slightly biased due to the limited time constraints. Surveys numerous shrines and temples throughout the island (Trinidad) and the incorporation of indegenous and imported belief systems. Given the general lack of information on this subject, I think it is a wonderful piece of work! I highly recommend it.

Trinidad Carnival: The Cultural Politics of a Transnational Festival

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Trinidad Carnival: The Cultural Politics of a Transnational Festival

Manufacturer: Indiana University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Popular Culture | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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Caliban and the Yankees: Trinidad and the United States Occupation
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Reversing Sail: A History of the African Diaspora (New Approaches to African History)
16 Carnival Hits
A Thousand Splendid Suns

ASIN: 0253218837

Book Description

Like many Caribbean nations, Trinidad has felt the effects of globalization on its economy, politics, and expressive culture. Even Carnival, once a clandestine folk celebration, has been transformed into a major transnational festival. In Trinidad Carnival, Garth L. Green, Philip W. Scher, and an international group of scholars explore Carnival as a reflection of the nation and culture of Trinidad and Trinidadians worldwide. The nine essays cover topics such as women in Carnival, the politics and poetics of Carnival, Carnival and cultural memory, Carnival as a tourist enterprise, the steelband music of Carnival, Calypso music on the world stage, Carnival and rap, and Carnival as a global celebration. For readers interested in the history and current expression of Carnival, this volume offers a multidimensional and transnational view of Carnival as a representation of Trinidad and Caribbean culture everywhere.

Contributors are Robin Balliger, Shannon Dudley, Pamela R. Franco, Patricia A. de Freitas, Ray Funk, Garth L. Green, Donald R. Hill, Lyndon Phillip, Victoria Razak, and Philip W. Scher.

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