I'll start this off by saying that this was a very difficult book to read. So much violence and evil. But, what else would we expect when venturing into a world that is run heavily by demonic forces - even more outright and visible than they are in our American culture today. However, as I read, I began to question that assumption. The Yanomamo could easily see different spirits in the white people when they were off track from God's word.

This book is extremely informative on the spiritual realm. I was thinking of looking for a book dealing with that from the perspective of someone who knows what the dark side is, and then this book was given to me to read by my parent's. I view it as an answered prayer.

It is important to recognize the activity of the demonic in our world today.

My mind is swirling and I plan to get my own copy of this book (probably the newest 3rd edition though). It saddens me that if there were not secular anthropologists getting involved, and the Christians were generous (HIGHLY important above all in Yanomamo culture), then this story would've gone a lot differently and many more Yanomamo would've accepted Christ earlier. Therefore, I believe this book should be required reading for any one who is going into another culture, ESPECIALLY those who seek to spread the Good News.

At first after hearing about the brutality of the Yanomami reports of this book I was a little hesitant to read it. Glad I did.

Spirits of the Rainforest transcends into our Western culture also by people who our bound by them, although not always detected for what it is. An interesting note of the word 'Yai Padi' or 'Yai Wana' for the Great Spirit, a likeness to the Hebrew word for God being 'YAH'.

"I wish I had known the truth about Yai Wana Naba Laywa when I was a young man- it would of saved me so much pain and misery. But how could I ? My spirits lied so much to me and tricked me. They were the so beautiful, so wonderful, so hard not to want. They were best at telling me split truth. Now I'm at the end of this life, and I'm ready to begin my real life with Yai Pada" -Head Shaman 'Jungleman' from Spirit of the Rain forest pg. 238

This book had been recommended to me several times in the last few years, and I wish I had heeded the recommendations earlier. Spirit of the Rainforest is a remarkable and provocative first-person account of tribal life in Venezuela from a Yanomamo shaman named Jungleman. Dictated over the course of multiple interviews and translated by a fluent Yanomamo speaker, Jungleman's descriptions are raw and unflinching, stripped of any romantic notions of natives frolicking naked in an unspoiled Eden.

His drug-induced forays into the spirit world are challenging for many Westerners to accept, and his descriptions of violence are disturbing, as villages battle over women and settle old scores. Encounters with foreigners introduce disease, exploitation and—at times—spiritual transformation, as tribal traditions clash with Christian teaching.

It should be noted that this book is not for the faint of heart and has not been edited to accommodate the standards of a mainstream Christian publisher. I would guess the book is controversial in some circles and should be read, not as a comprehensive ethnography, but the perspective of a single member of a tribe—albeit a person who is highly intelligent and clearly knowledgeable of his people's traditions.

absolutely essential response to an overly rousseau-influenced view of tribal life

This book was recommended to me by a young man getting ready to go on missions to a remote tribe living in the rainforest. It is the shaman's own story and all royalties from this book go to the Yanomamo Indians. It will open your eyes to the spiritual realm and make you realize how violent a culture can become without... the fear and respect of a loving God in their midst

I never really got into this book... It left me wondering for a long time as I kept reading. Is this a true story, based on a true story or fiction? The way that the book is written, it just did not have the "feel" of being a true story, as the author seemed to write from the perspective of different people, giving not only their words, but also their thoughts. From my understanding, this book is supposed to be a true story, written from the perspective of one person, but it irritated me that this one person seemed to know everything that was going on, even when not present, and then also related the thoughts of individuals. The other question continually on my mind was: Is this a story about missions? I kind of expected this book to be about missions, but there is no mention whatsoever of the gospel, of Jesus Christ, or even of God. It was not until the very end of the book that a "church" is first mentioned. So I do not consider this book to be about missions, but it does offer some great insights into the lives of the animistic Yanomamö people, especially their culture of killing and revenge killing as welll as shamanism. The focus on this aspect makes the book an illustration of the depravity of man. I found the most interesting parts of the book to be the author's addendum at the end as well as the appendices.

So great! The ways in which the spirit world is at work is seen in an incredible way in this book. I appreciated the author's painstaking documentation to verify the information he is presenting. I am in awe to learn how the Lord reaches every tribe and nation for Him.

Very interesting look into the spirit world.

Very graphic to read. I recommend reading the authors PostScript at the end FIRST. It explains his method of writing and the dilemma he is up against in getting the truth about these people out to others. For reference, do not read if you are sensitive pages 29-32, 34, 109-110, 141-142, 149. These pages detail a lot of graphic violence that do not hinder comprehension of the book if left out.

Very raw and graphic

Somewhat disturbing to read at times, but so worth it. Undeniable that there is a spiritual realm.

This is an excellent book for those wanting to learn more about the Yanomamo ways.