| From Slogans to Mantras | |
|---|---|
Book cover, Hardcover ed. |
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| Author(s) | Stephen A. Kent |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject(s) | Religion, Social activism |
| Genre(s) | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Syracuse University Press |
| Publication date | October 2001 |
| Media type | Hardcover |
| Pages | 224 |
| ISBN | ISBN 0815629230 , ISBN 978-0815629238 |
From Slogans to Mantras: Social Protest and Religious Conversion in the Late Vietnam War Era is a non-fiction book by sociologist Stephen A. Kent. The book was published in both hardcover and paperback editions, in 2001. Benjamin Zablocki provided the foreword to the work.[1]
From Slogans to Mantras was cited by Choice as an Outstanding Academic Title that should be owned by every library.[2]
Contents |
Publishers Weekly described the work as a "lucid and economical study", noting that Kent had examined the covergence between the interest of American youth in radical politics and protest - and the pursuit of: "unusual, cultish, spiritual traditions."[3] Overbeck writes in Library Journal that the work is recommended for academic and public libraries, mentioning that Kent utilized personal narratives and alternative press in the book.[4] Whitsett reviewed the book in Cultic Studies Review,[1] writing that it contained informative content, and is an easy read free of sociological jargon which made it more accessible to non-expert readers. However, Whitsett also notes that it would have been interesting to compare those that did not choose the route of the ex-members described in the work, and to analyze the differences inherent in these two subsets of individuals.[1] Gill reviewed the book in Humanities and Social Sciences Online and also commented on the readability of the work, stating that it was succinctly written and engaging,[5] and is a useful addition to courses on American religious history.
Williams reviewed the book in The Journal of American History, and provided a less positive review.[6] He noted that Kent analyzed groups that have been referred to as both cults and new religious movements, including David Berg's Children of God, Guru Maharaj Ji's Divine Light Mission, the Unification Church, International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Scientology, Transcendental meditation, and others.[6] Williams concluded his review by stating that the work was a "mildly interesting and useful footnote to the sixties", but he wished the book had gone further than that.[6] Massimo Introvigne also gave the work a critical review which was published on his CESNUR Web site.[7] Introvigne referred to what he described as "the author’s well-known harsh criticism of NRMs" (new religious movements).[7] However, Introvigne did state that the book was interesting reading, and that the discussion started by Kent on the postpolitical fate of 1960s activists is important and should be expanded upon.[7]
From Slogans to Mantras is cited by Oppenheimer's Knocking on Heaven's Door,[8] as well as Gallagher's The New Religious Movements Experience In America,[9] Jenkins' Decade of Nightmares,[10] Boucher's Dancing in the Dharma,[11] Perone's Music of the Counterculture Era,[12] Spilka's Psychology of Religion,[13] Stark's Exploring the Religious Life,[14] and Beckford's Social Theory and Religion.[15]