Items related to The Cosmic Serpent
Synopsis
Working on the beliefs of Peruvian Indians, the author embarks on a scientific quest that takes him from the Amazonian rain forest to the libraries of Europe in hopes of proving that DNA can conduct knowledge. 10,000 first printing.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Reviews
Anthropologist Narby's very personal account of his encounters with Amazonian shamanism and his passionately researched syntheses of anthropological, biochemical, neurological and mythological scholarship fascinate but do not convince. His defense of the rights of indigenous peoples against usurpation by capitalist, technological countries is admirable; his methodology is not. Throughout, Narby appears to mistake enthusiasm for evidence and he takes similarities of form (e.g., any helical pattern, hexagon or snakelike figure) to be proof of identity or of casual connection: that the serpent of shamanic lore is DNA. Of his assertion that the Amazonians' specific knowledge of pharmacology derives from hallucinogenic trance (and not from some other more diffuse source), he undertakes no experimental test, offering the typical complaints that the "presuppositions" of science are too narrow to permit the test. Narby does well to question the assumptions of scientists who dismiss all teleology in favor of mechanistic interpretations that are often deeply inadequate, and he does well to inquire into the meaning of the vast commonality of forms between science and world mythologies, but his answers too often come off as groundless invention. He provides an intriguing detective story, wondrous visions and a wealth of fascinating information on genetic science, shamanism, etc., and he also offers some valuable thoughts on the parochial smallness of official science, but, overall, his book's greatest value, perhaps, is as a case study in the excesses of scholarship gone astray.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for The Cosmic Serpent
Stock Image
The Cosmic Serpent
Seller: HPB-Emerald, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_450824549
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Cosmic Serpent
Seller: Weird Books, Napa, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Good. Good overall. Slant to spine. Good text, light reading wear to dust jacket. US orders shipped via US Mail. International orders shipped via DHL. Additional postage may be required on oversize books and sets. NO prison orders. Seller Inventory # 2412170001
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Cosmic Serpent : DNA and the Origins of Knowledge
Published by
Penguin Publishing Group, 1998
ISBN 10: 0874779111
ISBN 13: 9780874779110
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 5489316-6
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Cosmic Serpent
Seller: St Vincent de Paul of Lane County, Eugene, OR, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. hardcover 100% of proceeds go to charity! May have signs of use, wear and minor cosmetic defects. Seller Inventory # 2EE-07-2943
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Cosmic Serpent
Seller: Toscana Books, AUSTIN, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: new. Excellent Condition.Excels in customer satisfaction, prompt replies, and quality checks. Seller Inventory # Scanned0874779111
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
The Cosmic Serpent
Seller: p015, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover met stofomslag. Condition: Good. Titel: The Cosmic Serpent. Jaar van uitgave: 1998. Taal: Engels. Boek zeer goed met lichte roestplekjes bovenzijde snede. Lichte gebruik-/opslagsporen. Seller Inventory # 183660
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge
Seller: Cotswolds Rare Books, OXFORDSHIRE, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: As New. Unused copy. Seller Inventory # 3539b
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Cosmic Serpent
Seller: BennettBooksLtd, San Diego, NV, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Seller Inventory # Q-0874779111
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Cosmic Serpent
Seller: Griffin Books, Stamford, CT, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Like New. First Edition. First edition, first printing. Looks unread in price intact jacket but has four creased page corners. Please email for photos. Larger books or sets may require additional shipping charges. Books sent via US Postal. Seller Inventory # 120413
Quantity: 1 available