Vine of the Soul: Medicine Men, Their Plants and Rituals in the Colombian Amazonia

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Summary: Science in the Amazon
Review: Richard Schultes has once again managed to combine startling scientific intellect with storytelling prowess. His account of plants and practices in the Amazon is a compelling account of ethnobotany, showing us both that exciting popular literature does not have to be dumbed down an sensationalistic and that scientific work can be interesting enough for lay people. His tone is open and easy, which facilitates understanding of the sometimes complex subject matter. Overall, he exhibits his scientific knowledge through his artistic talent. The subject matter is riveting and sweeping. Schultes captures the essence of the Amazon people without the usual ethnocentric sterotyping. He is a model for both our commercial explorations and our treatment of other peoples. His scope of the subject is broad: it encapsulates the scientific minutiae as well as the anthropological background and mythologies and historical contexts. His student Wade Davis continues in Schultes's justifiably. Take time to appreciate this great man, Richard Schultes, as he is not able to persist in his role as an active scientist.

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Summary: A beautiful and absorbing tour of faith and spirituality
Review: The collaborative work of Richard Evans Schultes (formerly Jeffrey Professor of Biology and Director of the Botanical Museum of Harvard University) and Robert F. Raffauf (formerly Professor of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Northeastern University, Bost-on), Vine Of The Soul: Medicine Men, Their Plants And Rituals In The Colombian Amazonia has been newly re-issued by Synergetic Press and is an informed and informative exploration of the religious beliefs and superstitions of the people native to the Colombian Amazon River area. Here studied are tribal sacred dances, art, petroglyphs, and architecture, hunting and fishing rituals, and more. Vine Of The Soul is wonderfully enhanced with different black-and-white photograph, and text captions describing particular aspects of the Colombian Amazonian native traditions represented therein. A beautiful and absorbing tour of faith and spirituality, Vine Of The Soul is a core addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Amazonian Studies reading lists and South American Indian reference collections.