Gypsies: Wanderers of the World

by Bart McDowell

Lavishly illustrated in full color with photography by Bruce Dale. Blue cloth w/gilt titles, front with debossed dark blue decorative border around two panels with debossed elaborate design within, which would be a gypsy design.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Photography, Travel, Anthropology, Cultural

215 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1970

About the author

Bart McDowell was an award-winning writer and senior editor at National Geographic magazine in Washington for 32 years. During the course of his career he wrote nearly three dozen articles and several books.

Mr. McDowell worked on six continents and in 67 countries.

He was an officer in the Navy during World War II.

Reviews

[Lillzebub]

A warm, vibrant account of a pilgrimage spanning thousands of miles and all kinds of Gypsy communities. Alongside a Rom companion named Cliff Lee and other friends, the author takes a roadtrip to the possible heartland of all Romani peoples—northern India. The photographs are incandescent, and McDowell manages to fold his party’s own journey into the larger history of Romani peoples’ migration out of India. As such, the text struck an admirable balance between information and entertainment. This truly is a 70s NatGeo gem!

[Kim Browers]

I love a candid ethnologue, and this did not disappoint! While the word choice for this people reflects an earlier time, the travel and time spent with Rom families was fascinating. I have seen the film Lacho Drom so many times, and this felt like the precursor to that road. What a beautiful tribute and experience. There were times I wish there were more details about the specific groups they encountered, which is why I gave it 4 stars.

[Susanna Grant]

another car book for me---read on many evenings after work in the grocery store parking lot while hubby shopped for our supper---now this was an incredible journey. The authors began in the UK and traveled all the way to India---traveling in reverse the route of the very first gypsies across Asia & into Europe---WOW. Trip took place in 1971---really enjoyed the book.

[Brooke]

As others have noted this book is pretty dated, but some bits of the travelogue are fun and the photos alone are well worth a look.

[Jae Alberi]

A great adventure to be envied. Emotive National Geographic photography accompanies this unbiased account following a mysterious group of people.

[Azra]

I picked up an older edition of this book several years ago at a local thrift shop but I'm just now getting around to reading it. It was an interesting read, especially the author's travels through lands that are virtually inaccessable now, like Iran and Pakistan.

There were parts that were a bit outdated but there were others that sounded strangely current, like the near riot caused by a woman's short skirt and the xenophobic attitudes of some of the local people outside Kandahar.

This was a neat look into the origins of the Gypsies and how the various cultures they interacted with influenced the culture and language.

[David Ward]

Gypsies: Wanderers of the World (National Geographic Special Publications) by Bart McDowell (National Geographic Publications 1971)(910.03174). This is another outstanding book from the National Geographic Society which explores the often mysterious and insular culture of the Roma people. My rating: 7/10, finished 1976.

[penelopewanders]

Reading this for the class I'm teaching...wish it had arrived a bit sooner!
Published by National Geographic (I think) this has great photos, but somehow it does feel very dated. Interesting book, and I'll be able to use parts of it with my class.

[Amanda O'dell]

I mostly bought this book for the pictures, but what gorgeous pictures they are.

[Antoinette]

Of course, it seems dated... It was published over 30 years ago, but the text is fun, and the pictures are wonderful ! I highly recommend it !!!

[Tori]

2011- Interesting, although now sorely outdated. They need to add a section on "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" perhaps?

[Mom's Books]

http://www.librarything.com/series/Na...

[Silvina]

Absolutely fascinating.

[Faina]

Such a rare, interesting book! And I am not a Gypsy, but couldn't put the book down. The photos are priceless. It's like travel, adventures, history, a detective story - all combined into one.