Description: Despite Taiwan's rise as an economic force in the world, modernity has not led to a Weberian process of disenchantment or curbed religiosity. To the contrary, other factors--social, economic, political--have stimulated religion. How and why this has happened are central issues in this book.
Brief description: Donald S. Sutton is Professor of History and Anthropology at Carnegie Mellon University.
Review Quotes: This is an excellent study of Taiwanese religious culture. Combining a thorough knowledge of Chinese historical and religious writings with camcorder ethnography, Sutton explores the face painted 'ghostly generals'--the entourage of the Five Emperors/Plague Gods that 'step the void, ' dancing cosmic patterns of Daoism in modern Taiwan...This important work proves that Taiwanese culture must be understood as distinct from Mainland China culture.--F. B. Bessac "Choice" (6/1/2004 12:00:00 AM)