The Serpent and the Rainbow Audiobook By Wade Davis cover art

The Serpent and the Rainbow

A Harvard Scientist's Astonishing Journey into the Secret Societies of Haitian Voodoo, Zombis, and Magic

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The Serpent and the Rainbow

By: Wade Davis
Narrated by: Sean Runnette
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About this listen

A scientific investigation and personal adventure story about zombies and the vodoun culture of Haiti by a Harvard scientist.

In April 1982, ethnobotanist Wade Davis arrived in Haiti to investigate two documented cases of zombies - people who had reappeared in Haitian society years after they had been officially declared dead and had been buried. Drawn into a netherworld of rituals and celebrations, Davis penetrated the vodoun mystique deeply enough to place zombification in its proper context within vodoun culture. In the course of his investigation, Davis came to realize that the story of vodoun is the history of Haiti - from the African origins of its people to the successful Haitian independence movement, down to the present day, where vodoun culture is, in effect, the government of Haiti's countryside.

The Serpent and the Rainbow combines anthropological investigation with a remarkable personal adventure to illuminate and finally explain a phenomenon that has long fascinated Americans.

©1985 Wade Davis (P)2020 Tantor
Anthropology Biological Sciences Biology Botany & Plants Magic Studies Science Social Sciences Occult Science
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Fascinating Research • Engaging Narrative • Cultural Depth • Historical Insights • Powerful Storytelling
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I've had this book for awhile and never read it or listened to it so I decided to do it

Very interesting and informative

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Read Wade Davis, then read Wade Davis again. And then… was it worthwhile? Why not find out?

A true visionary.

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This book is a must read for any Anthropologist. I enjoyed its contents, and gave me a new perspective of the voodoo society and culture. The narrator was outstanding, his voice, pacing and pronunciation were very good. Full of scientific facts, field work and cultural elements, this book is a gem.

A classic Anthropological work

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better than some other works leaning towards fiction. Relevant today that Haiti is in trouble

the anthropology investigation

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Enjoyed this very much! It may be an older title, but I still found it very interesting.

Exciting

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I grabbed this on a whim and was drawn into very quickly. is good good good my dude it's good you will like it

Picked it up on a whim

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Absolutely beautiful book with the perfect narrator for David's prose. Here's hoping they record One River as well.

Beautiful book

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I’ve read the physical book, and now the audiobook. Will not disappoint. A note that it’s not narrated by the author but I think the voice is an appropriate choice. Great book.

Wade Davis is a wonderful storyteller

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A great journey to a place well beyond our own tiny individual and constrained world.

Fascinating and mind opening!!

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I watched the movie based off this book years ago and it was always on my "to read" list.

I'm very happy I read this--is so very very different from the movie and a great way to learn more about the culture of Haiti and Voudou. very much enjoyed!

Captivating Story

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