The Serpent And The Rainbow

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More About This Book

Overview

In April 1982, ethnobotanist Wade Davis arrived in Haiti to investigate two documented cases of zombis — people who had reappeared in Haitian society years after they had been officially declared dead and had been buried. Drawn into a netherworld of rituals and celebrations, Davis penetrated the vodoun mystique deeply enough to place zombification in its proper context within vodoun culture. In the course of his investigation, Davis came to realize that the story of vodoun is the history of Haiti — from the African origins of its people to the successful Haitian independence movement, down to the present day, where vodoun culture is, in effect, the government of Haiti's countryside.

The Serpent and the Rainbow combines anthropological investigation with a remarkable personal adventure to illuminate and finally explain a phenomenon that has long fascinated Americans.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
Haitians believe that the world is full of spirits, and accept spirit possession as part of life and of their African-derived vodoun religion, notes Harvard ethnobotanist Davis. This booka combination of travelogue, scientific report and mysteryis an arresting account of his search for poisons and antidotes presumably used to create zombis, the victims usually selected by a secret society tribunal. Analysis revealed that the poisons contain a substance that lowers the metabolic rate almost to the point of clinical death, from which, with the help of sorcerers, bodies may be raised from the grave. Vodoun priests, witnesses and alleged zombisone of whom Davis metmaintained that the victims of such unnatural deaths are often turned into robot-like slaves. How Davis gained access to the all-powerful network of secret societies similar to those of West Africa, witnessed and even participated in their meetings provides the final key to the zombi mystery. First serial to Omni. January 6
Library Journal
The book is an anecdotal and personal account by Davis, an ethnobotanist who pursued research on zombification in Haiti. During the course of several field trips, Davis discovered the neuropharmacological properties of plant and animal substances that explain how zombies are made. Davis also became enmeshed in the social web of Haitian society and depicts the historical forces that led to the intertwined relationships between cults and secret societies on the one hand, and the government on the other. The book lacks the kind of completeness that might be of interest to anthropologists, ethnobotanists, and medical specialists; it is more of a personal narrative, a diary of discovery, interesting to the public at large, but leaving specialists with a number of unanswered questions. Preferred Choice Book Plan main selection. Winifred Lambrecht, Anthropology Dept., Brown Univ., Providence, R.I.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780684839295
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  • Publication date: 8/5/1997
  • Edition description: Reissue
  • Pages: 304
  • Sales rank: 187,038
  • Product dimensions: 5.50 (w) x 8.40 (h) x 0.70 (d)

Meet the Author

Wade Davis received his doctorate in ethnobotany from Harvard University. Author of six books, including One River, he divides his time between Washington, D.C., Vancouver, and a remote fishing lodge in northern British Columbia.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 7 )

Rating Distribution

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(3)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(2)

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1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 7 Customer Reviews

  • Posted December 8, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    9781589803626

    Compelling

    I initially became interested in this book after writing an adventure novel set in 1935 Haiti which contained a fictionalized account of voodoo. Naturally I was drawn to the Wade Davis's Serpent and the Rainbow.

    Containing close to 300 pages with fast-paced chapters I found this to be a great value. Not only does it satisfy a person seeking an adventure novel (which it is) or as a guide to native cultures and anthropology (does this too) but also as a sort of mystery. Indeed a murder mystery whereby the victims refuse to play their roles and keep returning from the dead!

    I understand that since the publication of this book, some in the scientific community want to dismiss this important work. Until these skeptics spend the time, energy and effort that was expended by Wade Davis in his epic search for the truth; it would be my suggestion that they study a bit more in order to catch up.

    The casual reader as well as the research type will enjoy this well made book. I greatly appreciate the work the author put into this material. And finally, to agree with the other reviewers - No, this is not at all like the movie.

    I can also recommend an oldie but goodie - Voodoo Fire in Haiti

    I hope you find my opinion helpful.

    Michael L. Gooch
    Author of Wingtips with Spurs

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted April 13, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    somewhat slow...but interesting overall

    Rating: 3.5 stars

    The Serpent and the Rainbow is a somewhat slow first-hand account of the search for the truth behind zombis. Wade Davis weaves together mysticism, ethnobotony, anthropology and history. Overall, it was a pretty interesting tale Wade wove. I especially enjoyed learning some of the history of Haiti and her African roots. There were parts though that bored me. The movie is much more exciting, but if you're interested in the real story written by the man himself you should read the book.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 26, 2011

    A good read

    Can get a bit repetitive at times.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted March 24, 2011

    Intetesting

    An informative read, but ocassionaly rambling and dull.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted February 7, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    9780807842102 9780684834962 9780892819799 9780881929720

    Good For Research

    This Book by Wade Davis, a professor at Harvard is a very good book for reading and general information about voodoo. I like the mix of science and reilgion, and the paradox of freewill and to think this book is not fiction but nonfiction and really happen. Now if anyone is like me and read alot and expand one,s intellect then this book is the one for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 1, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 16, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

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