Traces the African basis for the origin and evolution of humanity, culture, myths, and religion.

A scientific investigation and personal adventure story about zombis and the voudoun culture of Haiti by a Harvard scientist. In April 1982, ethnobotanist Wade Davis arrived in Haiti to investigate two documented cases of zombis—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.

Explains why the moon changes from crescent to full moon every twenty-nine and one-half days.

A play in which a young man called Roe-Nye seeks a gift that will prove him worthy of marrying Ti-Ti, whom the townspeople wish to marry to a warrior from the next town to keep the peace.

This explosive and controversial examination of business, history, and ethnicity shows how "global tribes" have shaped the world's economy in the past--and how they will dominate its future. "From the Trade Paperback edition.

Full of wonderful stills from the movie, this elegant book recounts the storyline and history of this Academy-Awarding winning Valentine Davies tale in words and pictures.