I lived in Rio de Janeiro for some 5 years, teaching and coaching in both English and Portuguese .. this book was my suggested "primer" before arriving for the first time to understand the wild "religion" known as "Umbanda" or "Macumba" ... I saw most of the ceremonies noted in this book "first hand" in my 5 some years in Rio .. often at knifepoint .. often as the only "white guy" in the crowd ... it is stunningly realistic ... but returning to Rio many years later, these "practices" are all but disappearing .. anyways .. for me ... it is a "travel back in time" to when on Sunday when the 99% of the population would visit a Catholic Church, and then light their "Macumba Candles" on the way out ... "just in case!" Easy reading ... highly recommended if you have any interest in developing Brazilian society!