The Gypsies (The Peoples of Europe)

SincetheirunexplainedappearanceinEuropeoverninecenturiesago,thegypsieshaverefusedtofallinwithconventionalsettledlife.Theyremainapeoplewhosecultureandcustomsarebesetwithmisunderstanding,andwhoclingtotheirdistinctidentityintheteethofpersistentrejectionandpressuretoconform.Thisbookdescribestheirhistory.ThebookopenswithaninvestigationofgypsyoriginsinIndia.TheauthorthentracesthegypsymigrationfromtheearlyMiddleAgestothepresent,throughtheMiddleEast,Europeandtheworld.Throughouttheirknownhistorytheyhavebeenrenownedfortheirmusic,metalworking,fortune-telling,healingandhorse-dealing;butfromtheoutsettheyoutragedtheprejudicesofthepopulationstheyencountered:theywereenslaved,harrassed,outlawedandhunted.Yetagainstalltheoddsthegypsieshavesurvived,preservingadistinctiveheritageandculturethattranscendsnationalboundaries.Howtheydidsoisthecompellingthemeofthisbook.ThisnewpaperbackeditionhasbeenrevisedtotakeaccountofrecentresearchandofthepoliticalchangesinEasternEurope,whichhavesadlybeenfollowedbyaresurgenceofGypsypersecutioninanumberofcountries.