Tales of the Yanomami: Daily Life in the Venezuelan Forest (Canto original series) [Paperback]

Jacques Lizot (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521406722 | ISBN-13: 978-0521406727 | Publication Date: June 28, 1991

The Yanomami Indians, living in the depths of the Venezuelan forest, are one of the most interesting of the world's tribal peoples. Jacques Lizot lived among them for over fifteen years and has written an account which allows them to speak for themselves, in stories told by Yanomami individuals. The tales are revealing in the insights they provide into the Indians' daily experience; their shamanism, magic and sorcery; and conflict and alliance with other villages. The result is a richly evocative and intimate account - illustrated with revealing photographs of the Yanomami's own perceptions of their world - recreating in detail the atmosphere, speech, noises, smells and images of life in the Amazon forest.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For those interested in this diminishing South American tribe, this is an excellent book on their culture and beliefs." Illinois Antiquity

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (June 28, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521406722
• ISBN-13: 978-0521406727
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,366,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars No opinion, zero interest..., August 9, 2007

By 

Shadow mage (Holodrum) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Tales of the Yanomami: Daily Life in the Venezuelan Forest (Canto original series) (Paperback)

I've read quite afew books on the Yanomami, but this was by far the most boring one I ever read...
Lizot writes as more of an observer than an opinionated human being. The result? One of the most scientific, and yet boring publications on the Yanomami to date...
One of the greatest things about the other books on the Yanomami is that they're written more like a novel or a diary than a scientific geneology/anthropology text book, but this one isn't the same... Lizot writes nothing of his personal experiences, thoughts, observations, or personal feelings about the Yanomami. Very nice, very scientific, but VERY boring... I only managed to read about half way through this book before stopping altogether...
If you're taking an anthropology class, or just interested in the subject like myself, then I recommend buying "Into the Heart" by Kenneth Good or one of Chagnon's many works. They're still written from a scentific stand point, but they're easier to read because the Authors write about their own personal experiences, which makes it alot more interesting and hard to put down like a good novel.
Besides, I feel that reading many books about the Yanomami, written by different authors from different perspectives makes for a greater learning experience.

Lizot's book, while highly scientific, lacks the drama, feeling, intricate perspective, suspense, and heart that other books based on the Author's field work had...

For an exciting and riveting account of one man's personal experiences, field work, heart ache, and adventure, read Kenneth Good's "Into the Heart: One Man's pursuit of Love and Knowledge Amoung the Yanomami Indians"
For a much better book written using a similar narrative complete with several professionally taken photographs, buy Valdir Cruz's "Faces of the Rainforest: the Yanomami"

Overall Rating: 2.3 stars

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful book, June 27, 2009

By 

Rodolfo Clerici (milano, Italy) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tales of the Yanomami: Daily Life in the Venezuelan Forest (Canto original series) (Paperback)

For me one of the best books on yanomami culture; from a prominent anthropologist, it gives a deep, inner view of yanomami's life and thought. It also renders in a magnificent way the mysteriousness and magical atmosphere that is so an essential part of the life of a yanomami village in the forest.

5 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Absolute rubbish, January 13, 2006

By 

Wayne (British Columbia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales of the Yanomami: Daily Life in the Venezuelan Forest (Canto original series) (Paperback)

I've given a rating of 1 star for this book only because negative numbers are not an option. If you think this book is entertaining, you should read "Darkness in the Heart of El Dorado" by Patrick Teirney and find out the real story behind Lizot. This man should be in jail!