Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice

By: Mark J. Plotkin

Narrated by: Mark J. Plotkin

Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice has been called "one of the greatest adventure stories ever told." Author Mark Plotkin, chief ethnobotanist for Conservation International, has spent much of the past 15 years tracking the shamans of the northeast Amazon. Their knowledge of healing plants may hold the cure to some of today's most devastating diseases.

This book is a critically acclaimed account of his apprenticeship to these powerful wise men, a gripping journey into a wild and wonderful world seldom glimpsed by outsiders.

©2001 Mark J. Plotkin (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A skillful blend of travel adventure, botanical and cultural history, and Amazonian research." ( Library Journal)

Excellent!!!

One of my all time favorites. I read the book years ago and have passed it to many friends to share. It was great to listen to the book again on this audio version. Mark Plotkin brings us a true understanding of just how important the resources of the Amazon are to all of us, especially the medicinal properties of rainforest plants. The lesson in science and history is fascinating and Plotkin's personal journey is thoroughly engaging. You will love this book and want to share with friends.

this was a really interesting book

this book made some big claims at the beginning and explained them well so that i understood them.

I want to be a Shaman

I read this book for the first time in my early 20’s The story is spellbinding. The message is clear. Plotkin reading his own book, amazing. I love everything about this Audible selection. I really love when the author narrates the book.

Touching

I am an Native person, and I do our traditional medicines here in Canada. This story touched me to the depths of my soul.
I was sad and angry and happy and amazed all through this book. It has inspired me to ensure our traditions live on, and to kick the church and the missionaries back where they belong.... not with Indigenous people. These folks need to respect our cultures, traditions and spiritual beliefs and to stop cramming theirs down our throats!
Additionally the importance of this work hilights how we really need to ensure all these practices and this knowledge must be kept alive.

greatly enjoyed

I am grateful for the work done to provide the indigenous communities with support and protection!!

Enthralling crucial storytelling

Profound. Great storytelling. A very very important topic for the 21st-century. Just read it.

Repeating chapters

The last two chapters were a repeat of previous chapters which were already read. That’s not the same story I read in the book I purchased several years ago.

Inspiring

This was one of the books that influenced me to go back to school for science. This seems a condensed version but really good.

Awakening of an Ethnobotanist

I really enjoyed this book because it opened my eyes to the plight of many amazonian tribes. The knowledge of all the plant diversity and their medicinal properties that could never be compiled in a lifetime. Many tribal shaman of differing tribes may use the same plant or herb for different purposes. This story outlines one man's journey and adventure as an Ethnobotanist to chronological, examin and record the practice of several shaman of the Amazon and how their knowledge of the jungle is disappearing. As he stated, the loss of a shaman is like the burning of a great library. That wisdom and knowledge is gone forever never to be seen, felt or heard from again. Personally, I am deeply grateful for what he has done and is doing to protect and safeguard it for further generations.

good story awful reader. just awful.

I don't know if the story was any good. it seems to have promise. the reader is awful. monotone and as fast as he can read.it sounds like someone reading an essay for class and they dont have any interest in the subject at hand .I could not follow storyline.