The Serpent and the Rainbow

[CaptainAwesome]

I was watching History's Mysteries last night and the subject was ZOMBIES. ZOMBIES have long scared the cappola out of me, so I was very attentive to the show. Anyway, one of the ZOMBIE "experts" was and anthropologist named Wade Davis, who had written a book called THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW. I was wondering if anyone has read this book, and if so what are your thoughts on it? Is it worth checking out? Thanks for the help.

[Punch]

Never read the book, saw the movie though, that creeped me out thoroughly.

[Indigo Al]

Hey Captain -

I did read it, and it's definitely worth reading. Has zero to do with the Wes Craven horror film.

It's been over 15 years since I've read it, but from what i recall it won't be too much dry academics, although it basically focuses on the zombi powder and the scientific explanation for zombies. It's partly written as a travelogue. Not sure if you could count it as a serious anthropology text.

[rick]

Hey Captain -

I did read it, and it's definitely worth reading. Has zero to do with the Wes Craven horror film.

It's been over 15 years since I've read it, but from what i recall it won't be too much dry academics, although it basically focuses on the zombi powder and the scientific explanation for zombies. It's partly written as a travelogue. Not sure if you could count it as a serious anthropology text.


It is a bit populist, but I know of at least 2 sociology classes that use it as one of their texts here at the University.

Damm interesting book too.

[Shellhead]

Hey Captain -

I did read it, and it's definitely worth reading. Has zero to do with the Wes Craven horror film.

It's been over 15 years since I've read it, but from what i recall it won't be too much dry academics, although it basically focuses on the zombi powder and the scientific explanation for zombies. It's partly written as a travelogue. Not sure if you could count it as a serious anthropology text.

That's what I remember, too. I sought out the book after seeing the movie, and was surprised at how different they were. I enjoyed them both, in different ways.

[CaptMagellan]

Hey Captain -

I did read it, and it's definitely worth reading. Has zero to do with the Wes Craven horror film.

It's been over 15 years since I've read it, but from what i recall it won't be too much dry academics, although it basically focuses on the zombi powder and the scientific explanation for zombies. It's partly written as a travelogue. Not sure if you could count it as a serious anthropology text.

Davis' 'companion' book "Passage of Darkness: The Ethnobiology of the Haitian Zombie" is his more scientific work.

Read "Serpent" to get the cool story, then read "Passage" for the scientific analysis.

An ethnobotanist buddy of mine was mentored by Davis and he has nothing but glowing things to say about the man - personally, professionally, ethically.