"The heart of an empath beats behind every page. This book is an ode to Madeline Potter''s people and culture. Her upbringing in a Romani family during a time of upheaval--as nomadic traditions are eroding rapidly in the face of globalization and technological advancements--lends an important authenticity and lived experience to her writing." - Chicago Review of Books "A fascinating look at a marginalized and misunderstood group of people who have encountered hostility for centuries." - Associated Press "Without overlooking or playing down the Roma''s tragic history, [Potter] celebrates Romani arts and folklore, honors individual heroes and heroines, and praises the resilience that has ensured the Roma''s survival. Her book adroitly blends personal memoir and academic research to craft a deeply sympathetic picture of Romani life over the centuries." - Wall Street Journal ".a spellbinding tale of resilience and survival in the face of widespread bigotry and violence.
" - Boston Globe "From mediaeval manuscripts to the city streets of the modern West, Madeline Potter traces the delicate constellations of Romani history. Deftly including episodes from her own life, Potter reminds us that history does not happen to ''peoples'', but to people: individuals who, but for fate and chance, might have been ourselves in another time, or born to another tribe. A sophisticated braid of underappreciated threads in human experience and history." - Damian Le Bas, author of The Stopping Places "Evocative and intriguing. The Roma lets the reader in on a world which is at once intimate and wide-ranging, magical yet ruggedly realistic. I was moved by Potter''s love for her heritage, as well as her rigor in watering her roots. As a tribute to storytelling and as a personal journey alike, this book is to be treasured" - Bidisha "Here, the past speaks to the present. The Roma mingles fireside tales, testimony and sound historical research.
This wise and beautiful book has not left my side." - Jo Clement, author of Outlandish "This earnest account will deliver an unsettling education to American readers who are almost certainly unaware that a million Roma live in the country. [Potter brings] Well-deserved attention to a genuinely neglected minority." - Kirkus Reviews "Elegant and impressive . a powerful call for equality." - Publishers Marketplace (starred review) "The Roma: A Traveling History is a brilliant and vital exploration that intertwines Madeline Potter''s personal journey with the rich, often overlooked history of the Roma people. Through compelling accounts and vivid narratives, it challenges stereotypes, revealing the Roma''s resilience while rejecting romanticism and fear-based portrayals. As MP Jo Cox said, ''We are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us''--a truth that resonates powerfully throughout this captivating invitation to see the Roma in their full humanity.
" - Professor David Morley, author of The Gypsy and the Poet "By turns heartbreaking and hopeful, this book takes us on a journey through centuries of Romani history and culture. Madeline Potter celebrates the resilience and beauty of the Roma, while bearing witness to the trauma of fairly relentless persecution. In the face of modern far-right politics, The Roma feels urgent and necessary." - Tabitha Stanmore, author of Cunning Folk "Epic in scale and ambition, Madeline Potter''s The Roma belongs alongside T.R. Fehrenbach''s Comanches as an extraordinary history of a misunderstood people. Potter''s lucid prose creates a history that doubles as an utterly compelling personal journey." - Lanre Bakare, author of We Were There.