We are the Romani People

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful overview of the Romani culture!
Review: An absolutely indispensable book if you are interested in Romani culture. It gives a great explanation of how gaujos (Non-Romani) should present questions, and gives answers to those questions without ever conflicting with Romanipen.

Rating:
Summary: Hancock Is a Good Example that PhD's Do Not Matter
Review: Anyway, I would like to tell you something else. I just received my papers. I hope you remember my and your comments about Hancock's "Romaivi." I will use Latin letters here for the sake of legibility. To refresh your memory, according to Hancock, the Byzantines called themselves "Romaivi" - which is absurd. The ancient Greek "Romaioi" (pronounced [ro'ma'yo'i], today [ro'me'i]) is the plural of Romaios ([ro'ma'yos], today [ro'me'os]) which means "a male Roman person" and comes from the Greek (or Hellenic, if you prefer) word for Rome - "Roma." The Byzantines called themselves Romans - that is, "Romaioi" and not "Romaivi." To distinguish between Romans and Byzantines, in Modern Greek the word "latinikos" (Latin) is broadly used to define "Roman" as an adjective. I am all too well aware of everything you commented about the origin of the word "Rumelia" and do not need to consult Dr. Erdinc or anyone about the matter. It indeed comes from those "Romaios" and "Roma" - not from "Romaivi" or any such nonsense of a word. The invented word "Romaivi" cited by Hancock, like the many other mistakes he makes in an attempt to show knowledge in everything, ruins his otherwise very informative and interesting book, thus (maybe undeservedly) casting a shadow of doubt on the other more "central" points that he makes. Therefore, I would suggest to you in good faith not to use this edition of his book or use it only with extreme caution. That is the point I wanted to make.

Rating:
Summary: I recommend this to everyone
Review: I just recently read this book, and I think it is very good, especially for those of non-Rom blood who would like some basic information. The author is himself Rom, so this is not written "about" Gypsies, but actually by one. I was very glad to see that, and was the reason that I picked it up in the first place. The book doesn't (and can't) go into very much detail about particular cultural practices, etc, and that was my only disappointment with it.

Rating:
Summary: I recommend this to everyone
Review: I just recently read this book, and I think it is very good, especially for those of non-Rom blood who would like some basic information. The author is himself Rom, so this is not written "about" Gypsies, but actually by one. I was very glad to see that, and was the reason that I picked it up in the first place. The book doesn't (and can't) go into very much detail about particular cultural practices, etc, and that was my only disappointment with it.

Rating:
Summary: Hancock Is a Good Example that PhD's Do Not Matter
Review: This is a must-read book for anyone who is interested in not only the Romani people but also in the roles they have played in history. So much of their story is not known or not understood and this book deals with it in such an honest and straight forward way. It discusses and tackles the issues faced by the Romani people but does it in a way that doesn't point fingers or make excuses. Of the few books that actually deal with this topic, most of them are slanted to one side or the other. Hancock's book gives out the informattion for anyone who wants to read it. His personal insight is so helpful, as most of the other authors writing on this topic are non-Romani. This is such an important book, especially for someone interested in specific genres of history like the Holocaust or Middle Ages that it should definitely be on recommended reading lists. Of course you don't need to be a historian just to find this book insightful and interesting. I think everyone should read this book.

Rating:
Summary: authentic Romani viewpoint but lacking in positive substance
Review: When you read this book, you'll clearly get the sense that the author is representing Romani people, their views and concerns. This book explains in detail Romani history and Romani stereotypes. It spends a lot of effort explaining what Romani people aren't but not enough on what they are. If you're looking for an interesting insight into the people labelled as "Gypsies", what you'll find here is a lecture against erroneous information instead.

That being said, the book still does have a lot of interesting information. It's very solid in discussing Romani history. And I found the list of prominent individuals of Romani ancestory to be interesting: Charlie Chaplin, US President Bill Clinton, Rita Hayworth, Bob Hoskins (Who Framed Roger Rabbit), Freddie Prinze and Freddie Prinze Jr.

Rating:
Summary: authentic Romani viewpoint but lacking in positive substance
Review: When you read this book, you'll clearly get the sense that the author is representing Romani people, their views and concerns. This book explains in detail Romani history and Romani stereotypes. It spends a lot of effort explaining what Romani people aren't but not enough on what they are. If you're looking for an interesting insight into the people labelled as "Gypsies", what you'll find here is a lecture against erroneous information instead.

That being said, the book still does have a lot of interesting information. It's very solid in discussing Romani history. And I found the list of prominent individuals of Romani ancestory to be interesting: Charlie Chaplin, US President Bill Clinton, Rita Hayworth, Bob Hoskins (Who Framed Roger Rabbit), Freddie Prinze and Freddie Prinze Jr.