This is an excellent study of Taiwanese religious culture. Combining a thorough knowledge of Chinese historical and religious writings with camcorder ethnography, Sutton explores the face painted 'ghostly generals'--the entourage of the Five Emperors/Plague Gods that 'step the void,' dancing cosmic patterns of Daoism in modern Taiwan...This important work proves that Taiwanese culture must be understood as distinct from Mainland China culture.
   --F. B. Bessac, Choice

Donald S. Sutton is Professor of History and Anthropology at Carnegie Mellon University.