The Seductions of Pilgrimage

‘This captivating collection of essays addresses an important contemporary challenge for the anthropology of pilgrimage. Through ethnographically rich chapters this book demonstrates the central role of seduction in the experience of contemporary pilgrims.’

Anna Fedele, CRIA-University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal, author of Looking for Mary Magdalene

‘The contributions in The Seductions of Pilgrimage contain a wealth of detail about the ways the modalities of early religious pilgrimage spill over into contemporary tourist experience. Collectively they shed a bright light on the religious roots of assumptions about the seductive and transformative powers of travel. The introduction by Di Giovine and Picard establishes a strong rationale for incorporating analysis of seduction in religious and tourism studies.’

Dean MacCannell, University of California, Davis, USA, author of The Tourist and The Ethics of Sightseeing

‘Historical commentaries and fieldwork-derived insights on the sensory delights, dangers, digressions and paradoxes of pilgrimage frame this alluring volume, which tempts us to reconsider the meanings, attractions and multi-functionality of pilgrimage in the twenty-first century. Literally concentrating on the sensational, and casting fresh light on some familiar sites and scholarly apparatus in the study of pilgrimage, this important and intriguing collection contributes valuably to our evolving understanding and appreciation of pilgrimage as a complex phenomenon which practitioners and scholars alike find endlessly entrancing.’

Marion Bowman, The Open University, UK, co-editor of Vernacular Religion in Everyday Life

‘The book will appeal not just to scholars, but also to a general readership having an interest in spiritual philosophy and pilgrimage. Even tourism policy-makers and destination management organizations in nations or markets where pilgrimage tourism is important will find this book useful. In sum, the lessons in this book can contribute to a better understanding of the roles of tangible and intangible assets in keeping the pilgrim sites attractive and relevant.’

Jeet Dogra, Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, in Annals of Tourism Research, 60 (September 2016)

‘A rich tapestry of contexts and perspectives on the topic. … Of special interest for those looking for some stimulating reading for their own reflections on the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace.’

Martin Robra, Special Advisor to the General Secretary, World Council of Churches, in The Ecumenical Review, 68:4 (December 2016)

'In all, this a very worthy collection that will lead readers in a multitude of global and religious directions of potential value...'

Frederick J. Ruf, Associate Professor of Theology at Georgetown University, in Reading Religion (2018)

'This volume consists of very interesting, well-written, and storng contributions by fine scholars in the area of pilgrimage studies.'

Apostolos Andrikopoulos, University of Amsterdam, in the Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute (N.S.) 25, 390-427 (2019)