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Summary: Carlos Castenda Discovers DNA
Review: The book is pure anthroplogical speculation that Shamans and other lost Noble Savages have been communicating with DNA in the metaphoric guise of snakes for centuries. The formula goes like this: take an obscure speculation, buttress it with arcane and selective evidence (while ignoring all sorts of other details), then combine it with the the understanding that DNA is a helixy sort of thing and so are snakes. Now you have the makings of a book. Somehow Narby believes that there is a plethora of shamanistic evidence that the lost secrets of DNA have been communicated to man. He catalogues this quite well, but really, as he readily admits, it is pure speculation in the extreme. His choice of evidence is also highly selective (I wonder how many shaman did not see snakes while in a trance, or those who saw other animals, or even humans in their trances). Well what's next in this recipe of uncommon wisdom from drug induced states of consciousness? Crack and Marijuana heads divulging the truth about God? At times an interesting read. I would however have enjoyed it more when I was 18 and this type of current "uncommom wisdom" held some interest. But I think that, to his credit, Narby is more or less honest in his speculation and admits that it is not in the least scientific. That is good, but if such is the case I can always buy a sci-fi novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Weird
Review: This book develops a hypothesis that DNA expresses information about itself to humans through consumption of hallucinogenic plant substances. As support for his idea, Narby notes that many cultures worldwide worshiped serpents or used serpent symbols in some form or another. Narby attributes this to the serpentine nature of the form of DNA which is expressing knowledge of itself to people. According to Narby, people from less-developed cultures, especially religious people, are more likely to be receptive to the messages from DNA because training in rational thought processes doesn't get in the way of transmission of the messages. For me, the most valuable observation that Narby makes is that through meditation, one may connect with new ideas and ways to look at problems that the unconscious mind has discovered while the rational mind was chasing down facts. Unlike Narby, however, I think I personally would look for a few more pieces of hard evidence to support the wild ideas of the unconscious mind before publishing them. The book includes extensive references; in fact, there are 60 pages of endnotes and 20 pages of bibliography in the 246 page text.
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Summary: Incredible Ruminations
Review: This book takes you on a wild ride of DNA, mythology, and culture and somehow integrates them. The only problem is you have to be somewhat of a believer in the first place to allow Mr. Narby to buckle you in and hit the thrusts. Really though, it is a fascinating cultural study that never claims to be true or untrue, it just reports what was said and seen. There is a power to ayahuasca and hallucinogenic drugs of which we still don't know the full extent. This book is far-fetched but in today¡¯s rapidly changing world it¡¯s not impossible that we (from the modern world) will not soon agree with them (from the 'primitive' world). The best part of the book is the way it personalizes and characterizes DNA. After reading it it¡¯s all you will think about: how much is DNA effecting everything we do. It¡¯s a fascinating read. It points out simple similarities like the fact that the double helix is shaped like a snake but then goes into detail that I can't do justice to here. If you have any interest in DNA or anthopological studies then this book is a must.
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Summary: Quetzalcoatl's Return
Review: When I first picked up this book, I was amazed. The author has done an excellent job of reconciling indigenous belief systems with modern science. In this book, he attempts to give us an idea of where man fits into the universe and what it means to be human. His defense of indigenous people from western exploitation is wonderful. From indigenous socieites he has taken the Shamanic trance state and uncovered universal archetypes like the serpent, which appear in societies throughout the world, from Australia to South America to Egypt and beyond. He then filters it through the lens of science to gain his own unique insight. In general, if you have an interest in Shamanism and Neo-Shamanism, then this work is definately worth the read.
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