Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Pictures lots of inaccurate fluff
Review: I started to purchase the book that is until I read it. The authors are obviously unfamiliar with dreadlocks or locks and can only view from an outsiders view point. If you are truely interested in gaining info about African American hair and its spiritual, historical, and political ramifications go elsewhere. Dreadlocks among Africans did not start with the Rastas our culture and historical roots go much deeper. It is extremely arrogant to profess the cultural beginnings of another group and intertpret its actions. Go to the source.
Rating: 
Summary: Breathtaking
Review: I walked over to my local bookstore the check this book out before I put it on my wishlist. A few pages into it I was sold. The text and photos caputure the beauty, history and diversity of dreadlocks and those who wear them. It also dispells many of the incredibly stupid myths about how dreads are grown and what they mean. The book is funny and poignant at the same time. My favorite essay was one famous soap opera actors retelling of an encounter with a Swede who simply couldn't believe his locks were real (or clean).The photographers do a fantastic job of bringing out the dignity and strength of the dread wearers. I've been considering locking my hair for sometime and now I'm ready to join the ranks! I can't recommend this book enough! A must!
Rating: 
Summary: white locks
Review: I was reading this book while I was getting locked (naturally, nothing but twisting and tangling). I'm not sure if Tomeka put it in my hands to enlighten me or to keep me occupied during the several hours of her skillful labor, regardless it was very timely and very humbling. I was somewhat aware of the Rastafarian significance of dreads, but the history and sprituality of locks throughout a variety of cultures floored me, and caused me think critcally about my decision to lock up my stringy caucasian head. While the book just scratched the surface, it was an outstanding and well rounded introduction with unforgettable photos. Do I feel that I have the right to go around wearing these? I'm not entirely sure. I consider them a flag, an extention of my lifestyle that says, "Hey you, in the SUV, I don't subscribe to your suferficial self-serving materialistic non-sustainable culture, and I'm going to annoy you for making stupid choices." I can't say that fashion alone can justify wearing locks, but who am I to say. All of my personal reasons pale in comparison to years of endured agony and persecution, both physical and emotional, both historical and ongoing. I hope that my locks may be percieved as an attempt at unification with a brotherhood and sisterhood of peaceful co-existence, yet I understand the angry response they may elicit for reasons that I cannot ever experience. Don't get locked without getting educated, and tell your local library about this book.
Rating: 
Summary: STUNNING IMAGES, BUT AT TIMES THE TONE WILL GIVE YOU PAUSE..
Review: I've been wearing locks for over 2 years, and do so simply because I wanted to wear my natual hair in a flattering, manageable way that honors its texture and the sense of pride I have celebrating my unique African-American features: the way some of the wearers come across in this book is that people who choose to wear locks for these reasons are ignorant frauds, intent on picking and choosing from an honored way of life simply to seem "down". Is it a problem if people like the way they look and want the dreads for that reason? Do we all have to shun soap/shampoo/locticians/any appearance of uniform size to be "real"? The look may have originated with the Rastas, but just because you're not Rasta when you grow them doesn't mean that you're mocking the way of life or that you don't have a bond with your locks, just like those who wear relaxers don't necessarily want to be white or hate themselves. The overall arrogant, pious "My locks are more sacred than thou's" tone offended me when I thought it would re-affirm the beauty I find in dreads. All in all, a great coffee table book for the photos (especially of Keith Hamilton Cobb---AAHHH SOOKIE SOOKIE NOW!!!) and the skimming of history, but look elsewhere for true dread brotherhood (and sisterhood).
Rating:
Summary: Glorious dreads!!
Review: It was a joy to peruse through the photos of dreads in this book and to read the "whys" many were willing to share therein. My base of knowledge has definitely been expanded as I had no idea this phenomenon is occuring, has occured WORLDwide. I applaud the photographers for their work and the effort required to pull this project together.Yet, my research continues. One reviewer eluded to a difference between dreads and locks. I am inclined to believe/agree with this statement. Where does one find the answer? I am an aspiring lock wearer for I surely do not fit the "dread" category, physically and certainly not spiritually. Thanks again Misters Pagano and Mastalia.
Rating:
Summary: Dreads - a spiritual expression (not just "nice hair! ")
Review: Just reading that the introduction is written by Alice Walker, should set the tone and the intention in which this book was created. Each image reflects dreds as a spiritual ritual and a picture of nobility. Alice gives the historical background of dred locks. The beautiful black and white prints(on matte paper)speak for themself. They look at every person as an individual person and are very honest. The diversity of man is evident.
Rating:
Summary: Why Dreads?
Review: Let us not confuse the two. Locks and Dreads are two different things. I was asked to do a book on locked hair back in the early 80's but the social climate was not right at the time, and my speech and approach was not going to be allowed to be free. Its difficult for people of color to speak as experts on their own selves even to date. I am a African woman with 51/2 feet of locks. I lived in New York City most of my life and my hair attracts quite a bit of attention. I feel that most people are confused about locks, the variety of types of locks, and their meaning and true origins. The book made an attempt but only skimmed the surface. Coming from a spiritual stance, I view my locks as very sacred and powerful and require of me a lot of respect and care. I do not root for style or fashion like most. I feel most people will do themselves harm by believing and embracing things they don't understand. Yes there is much beauty in it all and it be devine lets not continue to exploit people of color may they be conscious or sleep, in the name of world knowledge, when its about capitalizing. In Truth I Am Tajullah
Rating:
Summary: great
Review: My name is Michelle, and Iv'e been loced for one year now and I found this book to be very Encouraging to my hair growth, it was a gift from a loced friend. It was the best book i have read pretaining to my hair it has great pictures of peoples hair one persons hair is down to his feet this book will help you to understand youself and your hair please purchase it it is a very good hair book
Rating:
Summary: Enlightened, but against
Review: One day I was walking into the bookstore with my aunt who wears dreads, and I picked up this . I was captured by the cover,it was so intriguing. It all began with my family members, and the culture I know as "Black". I am a 19 year old student in college, and all my life I have been around people of my own race who have worn dreads, and have worn them very intricately. My understanding is my own, I am not against the diversity in which people of different races, choose to wear their hair. It's just that I have looked at dreads as being something of my culture, and something that we created, to beautify ourselves even more.However after closely excamining the different points of this book, I have become more openminded. I am aware that it is not who wears their hair in dreads, but it is more of how the dreads are being worn, and the statement that is being given, when being worn.I give this book an ultimate two thumbs up.It is a must that people who feel very strongly about different races becoming comfortable with the intricate ways and lifestyle of ones other culture. Thankyou for opening up my mind.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!
Review: Simply excellent. Anyone who is interested in nature or creation MUST read this book. Very informative and artistically captivating.
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