I was both frustrated and engaged while reading this book.
On the one hand, Singh deals with "otherness" and "orientalism" and "not scientific" with extreme care. As someone who gets frustrated while reading a lot of West-centric social sciences, this was a refreshing book where Singh shows the nuance that I don't see often. We have a lot to gain from understanding history and in understanding cultures from such a lens, I believe. Singh also does great when he's talking about how shamanistic practices (neo-shamanism) and some of the rituals are also practiced in the modern world.
On the other hand, I couldn't help but wonder WHO the audience of this book is - was it just men? Why are majority of the examples (not of the traditional shamans, who probably are majority men for all I know, but of the modern manifestations of these) about men? It's maddeningly bro-y.

Very engaging and interesting read. Very well developed and ambitious. Will be recommending to library collection and patrons.

The scholarly tone of this book reflects the academic background of the author who holds a PhD in Human Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University. Based on his extensive multicultural research as a participant-observer of contemporary shamans coupled with his historical review of these ancient practices, this comprehensive exploration encapsulates the interface of anthropology, archeology, spirituality/religion, and psychology in human experience. The text is replete with citations from a variety of sources illustrating the broad interest in the study of shamanism.

The author has chosen to share his firsthand experiences, the research of others, and his interpretation of the universal meaning and impact of shamanism in ancient and modern eras. At times, the reading is a bit dry, but it is thought-provoking on multiple levels. The book serves as a rich resource for anyone who desires to understand the parameters of shamanistic practices.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

This exhaustive discussion of the topic of shamanism includes both the author's personal story and the history of shamanism. I found the author's own story more compelling than his academic treatment of the subject. Nevertheless, this book is well researched and is a "must read" for anyone interested in shamanism or the history of religions.

Singh's exploration is both thought-provoking and balanced, addressing questions like the nature of trance, the role of shamans, and the psychological appeal of their transformative practices. His vivid accounts of healing ceremonies and initiations immerse readers in the rich cultural contexts of shamanism, while his critique of biomedicine and modern psychedelic movements challenges us to reconsider how we approach healing and spirituality.

This book is a must-read for those curious about the intersection of anthropology, spirituality, and human psychology. Singh not only illuminates the enduring allure of shamanic traditions but also reveals their potential to teach us about resilience, transformation, and the mysteries of the human experience.