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The Serpent and the Rainbow: A Harvard Scientist's Astonishing Journey into the Secret Societies of Haitian Voodoo, Zombis, and Magic |  | Author: Wade Davis
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Category: Book
List Price: $15.00
Buy Used: $4.99
as of 11/21/2009 10:21 CST details
You Save: $10.01 (67%)
New (30) Used (39) Collectible (3) from $4.99
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Seller: blaise-oratoria
Rating:  27 reviews
Sales Rank: 9199
Media: Paperback
Pages: 304
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9
ISBN: 0684839296
Dewey Decimal Number: 500
EAN: 9780684839295
ASIN: 0684839296
Publication Date: August 5, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
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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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 27
 So much more than Hollywood October 24, 2009
F. Carter (Akron, Ohio)
This is the first book I have read by Davis. I was initially expecting something akin to Burrough's drug filled romps through the tropics. I am very pleased that Davis has an academic approach to his writing. It is fun to read and insightful about the history, culture, and anthropological aspects of the places he is going. He is also able to handle the ethnobotany aspects of his material with impressive clarity. The works lacks drug story giggle-moments, but it does have it own very expressive way of carrying you deep in to a place few of us will ever see.
I think fans of the movie will enjoy the deeper exploration involved in the book. The movie's focus was undoubtedly more the quick-hit voodoo moments, but if someone was at all intrigued by the actual subject matter then this book will fill in the experiences rewardingly.
BCUT June 1, 2009
Brooke Mccutcheon (Arizona)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I accidently bought two of these books, so I gave my good friend the other copy. Make sure to check your purchase order over before purchasing.
The book is maturley exciting and very interesting as well. I am half way through it now, havent had a lot of time to read I have too many kids. Amazon is an excelent site to order from, your purchases are thouroghly sent to you! Thanks
 A thorough, enjoyable investigation! May 5, 2009
TropicalDoc (Coeur d'Alene ID USA)
Full of facts but readable. Excellent research and reporting. It satisfied what I was looking for--an understanding of zombification outside of Hollywood hype. I have recommended it and cited examples from it several times.
Zombie Justice October 20, 2008
Amy Greenhouse
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
So, what does sashimi and zombies have in common? More than you ever expected.
I don't want to give too much away, but I highly recommend that anyone interested in science, history, or religion read this amazing true book about an ethnobotanist's search for a drug that is used in Haiti to turn people into zombies.
Like most of you reading this review, when the author Wade Davis first began his quest, he did not believe that people buried could be brought back to life. Through an intricate network of connections, Davis is able to meet the people who hold the secret to the drug that lowers a person's metabolic rate to an imperceptible level. Once the person is mistakenly thought dead, they are buried and then later on excavated from the grave. If the drug worked properly, the person has lost some brain function, but has sustained no physical damage. Davis describes accounts of people who were made into zombies and then made to work as slaves under the control of zombie masters in places far from their homes. They are considered dead.
Even more amazing than the description of the drug is Davis' description of the secret socities that are an intricate part of Haitian religion and de facto legal system. Zombification is actually a punishment meted out to those who have been deemed to violate certains societal rules. This book also provides historical background on Haiti. The more I learned about Haitian history, the more I began to understand the history of the United States, especially in terms of slavery and our relationship with the French. Just read it! The more you learn,the more you will want to know. Because I teach so many Haitian children, I feel even more obligated to understand the country's history and society. Many of the Haitian people I know are very religious (usually Christian) and the spiritual nature of the Haitian people is palpable in the book. This book helps you glimpse the African roots of the spirituality and brings out an admiration for people who believe so deeply.
A Thriller in Real Life February 6, 2008
May L. Lattanzio (Florida, USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Wade Davis has written a remarkable book here. Although he went to Haiti
on a scientific assignment, the story unfolds like a novel. It is absolutely riveting, and you won't be able to put it down. The society of the voodoo culture is all here - all the mystery, the chilling accounts of becoming Zombis, the secret societies, the intrigue.
Once you read this book, you will have to read his others. He has an addictive style of writing.
I highly recommend "The Serpent and the Rainbow".
May Lattanzio
Author: Waltz on the Wild Side - An Animal Lover's Journal
Amazon Shorts Author - Paradise and The Last Striper
http://maylattanzio.blogspot,com/
Showing reviews 1-5 of 27
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