Reviews
The Scots have a phrase to describe those swept up by transcendental themes: they are off with the faeries. But Ivakhiv (Univ. of Wisconsin--Oshkosh) packed his sociology of religion template with him on his journey and the results are fascinating. Focusing on Glastonbury, England, and Sedona, Arizona--two internationally famous New Age power places--he analyzes the myth/history and contemporary politics at each locale. Glastonbury is noted as the burial spot of King Arthur, the locus of the Holy Grail, and the site of a terraced Tor that reflects Earth Energy. Local farmers, long--term Avalonians, and a new, rag--tag band of itinerant seekers jostle one another for social control. In Sedona, Hollywood filmmakers, retirees, and upscale realtors mingle with spiritual pilgrims amidst towering red rocks. In somewhat dense yet sympathetic prose, the author suggests that many visitors to these sacred sites may encounter the nonhuman Other, but that the message received is always personal and cloaked with puzzle and mystery. Increasing interest in these sites reflects an alternative rationalism that Ivakhiv believes sets forth a serious challenge to modern technological society and the reign of global capitalism. Superb analysis. General readers; lower--division undergraduates through faculty and researchers., "The case studies of Glastonbury and Sedona are fascinating reading. Further, Adrian Ivakhiv convinces us that what matters about sacred sites is not what makes them sacred but how multiple actors, at least one of which is non-human, struggle, negotiate, and ultimately orchestrate what can and cannot happen there." -- Jennifer Daryl Slack, The case studies of Glastonbury and Sedona are fascinating reading. Further, Adrian Ivakhiv convinces us that what matters about sacred sites is not what makes them sacred but how multiple actors, at least one of which is non-human, struggle, negotiate, and ultimately orchestrate what can and cannot happen there., "The case studies of Glastonbury and Sedona are fascinating reading. Further, Adrian Ivakhiv convinces us that what matters about sacred sites is not what makes them sacred but how multiple actors, at least one of which is non-human, struggle, negotiate, and ultimately orchestrate what can and cannot happen there." -Jennifer Daryl Slack, "... Ivakhiv packed his 'sociology of religion' template with him on his journey and the results are fascinating.... Superb analysis." -- Choice, March 2002, "... Ivakhiv packed his 'sociology of religion' template with him on his journey and the results are fascinating.... Superb analysis." -Choice, March 2002, ... Ivakhiv packed his 'sociology of religion' template with him on his journey and the results are fascinating.... Superb analysis., "The Scots have a phrase to describe those swept up by transcendental themes: they are off with the faeries. But Ivakhiv (Univ. of Wisconsin--Oshkosh) packed his sociology of religion template with him on his journey and the results are fascinating. Focusing on Glastonbury, England, and Sedona, Arizona--two internationally famous New Age power places--he analyzes the myth/history and contemporary politics at each locale. Glastonbury is noted as the burial spot of King Arthur, the locus of the Holy Grail, and the site of a terraced Tor that reflects Earth Energy. Local farmers, long--term Avalonians, and a new, rag--tag band of itinerant seekers jostle one another for social control. In Sedona, Hollywood filmmakers, retirees, and upscale realtors mingle with spiritual pilgrims amidst towering red rocks. In somewhat dense yet sympathetic prose, the author suggests that many visitors to these sacred sites may encounter the nonhuman Other, but that the message received is always personal and cloaked with puzzle and mystery. Increasing interest in these sites reflects an alternative rationalism that Ivakhiv believes sets forth a serious challenge to modern technological society and the reign of global capitalism. Superb analysis. General readers; lower--division undergraduates through faculty and researchers."--F. M. Szasz, University of New Mexico , Choice , March 2002 ". . . Ivakhiv packed his 'sociology of religion' template with him on his journey and the results are fascinating. . . . Superb analysis.March 2002"-- Choice "The case studies of Glastonbury and Sedona are fascinating reading. Further, Adrian Ivakhiv convinces us that what matters about sacred sites is not what makes them sacred but how multiple actors, at least one of which is non-human, struggle, negotiate, and ultimately orchestrate what can and cannot happen there."-- Jennifer Daryl Slack, The Scots have a phrase to describe those swept up by transcendental themes: they are off with the faeries. But Ivakhiv (Univ. of Wisconsin--Oshkosh) packed his sociology of religion template with him on his journey and the results are fascinating. Focusing on Glastonbury, England, and Sedona, Arizona--two internationally famous New Age power places--he analyzes the myth/history and contemporary politics at each locale. Glastonbury is noted as the burial spot of King Arthur, the locus of the Holy Grail, and the site of a terraced Tor that reflects Earth Energy. Local farmers, long--term Avalonians, and a new, rag--tag band of itinerant seekers jostle one another for social control. In Sedona, Hollywood filmmakers, retirees, and upscale realtors mingle with spiritual pilgrims amidst towering red rocks. In somewhat dense yet sympathetic prose, the author suggests that many visitors to these sacred sites may encounter the nonhuman Other, but that the message received is always personal and cloaked with puzzle and mystery. Increasing interest in these sites reflects an alternative rationalism that Ivakhiv believes sets forth a serious challenge to modern technological society and the reign of global capitalism. Superb analysis. General readers; lower--division undergraduates through faculty and researchers.F. M./P>--F. M. Szasz, University of New Mexico"Choice" (01/01/2002), . . . Ivakhiv packed his 'sociology of religion' template with him on his journey and the results are fascinating. . . . Superb analysis.March 2002
