Rating: 
Summary: How does Christ fit in to Mr. Perkin's lofty ideas?
Review:
The Bible warns against mediums and the occult. Why did Christ come if Shamans had all the answers? Mr. Perkins might want to reconsider his solution to corporate and government corruption before jumping on the Shamanistic bandwagon.
Rating: 
Summary: AN ENGAGING STORY ABOUT SHAMANISM
Review: I admire Mr. Perkins' love for the Earth and he has an important message to share with the world. Many people feel that unless we are able to shift our perceptions, that we will further endanger the Earth and our very existences. His story is engaging and thought provoking. He opens our mind to the unlimited range of possibilities available to all of us. My only complaint is that if one is interested in the pursuit of the path he describes, no real direction is given in this book. For a more practical and hands on approach to shamanism, I would recommend Shaman, Healer, Sage (Alberto Villoldo) and The Path (Esmeralda Arana).
Rating: 
Summary: I'm unsure of the value of the journey.
Review: I admit to knowing nothing of the substance of this book-I bought it as a combination deal offered by Amazon-I really wanted to read Perkin's other book about his years as an economic hitman for American capitalists. Further, I admit to being a complete skeptic in matters beyond the mundane. Having admitted to those qualifiers, I found the book well written [if not a little jumpily] and again, if not persuasively, at least an enjoyable reading journey.
I must chide Perkins for keeping his readers strung along until page 157-eight pages from the end-when, after writing about shamans and the extraordinary things that we in the developed world can learn from the "other", he all of a sudden drops Jesus Christ into this magical, pagan story. Sorry but I lost the whole book right there after spending so much time wondering what sort of book I was dealing with. I admit to thinking at times while reading Shape Shifting that I could have been attending a faith-healing service conducted by a Bible thumping preacher because the similarities of the "healings" seemed to be close.
As a skeptic I can't focus on all that he talked about although he presented the information well and I journeyed over ground that was new to me. I was ready to go along with him to an extent until that notorius page 157 and all that he had written collapsed like the proverbial house of cards.
Approach this one with caution.
Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile read, conveying some good lessons
Review: I just finished reading this book for the second time. Having had a few more experiences in life than when I read it the first time, I appreciated the author's message more, during and after this reading.Everyone who reviews this book, or any book, is obviously coming from a different perspective and from a different place in life. Many have had more experience in some areas, or have formulated opinions based on deep learning. This is one of the first few books regarding shamanic practices that I have read. It is also the second book by Perkins that I have read, the other being Psychnavigation. Perkins very ably explains for us his own personal evolution, and makes his motivations clear. Thus, although we may not agree with everything he says, or with everything he has done and is doing, for me it comes naturally to respect him, and even to trust him. The way Shapeshifting is written is quite interesting. It revolves around two conversations Perkins had with a friend, a Maya shaman. Particularly in the first conversation, Perkins does a great deal of reminiscing about his life experiences, particularly regarding the subject indicated by the book's title. These reminiscences woven into the conversation become chapters in the book. Direct quotation gives way to a fresh reocunting, for the reader's benefit, of seminal events in the author's life. I think we can all take away from this book some basic philosophical lessons, and an adjustment of attitudes that will be beneficial for most. My reason for stopping short of giving the book five stars is purely personal. I think it has to do with Perkins' style of presentation, which for me is not as powerful and engaging as I would like. My emotions were not sufficiently swayed into wanting to believe in the literal truth of Perkins' accounts. This is not to say that I think "he made it all up," but I wish I had gone to the place while reading where I didn't even care whether the stories were literally true or not; and I did not quite get there, on either my first or second reading of Shapeshifting. For me, Perkins' concern about whether the reader believes him or not is displayed to the point that it actually detracts from the accounts.
Rating: 
Summary: SHAPE SHIFTING YOUR LIFE
Review: In John Perkin's book, he brought back memories of what I had learned in a series of exercises from a Peruvian Shaman on my spiritual journey/quest in Machu Pichu, and the Sacred Valley. I especially like the journey (exercise) into the stone. Find a stone that has touch the ground. "Go into the stone and feel it touch your heart," as you hold it in your hand. Use it as a focus point, and "see inside it something that needed to change," either in your personal life or community. "Shape Shifting" is compelling, and inspires the willingness as well as the ability to create the changes you need and want. It empowers you. It brings back the internal voice of who you are! It shows you how you can make a difference through insight and reflection. In my reflection, I'm ready to move on, create what I want in my life, and BE a master manifestor. In true regards, Nancy NReikiheals@iname.com
Rating:
Summary: Shamanic techniques to transform the world
Review: John Perkins has studied with shamans from around the world, leads workshops on shapeshifting and shamanism and has written several books. His approach is to use ancient shapeshifting techniques as a tool for societal as well as personal transformation....offer many practical exercises for learning shapeshifting techniques. Of course, this is a difficult and lifelong process and not something you can learn from simply reading a book about it. Traditional shamans are raised with a magical and holistic worldview that is very different from our modern technological, materialistic one. Shapeshifting is, however, an excellent introduction to this path and may motivate you to delve deeper into the subject. Shapeshifting is usually thought of in terms of transforming the physical body; shamans can supposedly (I believe it, but I realize many don't) literally shapeshift into plants, animals or spheres of pure energy (the latter is described in the book). As fascinating as this prospect is, the possibility that social institutions can shapeshift may be even more important. It has become almost a platitude to say that our present political and economic system is seriously damaging the environment. As tired as we may be of hearing this, and as much as we'd like to believe that it's all hyperbole, it seems hard to deny at this point. In addition to teaching shamanic techniques, John Perkins' Dream Change Coaltion works to preserve the rainforests and influence the thinking of large corporations. Projects of this kind are crucial today.
Rating:
Summary: Revolutionary for our time
Review: John Perkins is a revolutionist. With his keen awareness he took the example of 'primative' people's culture to learn what life is truly about. In the book he talks about being able to transform, or 'shapeshift' yourself and your community to what you would like it to be. All of his books are excellent and if you are really interested in learning more, he has apprentiship programs available. I am working with him personally right now in one of his programs.
Rating:
Summary: Revolutionary for our time
Review: John Perkins is a revolutionist. With his keen awareness he took the example of 'primative' people's culture to learn what life is truly about. In the book he talks about being able to transform, or 'shapeshift' yourself and your community to what you would like it to be. All of his books are excellent and if you are really interested in learning more, he has apprentiship programs available. I am working with him personally right now in one of his programs.
Rating:
Summary: My little jist
Review: Okay I liked this book a lot but certian concepts grated on my nerves. For one when he is talking to this shaman, which their is proof of his existence at least as good as it gets compared to Carlos Castanadas work, he says that survival of the fittest is just a male concept. This is not wholy true. Female animals in the wild defend themselves and fight to survive which is wholy dependant on how fit the animal is. It isn't just some 'male ego' thing survival isn't just depended on nurturing. Besides not all animals nurture their young, like the snake for instance, an animal as soon as brings about their existence will pretty much leave their young to survive on their own. As for 'goddess' worship, sorry but REAL primitive humans believed in spirits not gods or goddesses, yes there were feminine spirits just as there was masculine spirits. Niether can be discounted but I did see it constantly being done in John Perkin's book. For one I have myself done a lot of studying in the past of shamanism and have found female shamans or shamanah however you want to put it shapeshift into men. Constant tales about the oppisite gender. Yet he doesn't mention this! A lot of good stuff in here but isn't the best source of information by far.
Rating:
Summary: Eye opening and thought provoking
Review: This book covers two areas that are important to me: Environmentalism and Spiritualism. It is a autobiography of one mans journey to learn to shapechange and how he comes out of it understanding the importance of changing the community around him. A book about a life story, about some tribal beliefs, not a book on technique.
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