Not what I was seeking and just from the prolog you have to know that your dealing with something not quite right.
Native Healers for one relate their craft from teacher to learner and not through books, even the classic Black Elk Speaks, Black Elk did not divulge all.
All so for seekers of true knowledge it should be know that David Carson is on list of so called Native Healers to be avoided and in fact this book they wish to be avoided as well as some things banned.
It was not a good read and would not recommend it.

Wisdom Lost

I read this book not out of any desire to learn arcane practices or to acquire power, but because as I watch the insane destructiveness practiced today by the human species, I've come to mourn our scorn of Nature and read to relearn a sacred reverence for Earth.
I reject the ruthless pursuit of Stuff that strips mountains and befouls the Life that is Water and slimes rivers and beaches. The blasphemy of places that call themselves churches but worship nothing more profound than amassing money that buys manmade Stuff produced by processes that poison the Earth.
I find relevance and comfort in the movement to bring back to prominence an almost lost but proper respect for Gaia.
What do I feel when I sit under the trees? Even if I read or stitch or just listen? Why am I comfortable there? Or walking along a shore? I am of this Earth.
David's memories recall people who know and understand that
We all are One.

Crossing into Medicine Country by David Carson was not what I expected. I am not sure what I really expected, either. I found myself comparing it to other spiritual journey books like Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman. I hoped it might give me guidance about how to find a balance between the ancient and the modern in my own life as in The Way of the Owl by Frank Rivers. This was a far more personal book. The writing is very strong and the narrative performance by Jason Manuel Olazabal is outstanding, which I appreciated. I would have given this book a higher rating if some explanation had been offered as to how or why some of the information was being openly shared. A number of times, the author is told to remain silent about these teachings and yet here we are. I would appreciate a statement about how in a dream or otherwise the keepers of the knowledge had somehow sanctioned or at least not opposed this work. The story itself is compelling and it forced me to confront my own preconceived notions and misconceptions about this subject. I learned a lot from a gifted writer who shared his incredible journey and I am grateful. I would recommend this book to those who seek to understand and learn more about Native American Healing if it is not the only resource, but one of many different resources.

my rating is based on the character of Mary Gardener.

I would have loved a book just about Mary without half-assed believers.

The subject matter of this book was right up my alley. However…I can’t say it was a favorite. I enjoyed the old stories of traditional medicine and hearing about the authors experiences. He just didn’t connect all the dots for me.

Interesting at least, some good information here but much more of a "spiritual memoir."

Interesting journal of a man's life of making choices of his future, and learning about ancient medicine and traditions.

I loved this book - read it twice!

Loved it! Very accurate in choctaw traditional medicine!

This book is good medicine, full of a wealth of information and wisdom. The teachings about the owl people remains with me (people who have eyes but choose to live in darkness). I choose to not to live in darkness. Thank you for helping me see.