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Original Essays | April 29, 2013

Edward Lee: IMG How to Clarify Butter: A Writer's Tale

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Chefs don't have time to write. While I was working on Smoke and Pickles, I was running a restaurant — a daily regimen of testing recipes,... Continue »
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2 Beaverton Anthropology- Cultural Anthropology

The Serpent and the Rainbow

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The Serpent and the Rainbow Cover

ISBN13: 9780684839295
ISBN10: 0684839296
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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.

Review:

"Exotic and far-reaching...a corker of a read, just the way Indiana Jones would tell it." The Wall Street Journal

Review:

"Zombis do come back from the dead, and Wade Davis knows how." Washington Post Book World

Review:

"An account solving one of the most puzzling biological mysteries of all time." Omni

Synopsis:

Reissued to coincide with the release of "One River"--a chronicle of Davis' exploration of the Amazon rain forest--"The Serpent and the Rainbow" presents the author's account of his venture into the heart of Haiti, on a search for a powerful sedative--a "zombie drug". "Exotic and far-reaching".--"The Wall Street Journal".
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About 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.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
Brie, November 12, 2008 (view all comments by Brie)
Zombies are winning a lot of popularity contests these days but this is perhaps THE book for true zombie aficionados. Wade Davis is both Harvard botanist and hunky buccaneer in his classic non-fiction epic that is as creepy, romantic and adventure-filled as the next blockbuster, only infinitely more interesting because it's all true.
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inkslinger, August 15, 2006 (view all comments by inkslinger)
I'm reading it now. Picked up a copy at a thrift shop.
I'm a writer/author and photographer. Wade Davis has as much magic in his words as his vodoun sorcerers. It's fact written like a novel, and you will LOVE IT. It's spooky and dark and sheds new light on those zombies that stalked the protagonists in old black and white movies. They gave us chills then, and this may, too.

I just want a second copy to keep around. It's too good to lose.
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David Schreiber, July 10, 2006 (view all comments by David Schreiber)
Reads like a wild psychodelic mystery, but it's all true and amazing. The content of the book is worth the price. Zombies are real. Making a zombie is simply a form of justice. Voodoo dolls are Hollywood and nothing more. And broom riding witches don't wear panties.

The style is as clear as air and as engaging as a hint of perfume.

I checked this out of the library to read it. Now I am buying a copy to keep and one to give away.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780684839295
Author:
Davis, Wade
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster
Location:
New York :
Subject:
General
Subject:
Fiction
Subject:
Social life and customs
Subject:
General science
Subject:
Anthropology - Cultural
Subject:
Physiological effect
Subject:
Ethnic & Tribal
Subject:
Haiti
Subject:
Magick Studies
Subject:
Pharmacopoeias
Subject:
Pharmacopoeias -- Haiti.
Subject:
General Science
Subject:
Haiti Description and travel.
Subject:
Haiti Social life and customs.
Subject:
anthropology;cultural anthropology
Copyright:
1997
Edition Number:
1st Touchstone ed.
Edition Description:
B102
Publication Date:
August 1997
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
304
Dimensions:
8.44 x 5.5 in 9.52 oz
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Related Subjects


Featured Titles » General
History and Social Science » Anthropology » Central and South America
History and Social Science » Anthropology » Cultural Anthropology
History and Social Science » Anthropology » General
Metaphysics » African and Latino
Metaphysics » Magic Witchcraft and Paganism
Reference » Science Reference » General
Religion » Comparative Religion » General
Science and Mathematics » Botany » Ethnobotany and Useful Plants

The Serpent and the Rainbow Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$8.50 In Stock
Product details 304 pages Simon & Schuster - English 9780684839295 Reviews:
"Review" by , "Exotic and far-reaching...a corker of a read, just the way Indiana Jones would tell it."
"Review" by , "Zombis do come back from the dead, and Wade Davis knows how."
"Review" by , "An account solving one of the most puzzling biological mysteries of all time."
"Synopsis" by , Reissued to coincide with the release of "One River"--a chronicle of Davis' exploration of the Amazon rain forest--"The Serpent and the Rainbow" presents the author's account of his venture into the heart of Haiti, on a search for a powerful sedative--a "zombie drug". "Exotic and far-reaching".--"The Wall Street Journal".
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