We Borrow the Earth: An Intimate Portrait of the Gypsy Folk Tradition and Culture

This author has got to be the best one in regards to gypsy literature, as he has actually lived it, and knows what he is talking about..... Don't hesitate to read this one of a kind reading.. Most of us do not even know many factual truths of the gypsy way of life, it is a dying culture, and we cant forget them, as we can't ever forget about the American Indian, and other indigenous groups of wonderful people, who really knew how to live and did know how to not destroy this planet.... and the very closeness of living with family ,what really does matter in this world, especially now it makes you think and makes you want some of those ole ways to stick around.. The gypsy people are another group going extinct with their old ways, and need to be appreciated as all indigenous groups do, we can learn a lot from them... Libby

Very interesting! Great book that reveals who the Gypsies really are… portrayed in a very positive light …

Gives a great feel for the old ways of his people with first-hand stories about the author's uniquely spirited relatives. Full coverage of the various theories of Roma origin including modern conclusions. This book gives you insight into the author's life and way of thinking.

Wonderful book, well-written, informative, entertaining, and inspiring! I used this book as primary research for a fiction book project and plan to read more by Patrick Jasper Lee.

Sorry, I have been researching Romany and traveler culture for many years and have read many books by different Romany authors. This one was not very visual and in my opinion did not have a whole lot of info regarding"traditions" of the culture or even magical traditions. A few things were touched on but that was about it. I would recommend any books by Raymond Buckland (god rest his soul) who was a Buckland gypsy if you are interested in the magical aspect of the culture.

I happen to be writing about Gypsies, and this book was gladly added to my collection for its detail of life with these European nomads. If more people would read about minority families for an understanding of culture, maybe we wouldn't have so much discord in our culture and the world.

Actually I love the history and back story of the Romani (Gypsy) tribes. Lee weaves personal vignettes with research and biographical material from an variety of resources. He focuses on the spirituality of the Romani life, and the choices gypsy peoples have needed to make, making this oft maligned group of society more understood and hopefully more accepted and embraced. The bits of wisdom and insights he shares are both practical and inspirational.

I will say from the start that this is a provisional review. I cannot give a full review because I refunded it after perusing being overloaded with purchases. I will say that I sent it back because what I got seemed to be misleading, being disproportionately concentrated on gypsy shamanism rather then on a general description of the culture which was what I was interested in obtaining. It is cheap enough for you to look for yourself though and my information came only from glances. I only post this provisional review to warn future purchasers.

Very in-depth

I really enjoyed this book. Learned a few things.

I have the original paperback of this book, which I love and am always dipping into. When I knew that Patrick Jasper Lee had decided to reprint as a kindle version, I had thought that it would be just a straight reprint, so when I learned that he had rewritten some parts and also added to it, I knew that I just had to have it.I was not disappointed! Patrick's flair for bringing the 'flavour' of gypsy life and lore together is still there from the original, but so much more has been added.Do not imagine that this is about gypsy life - it is not, but it does contain, much of the spiritual and healing traditions of the Romany nomadic way of life.As with Patrick's other books such as 'Beyond a Near Water', I would thoroughly recommend it to those on the spiritual/healing path.

So interesting and you learn so much.

I could write an essay here...but I won't. This book is probably the most profound book I have ever read. Thought provoking, philosophical, highly informative, and even life-changing. I know I will never think the same way again; this book has left an indelible, much-needed mark inside the very depths of who I think I am, and how I think of ''life'' around me. Read it; absorb it; then go and try living the same way........