Governing Spirits

“Recommended.” — CHOICE

“A fascinating exploration of the historical dynamics. . . . Thoroughly researched and skillfully presented . . . first-rate contribution.” — The Journal of American History

“An instrumental text for investigating the history of Caribbean derived religions.” — Religious Studies Review

“The true contribution of this fine historical project lies in the careful detail through which Roman tells . . . how various institutions and actors coconstructed religious miracles and spectacles as they worked out what religious modernity would look like.” — American Ethnologist

“A much-needed study of the Puerto Rican and Cuban governments' control of superstition in the first half of the twentieth century. . . . An excellent historical account of the interplay between religion, politics, and public discourse in early twentieth-century Cuba and Puerto Rico.” — Journal of Law and Religion

“Eloquent and engaging. . . . Roman’s carefully construed compilations of historical material are fascinating reading.” — CENTRO Journal

“Offers us an insightful comprehension of the governance of moral bodies and consumption of spiritual forces in a context of capitalist expansion.” — Caribbean Studies

“Roman has set a new standard for historical research on Caribbean religions.” — New West Indian Guide

“More than being merely an absorbing case study, Governing Spirits is methodologically useful for students of different temporal and geographic focuses.” — Canadian Journal of History

“This is a fine book, well written and carefully researched.” — American Historical Review