Rainbow Family of Living Light EthnographyPeople of the Rainbow:
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This books fits into the disciplines of American Studies; Sociology; Nonviolence; Native American Studies; Journalism; Ethnography; Anthropology; Cultural Studies; Anarchism and Religious Studies.
Niman's work is well documented and accurate, and offers a reading which stimulates deep reflection. The appendix, bibliography, ample glossary, original material of the Rainbow Family and photos are very useful. The book could be very interesting for ethnographers in primis, historians, and also (why not?) politicians. The book deserves more than a single reading due to the wealth of its content.
Giovanna Serenelli, Perugia University.
"Michael Niman has drawn on a wide range of documents and many years of participant observation to give us the fullest, most balanced picture of the Rainbows ever published. His book is an outstanding work of American social history."
-- Timothy Miller, University of Kansas.
"In this book, Michael Niman skillfully leads us through the alternate universe of the Rainbow Family, a group of millenarian anarchists whose moveable feast takes the form of large annual gatherings in remote forests across the nation -- events that have alarmed and then baffled law-enforcement officials and observers from the media . . . . A riveting case study in postmodern American utopianism, People of the Rainbow will be compelling reading for anyone interested in popular spirituality, social movements, and contemporary American culture."
-- Michael F. Brown, Williams College
"...Michael Niman examines what it is that holds [the Rainbows] together--drumming and sharing, hewing wood and drawing water, trying to deal peacefully with the drunks of `A-Camp' and belligerent Babylonian authorities, and building state of the art shitters to protect the assembled brothers and sisters from outbreaks of mass diarrhea. Niman tells it with love and perceptiveness; his exegesis on homemade technology makes a serious point about ecology and self-sufficiency. He rightly raps the Rainbows who rip off American Indian rituals, but makes it clear that the Gatherings are not an ossified `60s relic, but an attempt to create a different way of life in the real world--even if only for a week."
--Steven Wishnia, High Times
"...After 200 pages, Niman comes to the same conclusion I did almost the moment I
arrived at my first Gathering. But his is backed up by an impressive amount of social
science. Much of the final chapter focuses on a detailed analysis of the variables that
caused past utopias to succeed or fail, including a detailed comparison with The Farm.
With or without spiritual "vision" or a respectable foundation in Native
mythology, he seems to conclude, the Family is here to stay.
...All in all, People of the Rainbow is a Herculean attempt at a Quixotic task. His freedom of Information Act research alone is worth the price of the book. In spite of its flaws--and its polish--Mike Niman's detailed examination and clear assessment of the Family is a contribution that would make any Rainbow Warrior proud."
Stephen Wing, Ho!, All Ways Free
"...The book rambles like a typical day at a gathering, wandering through history,
the group's "policies" of decision-making by consensus, attitudes toward
violence, crime, Native Americans, land, and the US government. The author knows utopian
history and consistently hits the mark in placing the Family in the context of utopian
thought. Whether readers agree with his evaluation of the meaning of the Rainbow Nation is
almost irrelevant. The group is a living extension of a subculture that reigned when ideas
were simpler and more positive; Niman's book suits it well. A set of scruffy, delightful
appendixes enriches the understanding of Rainbow lifestyle even more."
E. J. Green, Choice
"...Niman was a most conscientious and sensitive fieldworker, obtaining much
information from individuals with whom many researchers would have found it impossible to
establish rapport. It is evident that he has a good background in the literature of
utopian communitarian societies, both descriptive and theoretical.
This reviewer found the book to be well documented and very interesting. The Rainbow Family 'comes to life' from the very first page. The account is at once sympathetic and yet objective. There are, in this writer's opinion, too few descriptions of past and present communitarian societies by professionals. To this small library, Niman's work is a valuable addition."
Christina M. Lemieux, Nova Religio
People of the Rainbow; A Nomadic Utopia, is dedicated
to the memory of Evelyn and Hank Niman
Try to buy local by ordering People of the Rainbow from your local independent bookstore!
"People of the Rainbow" is published by the University of Tennessee Press, a not-for-profit publisher. Order Direct from Publisher online ($24.95 plus shipping) or call 1-800-621-2736
Lowest Available
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First Edition (out of print)
Rainbow Family of Living Light EthnographyPeople of the Rainbow:
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Rainbow Gatherings: A Memior By Butterfly Bill. (Recommended Read! ) Muskogee, OK: Bliss Fire Press (2010)
Welcome Home: A look into the Rainbow Family of Living Light by Mary Kohut. Self Published (LuLu) (2008)
Judge David and the Rainbow People by David Sentelle. Washington, D.C.: Green Bag Press (2002)
Unofficial Rainbow Family Homepage
This page, maintained by Rob Savoye in Colorado, is an excellent source of Rainbow
information and links to other sites. Rainbow Guide Rainbow White Pages plus Raps, Mini Manual, Photos etc. Northeast Rainbow Family (NERF) Northeast US. Mellow Annual Gathering usually in New England. Also Try this Link New York City Rainbow Family - Info about events such as Coney Island Rainbow Circles Australia Rainbow Gatherings - Current Info and Archived Photos German Rainbow Family European Rainbow Info (Finland 2010) - Good Info on Recent and Upcoming EU Gatherings. Iranian Rainbow Family - They live in Iran, Gather in Turkey and Maintain a Webpage in Virginia. French Rainbow Family -General Info, Calendar, contacts (English Language Page) Italy "Rainbow Warriors" - Placeholding Site.UK Rainbow Family Ontario Rainbow Family - Info about events in Ontario and across Canada. Great Lakes Rainbow Family - Info about events in the US side of the Western Great Lakes region. Rainbow Guide - The Guide is Printed on Paper, but here is the website that tells how to get one. YouTube Videos of Police Attack on Kiddie Village - Wyoming, USA 2009 Southern California Rainbow Family Los Angeles Rainbow Forum Russian Rainbow Family - Sometimes slow load. Photos of Russian Gatherings. Alps (Germany Switzerland) Rainbow Family Helvetian Rainbow - Joe Levy's Rainbow Photos (B&W) online. US Forest Service Report
on the 1997 Rainbow Gathering released to prop1 activists in accordance with the Freedom
of Information Act. US Forest Service Anti-Gathering Regulations Marc's Rainbow Homepage Useful
information and lots of pictures from the 1996 Missouri Gathering Freelance Cyber-Journalist John
Tarleton Journal from the 1999 Gathering in Pennsylvania. Interview With Author
(MNiman) -
Conducted by John TarletonThe Farm (Summertown TN) In
the book, I compare the Rainbows, a nomadic "temporary" group, to the Farm, a
landbased "permanent" group. This link connects to my 1995 article about the
Farm (with pictures). Southern California Rainbow Family
California Rainbow Calendar and Info. Rainbow Video Available Free
On-Line from DC area Rainbows SEARCH the
Web for Rainbow Family Photos
SEARCH the
Web for Rainbow Family News Stories
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Rainbow Documentary Film Three-time Academy Award®-Nominated Producer Steve Kalafer’s newest documentary New Jersey Films presents We Love You! |
We Love You! Film Website --
Theatrical Trailer
Facebook Group
Look Inside "People of the Rainbow"
University
of Tennessee Press Site - Sample Pages from People of the Rainbow
Selected Quotes
Interspersed With an Extensive Review by Stephen Wing -- from the unofficial Rainbow
Family Website.
People of the Rainbow is printed on archival quality low-acid recycled paper with a minimum life expectancy of 300 years. It contains 25 photos, a comprehensive index and a glossary.
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