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Where the Gods Reign - Plants and Peoples of the Colombian Amazon (Paperback)
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Where the Gods Reign - Plants and Peoples of the Colombian Amazon (Paperback)
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While the core of VINE OF THE SOUL (the companion book to WHERE THE
GODS REIGN), is the Amazonian plant life and the indigenous
people's uses for it, WHERE THE GODS REIGN focuses primarily on the
people themselves-though of course, Schultz (who was dubbed the
father of ethnobotany by Prince Philip himself) is first and
foremost a botanist and plants do figure into the mix: Schultes
describes devil's gardens-empty patches in the otherwise thick
forests where, for no apparent (or scientific) reason, nothing will
grow-with the same precision and wonderment with which he discusses
the many plants that grow upon other plants in their effort to get
their share of the sun...and much more. But in this fine volume he
begins with information about the histories of the various tribes
and the lay of the lands on which they live; savannahs, dense
forests, quartzite cliffs, sandstone mountains and caves and
thunderous waterfalls are all accounted for; and all of his lyrical
essays are accompanied by stunning black and white photographs.
(There are over 140 photos in the book.) Schultes is often poetic
here as well, describing not only the geography but, often, the
exquisite emotions one experiences observing it in different
seasons or different times of the day. Likewise, Schultes describes
the people lovingly. He delights in their ability to be happy in
spite of poverty, sickness, and, particularly in the case of the
women, very hard work. He marvels at their relationships with
animals, many of which they tame, so that their homes are
surrounded by birds, monkeys, deer, and even boa constrictors
(which live in the rafters and keep the mice and rat populations at
bay). He marvels that while the children are almost never punished
and enjoy a high degree of freedom (especially the boys), they show
great respect for their elders as well as a great curiosity and
appreciation for their surroundings. Schultes' pleasure-in the land
and its people-is our pleasure. He is a remarkable scientist and a
most eloquent guide. Reading WHERE THE GODS REIGN is probably as
close as most of us will ever get to the kind of experience
Schultes had staying in Amazon basin and learning about the many
very different alternatives to living a life. But one can't help
but long for that experience too. The book threatens to make
explorers out of all of us-and a reader can't help but be
disheartened upon remembering that there is not much left to
explore.
General
Imprint: |
Synergetic Press Inc.,U.S.
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Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
February 2018 |
First published: |
June 1990 |
Authors: |
Richard Evans Schultes
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Preface by: |
Mark J Plotkin
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Dimensions: |
254 x 215 x 20mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
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Pages: |
307 |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-907791-13-3 |
Categories: |
Books >
Social sciences >
General
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LSN: |
0-907791-13-1 |
Barcode: |
9780907791133 |
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