Greetings,

We wish to recommend a book -- a mystical, funny, prophetic science-fiction novel called “The Big God Network.”

Description: “J.C. McGowan's science-fiction debut blends the wry humor of Kurt Vonnegut with the cosmic scope of Carl Sagan and the edgy near-future scenarios of William Gibson. The novel explores the clash of culture and religion in cyberspace and post-America; the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and higher powers; and the socio-cultural impact of "virtual life" on our existence, as it takes us on an imaginative, breathless ride through Bali, Tokyo, California, and exotic virtual worlds that range from the fantasy realm of Nigh Errant to the erotic Yabyum Palace to the evangelical Church of the Good Citizen.”

You can find it here:
The Big God Network (at Amazon.com)

The Big God Network (Amazon U.K.)

The Big God Network (Amazon Canada)

Are you interested in World Music, Travel, Ethnic Apparel, Exotic Jewelry, Body Art, Folk Art, International Design, Spirituality Guides, Creativity Tools & Global Culture?

Come, explore and discover!

Culture Planet at Amazon.com (U.S.).

Culture Planet at Amazon.co.uk (U.K.).

Culture Planet at Amazon.ca (Canada).

We are pleased to announce that a new, revised edition of the acclaimed music guide “The Brazilian Sound: Samba, Bossa Nova and the Popular Music of Brazil” (Temple University Press) is now available worldwide through amazon and barnesandnoble (online). The 3rd edition is an fascinating introduction to the leading genres and artists of Brazilian music, and covers such areas as samba, bossa nova, choro, frevo, forró, axé music, maractau, Carnaval, and Brazilian jazz, funk, rock and techno.

There are reviews and ordering information here:
The Brazilian Sound (Reviews & Ordering Information)

And the book can be found at Amazon here:
The Brazilian Sound (at Amazon USA)

The Brazilian Sound (at Amazon U.K.)

The Brazilian Sound (at Amazon Canada)

In Brazil, copies can also be found at the Toca do Vinícius book store in Ipanema (Rio de Janeiro). Call 21-2247-5227

School & wholesale orders: Temple University Press, 1-800-621-2736

At our Culture Planet main website, we have an essay on the history of Halloween:

Halloween's roots lie in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated on a full moon around November 1. Samhain was the most important of the Celtic fire festivals, or holy days, because it was the start of the New Year. The harvest had ended, the last crops had been picked, and a chill was in the air. The dark half of the year was beginning. On the night of Samhain, the Celts believed that the souls of the dead were restless, on the move, and could cross over into the world of the living.

Read more at The Origins of Halloween: A History of Samhain and All Hallow's Eve

Culture Planet recommends J.C. McGowan's global science-fiction novel The Big God Network, which blends the wry humor of Kurt Vonnegut with the cosmic scope of Carl Sagan and the multicultural spirituality of Joseph Campbell. The novel explores the clash of culture and religion in cyberspace and post-America; the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and higher powers; and the socio-cultural impact of "virtual life" on our existence, as it takes us on an imaginative, breathless ride through Bali, Tokyo, California, and exotic virtual worlds that range from the fantasy realm of Nigh Errant to the erotic Yabyum Palace to the evangelical Church of the Good Citizen.

The Big God Network will appeal to those curious about virtual reality and cyberspace, New Age spiritual seekers, critics of the religious right, and fiction lovers in search of witty and imaginative storytelling.

The book is available here:
The Big God Network (at Amazon.com)

The Big God Network (Amazon U.K.)

The Big God Network (Amazon Canada)

Our Drum Circle Page, with information of Drum Circle, Drumming and World Music Books, DVDs, Gear and Instruction:

Culture Planet Drum Circle