Dream Singers: The African American Way with Dreams Hardcover - 2001 - 1st Edition

Summary

From the rear cover

"Dream-singers all-My people."-Langston Hughes

A reverence for dreams runs like a clear spring through African American experience. Dream-singers distills this heritage through a vivid look at the private dream lives of more than one hundred African Americans. Gathered here are the dreams and understandings of the famous-such as literary lions John Edgar Wideman and Gloria Naylor-as well as everyday people: men, women, and children who discuss their dreams and visions and what they mean.

Anthony Shafton explores the prevalence of ancestor dreams, the belief in predictive dreaming, the openness to dreamlike experiences in the waking state, and the link between dreams and spirituality at the core of the black dream experience. The exploration reveals an intriguing African connection underlying the tapestry of beliefs and attitudes. From traditional dream signs and dreams "meant for others" to picking numbers and deja vu, Dream-singers illuminates a wealth of interpretations and approaches, offering every reader invaluable insights into a distinctly American spiritual tradition.

From the jacket flap

"Dream-singers all-My people."-Langston Hughes

A reverence for dreams runs like a clear spring through African American experience. Dream-singers distills this heritage through a vivid look at the private dream lives of more than one hundred African Americans. Gathered here are the dreams and understandings of the famous-such as literary lions John Edgar Wideman and Gloria Naylor-as well as everyday people: men, women, and children who discuss their dreams and visions and what they mean.

Anthony Shafton explores the prevalence of ancestor dreams, the belief in predictive dreaming, the openness to dreamlike experiences in the waking state, and the link between dreams and spirituality at the core of the black dream experience. The exploration reveals an intriguing African connection underlying the tapestry of beliefs and attitudes. From traditional dream signs and dreams "meant for others" to picking numbers and deja vu, Dream-singers illuminates a wealth of interpretations and approaches, offering every reader invaluable insights into a distinctly American spiritual tradition.

Media reviews

Citations

• Booklist, 10/15/2001, Page 358
• Library Journal, 11/01/2002, Page 0
• Multicultural Review, 06/01/2002, Page 90
• Reference and Research Bk News, 02/01/2002, Page 8