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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
I loved this book! Though I had always had an interest in Haiti, this book solidified it for me. Davis was there searching for the ingredients of the "Zombie Powder" when Baby Doc was in power. It is a fascinating snapshot of the culture and the political climate at that time. I highly recommend this book!
Too bad they made this wonderful book into a horror flick. The book is about a Harvard trained ethnobotanist who goes to Haiti to learn about some of the naturally occuring compounds used in the voudoun culture. The hope is that some of the active compounds may provide a safer alternative to general anaesthesia. What I found remarkable about the book was Wade Davis' ability to embrace and respect the voudoun culture (and it is a culture in the full sense of the word) without making western value judgements and assumptions about it. It is only through his understanding of the culture that he is able to learn what he came to find out. I don't want to include any spoilers here about the specific drugs or their effects, but I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in anthropology and/or biology.
Fascinating account of Davis' journey to Haiti in search of the science behind the mystery and rumours surrounding zombification. Davis is an ethnobotanist with impeccable credentials, and he throws himself headlong into his research. I learned a lot about the history of Haiti. I learned about Voodoo, too, and the interesting rituals and beliefs surrounding this religion. Parts of the book were muddy and circuitous, but so too was the nature of Davis' search.
I can tell Wade Davis is going to become a favourite of mine. This book was exceptionally well written and researched. Davis takes you on an interesting and unique journey with him during his travels to Haiti to discover the secrets behind the voodoo zombi poison rumours. Throughout the main story of his quest for the poison there is all sorts of interesting information on Haitian culture and biology. Some cool things I learned:
- Anesthesia is more dangerous and experimental than most people realise and each time a person is put under is different.
- Zora Neale Hurston is a really fascinating lady and I really need to read her books now.
- Fugu is a super cool fish that I would almost be tempted to try despite the whole vegetarian thing because they are like the magic brownie of the ocean. And who doesn't want to get high off their food?
I really wish other travel and popular science writing was as well done as this. Davis really has the right amount of science, story, and travel to make it read well.
- Anesthesia is more dangerous and experimental than most people realise and each time a person is put under is different.
- Zora Neale Hurston is a really fascinating lady and I really need to read her books now.
- Fugu is a super cool fish that I would almost be tempted to try despite the whole vegetarian thing because they are like the magic brownie of the ocean. And who doesn't want to get high off their food?
I really wish other travel and popular science writing was as well done as this. Davis really has the right amount of science, story, and travel to make it read well.