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Shamanism: The Timeless Religion
From a brilliant, young, Harvard-trained anthropologist and contributor to The New Yorker comes a fascinating investigation into the spiritual practice of shamanism from its beginnings through to the present day, for readers disaffected with organized religion who seek a more personal approach to spirituality.
“Shamanism” is broadly defined as a religious practice of spiritual transformation wherein a specialist (a shaman) uses initiations, drug-induced altered states, and deprivation to heal, divine, and otherwise tame life’s uncertainties. Might shamanism—a centuries-old phenomenon—be a reservoir of ancient knowledge, an embodiment of our once-true spirituality and connection to nature, or is it a relic of a backwards era, mere “superstitious savagery” produced by crafty showmen to exploit naïve credulity?
Informed by the latest developments in cognitive science, evolutionary biology and anthropology—and relying on field research in remote Indonesia, the Amazon and the South Pacific—Manvir Singh holds a magnifying glass to the practice of shamanism, examining its long history, its pitfalls, and its potential benefits to today's society. At its core, this is a book about faith and healing and the universal hunger for god. Shamanism is a deep dive into archaic wisdom that feels uniquely relevant in a moment of specious modern religiosity.
“Shamanism” is broadly defined as a religious practice of spiritual transformation wherein a specialist (a shaman) uses initiations, drug-induced altered states, and deprivation to heal, divine, and otherwise tame life’s uncertainties. Might shamanism—a centuries-old phenomenon—be a reservoir of ancient knowledge, an embodiment of our once-true spirituality and connection to nature, or is it a relic of a backwards era, mere “superstitious savagery” produced by crafty showmen to exploit naïve credulity?
Informed by the latest developments in cognitive science, evolutionary biology and anthropology—and relying on field research in remote Indonesia, the Amazon and the South Pacific—Manvir Singh holds a magnifying glass to the practice of shamanism, examining its long history, its pitfalls, and its potential benefits to today's society. At its core, this is a book about faith and healing and the universal hunger for god. Shamanism is a deep dive into archaic wisdom that feels uniquely relevant in a moment of specious modern religiosity.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published May 20, 2025
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3896 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 10, 2025
Shamanism is a part anthropological study and part religious comparison lesson with a splash of psychology. The inclusion of these different fields and their studies made this book more accessible for me as someone with a background in anthropology but I found I was most interested in the religious comparison aspects. These comparisons, along with the examples of placebos in medical fields and probability studies of success on the stock market, make the idea of the role and rituals of shamanistic cultures more relatable to the ideas of a modern society rather than just some religion spanning thousands of years. It definitely made me reconsider my expectations of different societies that may not come from an Abrahamic religious tradition.
August 9, 2025
Another book I judged by its cover whilst perusing the stacks at Austin Public Library. I’m glad I did. What a journey!
A anthropological investigation into the spiritual practice of shamanism from its origins at the dawn of human civilization to the present day.
It even tackled the question that I started to have as I read… was Jesus Christ a shaman? Going by the framework established in this book, I’m gonna vote YES (but that’s also an intellectual journey I’d like to continue to travel on).
Even though it was a somewhat academic book (the author is a Harvard trained professor) it was written in a way that made the subject approachable and entertaining.
4/5 flames 🔥 🔥🔥🔥
A anthropological investigation into the spiritual practice of shamanism from its origins at the dawn of human civilization to the present day.
It even tackled the question that I started to have as I read… was Jesus Christ a shaman? Going by the framework established in this book, I’m gonna vote YES (but that’s also an intellectual journey I’d like to continue to travel on).
Even though it was a somewhat academic book (the author is a Harvard trained professor) it was written in a way that made the subject approachable and entertaining.
4/5 flames 🔥 🔥🔥🔥
August 23, 2025
After a slow start, this book ended up being a really fascinating exploration of shamanism practiced in various parts of the world. Things picked up for me in Chapter 5, "Behold the Birdhead," where the author discusses if and how shamanism actually "works" to heal disease. Most interesting was recent research on the placebo effect and the role of belief in creating change. One study showed that even when patients had no expectations or didn't necessarily believe a treatment would work, they still benefited from a placebo. One Western doctor outlined the four building blocks of healing encounters: "a healing setting; an alliance with a trusted healer; a story that connects the patient's trouble to a solution; and a treatment that makes sense given the story" (100). Also, "the more vivid or tactile or invasive a procedure, the more people respond to it" (104).
I appreciated that the author didn't claim to understand everything about shamanism, or even argue too strongly for a concrete conclusion outside of the idea that shamanism represents some fundamental human structure, like language. After visiting ancient cave paintings in France, the author states that even if he had been clueless to their history, he would have "come away thinking it had been important to its creator but ultimately unknowable - an enigma whose true nature has been lost with the melting glaciers" (134). This is refreshing when many writers seem to think they know everything, definitively.
I appreciated that the author didn't claim to understand everything about shamanism, or even argue too strongly for a concrete conclusion outside of the idea that shamanism represents some fundamental human structure, like language. After visiting ancient cave paintings in France, the author states that even if he had been clueless to their history, he would have "come away thinking it had been important to its creator but ultimately unknowable - an enigma whose true nature has been lost with the melting glaciers" (134). This is refreshing when many writers seem to think they know everything, definitively.
June 4, 2025
Interesting topic. The book goes far beyond what I normally think of as Shamanism, but with everyone being a mini-shaman nowadays it’s worth the look.
June 29, 2025
"Shamanism: The Timeless Religion" is a sweeping exploration of one of humanity’s most fundamental needs.
Written in the engaging style of Malcolm Gladwell’s bestsellers, Harvard-trained anthropologist Manvir Singh delves into the psychological and historical roots of shamanism across cultures. His enthralling journey takes us from the rainforests of New Guinea—where he lived among traditional healers who enter trance-like states to commune with spirits—to the Amazon and even to modern gatherings like Burning Man, where he examines the role of psychedelics in neo-shamanic practices.
Singh also investigates shamanism’s earliest appearances in cave art and religious texts, asking whether Biblical prophets and other messianic figures meet the criteria for shamans. At the heart of the book is a compelling question: do modern professionals—doctors, stockbrokers, religious leaders—who claim insight or control over the uncertain, fulfill a similar psychological role?
"Shamanism" is a captivating, thought-provoking read that casts human behavior in a new light, offering deep insight into our timeless desire for control over the unknown. Highly recommended.
-Ethan Gallogly, Author of “The Trail”
Written in the engaging style of Malcolm Gladwell’s bestsellers, Harvard-trained anthropologist Manvir Singh delves into the psychological and historical roots of shamanism across cultures. His enthralling journey takes us from the rainforests of New Guinea—where he lived among traditional healers who enter trance-like states to commune with spirits—to the Amazon and even to modern gatherings like Burning Man, where he examines the role of psychedelics in neo-shamanic practices.
Singh also investigates shamanism’s earliest appearances in cave art and religious texts, asking whether Biblical prophets and other messianic figures meet the criteria for shamans. At the heart of the book is a compelling question: do modern professionals—doctors, stockbrokers, religious leaders—who claim insight or control over the uncertain, fulfill a similar psychological role?
"Shamanism" is a captivating, thought-provoking read that casts human behavior in a new light, offering deep insight into our timeless desire for control over the unknown. Highly recommended.
-Ethan Gallogly, Author of “The Trail”
May 21, 2025
A riveting read, “Shamanism, The Timeless Religion” draws the reader into the world of Shamans in a way that is easily accessible to a layperson. The history of Shamanism, spanning space and time, is deftly woven into Manvir Singh’s own multi-continent, decade long exploratory journey which keeps the reader constantly engaged. Especially noteworthy is the 21st century context on various aspects of Shamanism. Singh’s unassuming, witty style is lighthearted and at times self deprecating, without compromising on the intensity of his painstaking research. This makes for a very pleasant, unforgettable reading experience.
June 26, 2025
Really excellent work at its core, but more scattered than I hoped for. I'm guessing because the author is young and hasn't done enough yet to fill out a book with insights. My central issue – ok, sure, Jesus was a shaman, but why do I care?
December 22, 2025
An interesting book that I checked out to read skeptically, but not to review-bomb.
Singh has academic credentials, and personal interest. Much of the first one-third of his book is visits to shaman types in Indonesia and the upper Oricono River in Venezuela. There, he takes yopo snuff (like the Swedish nasal tobacco, not the American oral) as part of shamanistic ritual. Yopo is similar to ayahuesca. Also in the first one-third is previous writing on shamanism. Mircea Eliade, natch, 1700s German Johann George Gmelin, who had a multi-year trip to Siberia, and others.
Singh’s first thesis is that shamanism is not doing the actual metaphysical things claimed. (He’s a moderate skepticist, let’s say a scientific naturalist but not a guaranteed philosophical one.) The second is the placebo effect is part of this, and that beneficiaries, and some shamans when open, admit this. They even accept that “play-acting” or whatever is happening.
Second two-thirds gets more problematic, with second section title, for all the chapters within, as “Timeless Religion.” (That’s also the subtitle of the whole book.) In other words, shamanism is a version of Huxley’s perennial philosophy, just the first.
That leads to the big, rubber meets the road question: “Who’s a shaman?” I’m expecting a functionalist definition, get a functionalist, vague-ish, semi-definition. To the degree I parse out a full definition, it’s too broad for my tastes.
Per the author, and contra Eliade, I don’t think shamanism has a universal core. But, per the Siberian world, in actions held in much of the world, I think “travels” has to be part of the definition — as in travels to heaven(s) or other metaphysical spaces, time travel or both.
So on the who or what? Paul of Tarsus? Went to third heaven. Possibly a shaman. Jesus? No. Exorcists, faith healers and medicine men in general MAY be shamans, but aren’t necessarily so.
That said, like “travels,” psychological healing has to be part of the kit of shamanism in my book. Samuel of the Tanakh? And Saul first Israelite king, who also engaged in ecstatic behavior. No. Ezekiel? At least as possibly as Paul.
In the post-Paul NT world, Singh claims there was an immediate clampdown. Thinks actual Clement of Rome wrote 1 Clement circa 96 CE, as part of support. Reality? Probably 120-130 CE, around Pastoral Epistles.
Thirdly, not everybody in a trance or some other altered state of consciousness is a shaman, even when performing such religious rituals while in such state. In short, Sufi mystics are not shamans. But, as with healing, the altered state is on the other hand a necessary part of shamanism.
Elsewhere in history? Priestess of Delphi? No. Wovoka of the Ghost Dance? Lean no.
On the flip side of the above? I do not see prophecy as a necessary part of shamanism.
And, there you are. I’ve given you an actual functional definition of shamanism, more than the author has. Whether you, or he (as Singh comments on at least some reviews here) like my definition or not, it’s a definition. And, we have three or four things that I see as logically necessary for shamanism (but not logically sufficient) while noting it's a one-way street.
Later on, Singh talks about Quakers, Shakers and others. While he doesn’t explicitly call them shamans, he’s leaning on their alleged ecstatism. (How much Quaker quaking could be called ecstatic is itself an issue.)
The “why” is in the afterward. He’s a true believer, not (very much, though maybe he is a little bit, per one of his trips) in metaphysical aspects of shamanism, not the metaphysical parts, but the placebo-like healing benefits.
Missing are a couple of things.
First, does shamanism ever have a nocebo effect? Singh notes in passing that in traditional societies shamanism can fade into “witchcraft” or similar but doesn’t pursue this more.
Second, and related to that, the book has the feeling of being highly anecdotal. Yes, shamanism is not an amoeba under a microscope. None the less, as with shaman-led military actions in Uganda, Singh has an occasion or two of large-scale failed shamanism. Surely Singh could do some degree of data collection.
Also, in a book of 225 pages, short already, a full chapter on money managers and CEOs as “hedge wizards” was wasted space. And also, per my bs-pablum bookshelf? Other parts of the book had light, maybe moderate, pablum, but this chapter is high-grade bullshit and guaranteed the book wouldn't get a second star.
Finally, the index is nowhere near complete. For example, “delirients” are discussed in the chapter on drugs. No index entry. Ditto for ibogaine and other items. A badly incomplete index is almost as bad as no index.
1.5 stars, because the travelogue parts are interesting if not always scientific, but, rounded down.
Singh has academic credentials, and personal interest. Much of the first one-third of his book is visits to shaman types in Indonesia and the upper Oricono River in Venezuela. There, he takes yopo snuff (like the Swedish nasal tobacco, not the American oral) as part of shamanistic ritual. Yopo is similar to ayahuesca. Also in the first one-third is previous writing on shamanism. Mircea Eliade, natch, 1700s German Johann George Gmelin, who had a multi-year trip to Siberia, and others.
Singh’s first thesis is that shamanism is not doing the actual metaphysical things claimed. (He’s a moderate skepticist, let’s say a scientific naturalist but not a guaranteed philosophical one.) The second is the placebo effect is part of this, and that beneficiaries, and some shamans when open, admit this. They even accept that “play-acting” or whatever is happening.
Second two-thirds gets more problematic, with second section title, for all the chapters within, as “Timeless Religion.” (That’s also the subtitle of the whole book.) In other words, shamanism is a version of Huxley’s perennial philosophy, just the first.
That leads to the big, rubber meets the road question: “Who’s a shaman?” I’m expecting a functionalist definition, get a functionalist, vague-ish, semi-definition. To the degree I parse out a full definition, it’s too broad for my tastes.
Per the author, and contra Eliade, I don’t think shamanism has a universal core. But, per the Siberian world, in actions held in much of the world, I think “travels” has to be part of the definition — as in travels to heaven(s) or other metaphysical spaces, time travel or both.
So on the who or what? Paul of Tarsus? Went to third heaven. Possibly a shaman. Jesus? No. Exorcists, faith healers and medicine men in general MAY be shamans, but aren’t necessarily so.
That said, like “travels,” psychological healing has to be part of the kit of shamanism in my book. Samuel of the Tanakh? And Saul first Israelite king, who also engaged in ecstatic behavior. No. Ezekiel? At least as possibly as Paul.
In the post-Paul NT world, Singh claims there was an immediate clampdown. Thinks actual Clement of Rome wrote 1 Clement circa 96 CE, as part of support. Reality? Probably 120-130 CE, around Pastoral Epistles.
Thirdly, not everybody in a trance or some other altered state of consciousness is a shaman, even when performing such religious rituals while in such state. In short, Sufi mystics are not shamans. But, as with healing, the altered state is on the other hand a necessary part of shamanism.
Elsewhere in history? Priestess of Delphi? No. Wovoka of the Ghost Dance? Lean no.
On the flip side of the above? I do not see prophecy as a necessary part of shamanism.
And, there you are. I’ve given you an actual functional definition of shamanism, more than the author has. Whether you, or he (as Singh comments on at least some reviews here) like my definition or not, it’s a definition. And, we have three or four things that I see as logically necessary for shamanism (but not logically sufficient) while noting it's a one-way street.
Later on, Singh talks about Quakers, Shakers and others. While he doesn’t explicitly call them shamans, he’s leaning on their alleged ecstatism. (How much Quaker quaking could be called ecstatic is itself an issue.)
The “why” is in the afterward. He’s a true believer, not (very much, though maybe he is a little bit, per one of his trips) in metaphysical aspects of shamanism, not the metaphysical parts, but the placebo-like healing benefits.
Missing are a couple of things.
First, does shamanism ever have a nocebo effect? Singh notes in passing that in traditional societies shamanism can fade into “witchcraft” or similar but doesn’t pursue this more.
Second, and related to that, the book has the feeling of being highly anecdotal. Yes, shamanism is not an amoeba under a microscope. None the less, as with shaman-led military actions in Uganda, Singh has an occasion or two of large-scale failed shamanism. Surely Singh could do some degree of data collection.
Also, in a book of 225 pages, short already, a full chapter on money managers and CEOs as “hedge wizards” was wasted space. And also, per my bs-pablum bookshelf? Other parts of the book had light, maybe moderate, pablum, but this chapter is high-grade bullshit and guaranteed the book wouldn't get a second star.
Finally, the index is nowhere near complete. For example, “delirients” are discussed in the chapter on drugs. No index entry. Ditto for ibogaine and other items. A badly incomplete index is almost as bad as no index.
1.5 stars, because the travelogue parts are interesting if not always scientific, but, rounded down.
September 25, 2025
This book should be at the top of everyone's reading list on the subject. Manvir Singh's work is one of the very first to account for all shamanic practices globally, without fantasies or exotic clichés. It is also exceptionally well written: witty, specific without being too technical, never boring.
Most books on shamanism focus on a specific local practice (missing its global significance) or fantasize it as a global but exotic phenomenon. Western accounts struggle to avoid neocolonial biases and pseudo-scientific claims, if not outright cultural exploitation.
Mr. Singh's work, based on ten years of research and a PhD from Harvard, explains the reasons for shamanism's resilience as a global religion and practice, while also acknowledging its many evolutions and the immense variety of its forms. This is an exceptionally hard thing to do, yet the book is a very easy read.
In short, this book is a perfect introduction to the subject, while also exploring many of its most complicated aspects. For instance:
- What shamanism is and how it actually works
- How it impacts even the most surprising aspects of Western culture (from Wall Street traders to biblical prophets)
- Why the claim of a "primordial" wisdom is most probably wrong... and why you shouldn't care
- Why the experience of healing matters, even if the healing itself is make-believe
- A few of the funnier stuff happening at Burning Man
- ...
Most books on shamanism focus on a specific local practice (missing its global significance) or fantasize it as a global but exotic phenomenon. Western accounts struggle to avoid neocolonial biases and pseudo-scientific claims, if not outright cultural exploitation.
Mr. Singh's work, based on ten years of research and a PhD from Harvard, explains the reasons for shamanism's resilience as a global religion and practice, while also acknowledging its many evolutions and the immense variety of its forms. This is an exceptionally hard thing to do, yet the book is a very easy read.
In short, this book is a perfect introduction to the subject, while also exploring many of its most complicated aspects. For instance:
- What shamanism is and how it actually works
- How it impacts even the most surprising aspects of Western culture (from Wall Street traders to biblical prophets)
- Why the claim of a "primordial" wisdom is most probably wrong... and why you shouldn't care
- Why the experience of healing matters, even if the healing itself is make-believe
- A few of the funnier stuff happening at Burning Man
- ...
June 2, 2025
Shamanism describes a group of human practices found widely across cultures. They involve the practitioner taking on an altered state where they gain superhuman wisdom and powers. Shamans work by convincing themselves and their followers that they can offer guidance in an uncertain world.
The author builds on his experience as an anthropologist in Indonesia to argue that shamanism is a root of religion (especially Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity) and plays an important role in the modern charismatic leadership (e.g., hedge fund managers, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs). Shamanism is often in conflict with more hierarchical and text-based traditions.
I found this a helpful perspective, but the nature of this sort of argument is always going to be more convincing than it is certain. It’s always going to be a challenge to first establish there is a group of practices across cultures that together can be recognized and treated one thing, and second to argue cause and effect with the muddy stuff of human culture. In this it reminds me of Dawkins’s evolutionary treatment of altruism.
The author builds on his experience as an anthropologist in Indonesia to argue that shamanism is a root of religion (especially Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity) and plays an important role in the modern charismatic leadership (e.g., hedge fund managers, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs). Shamanism is often in conflict with more hierarchical and text-based traditions.
I found this a helpful perspective, but the nature of this sort of argument is always going to be more convincing than it is certain. It’s always going to be a challenge to first establish there is a group of practices across cultures that together can be recognized and treated one thing, and second to argue cause and effect with the muddy stuff of human culture. In this it reminds me of Dawkins’s evolutionary treatment of altruism.
August 21, 2025
I’m a bit biased since I’m referenced in the book. I will restrict my comments to the things not related to my own passions.
I love how personal the author was. He wrote a book for the public space that is authentic to his journey. I loved his personal exploration and how he tied that to his academic work, rather than leaning too heavily on impressing professors.
The references to Pokémon level ups was awesome. And digging into “the otherness” of shamans made me think. They must separate themselves and use vehicles available to do so. Loved it.
I also enjoyed the framework for being a true shaman, instead of an analog of one.
I love how personal the author was. He wrote a book for the public space that is authentic to his journey. I loved his personal exploration and how he tied that to his academic work, rather than leaning too heavily on impressing professors.
The references to Pokémon level ups was awesome. And digging into “the otherness” of shamans made me think. They must separate themselves and use vehicles available to do so. Loved it.
I also enjoyed the framework for being a true shaman, instead of an analog of one.
September 17, 2025
Shamanism: The Timeless Religion is a rich, thought-provoking work that brings to light reasons why “shamanic” ways of knowing keep arising in human societies, and why they still matter. Singh succeeds in making a compelling case for shamanism as not just a relic of the past but a dynamic force in the present, especially as people seek meaning, healing, and connection beyond materialism or institutional faith.
It isn’t perfect: its sweeping claims sometimes gloss over complexity, and readers who want detailed case studies or stricter definitions may find themselves wanting more. But those limitations are part of what makes the book ambitious and valuable.
It isn’t perfect: its sweeping claims sometimes gloss over complexity, and readers who want detailed case studies or stricter definitions may find themselves wanting more. But those limitations are part of what makes the book ambitious and valuable.
September 8, 2025
This book challenged, provoked, and informed me. It was eminently readable. I wanted to quibble with the author on several points, including his skepticism of longterm use of psychedelics by Indigenous cultures based on (what seemed to me to be) dubious sources. It's definitely an anthropological examination of shamanism, not a spiritual or esoteric one. But it's full of interesting insights, deep research, and fascinating arguments (e.g., that Western money managers serve a similar role in some ways as shamans). I'll be glad to have this on my bookshelf for many years!
September 13, 2025
This book was a trip (see what I did there?!)! I learned a lot and appreciated how the author demystified shamanism both through personal accounts and carefully, well thought out research.
There’s a universalism to the human experience that the book’s chapters illuminate - wanting to make sense of the unknown, some form of comfort, guidance, access to the immaterial.
The subject matter might not be everyone’s cup of tea but Singh does a great job of giving “every day”
context for rituals & believes - athletes, ceos, political leaders, etc
There’s a universalism to the human experience that the book’s chapters illuminate - wanting to make sense of the unknown, some form of comfort, guidance, access to the immaterial.
The subject matter might not be everyone’s cup of tea but Singh does a great job of giving “every day”
context for rituals & believes - athletes, ceos, political leaders, etc
February 8, 2025
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.
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.
October 24, 2025
The shaman is a showman. He (usually) dazzles with footwork, with sleight of hand, with tales of spiritual travels and with props and costumes.
And sometimes he delivers.
Shamans were a fixture of ancient societies, reprising similar roles around the globe, and Manvir Singh argues that the appearance of shamans pretty much everywhere indicates they fill a human need. His belief is that shamans promise control over a dangerous world by seeking aid from powerful spirits, frustrating evil magicians who are out to get you, and giving you a fighting chance on a planet filled with people who are often not your friends.
Western science scoffs at shamans, but Singh points out that even the rich and powerful seek out modern shamans: Financial advisers. Warren Buffett famously said that investors should simply invest in index funds since the record of financial advisers was always worse that market production, and Singh reinforces that view by pointing out that financial advisers play much the same role as shamans do. They put on a show (with charts and graphs), they promise to give investors agency in an uncertain financial world, and they only deliver some of the time.
And the more traditional shamanic practices still exist, out on the fringes of the human potential movement, and Americans who want to find a shaman to exorcise their demons in what is claimed to be a timeless human way need only go online.
In fact, the newest manifestation of ancient shamanic practices might just be AI, which shrouds its uncertainty in comforting blankets of a supposedly higher intelligence. AI, however, doesn't dress up and pound on made-from-scratch drums to produce its pronouncements -- but it does promise that it's visited another world (on the internet) to come back with answers to your questions.
And sometimes he delivers.
Shamans were a fixture of ancient societies, reprising similar roles around the globe, and Manvir Singh argues that the appearance of shamans pretty much everywhere indicates they fill a human need. His belief is that shamans promise control over a dangerous world by seeking aid from powerful spirits, frustrating evil magicians who are out to get you, and giving you a fighting chance on a planet filled with people who are often not your friends.
Western science scoffs at shamans, but Singh points out that even the rich and powerful seek out modern shamans: Financial advisers. Warren Buffett famously said that investors should simply invest in index funds since the record of financial advisers was always worse that market production, and Singh reinforces that view by pointing out that financial advisers play much the same role as shamans do. They put on a show (with charts and graphs), they promise to give investors agency in an uncertain financial world, and they only deliver some of the time.
And the more traditional shamanic practices still exist, out on the fringes of the human potential movement, and Americans who want to find a shaman to exorcise their demons in what is claimed to be a timeless human way need only go online.
In fact, the newest manifestation of ancient shamanic practices might just be AI, which shrouds its uncertainty in comforting blankets of a supposedly higher intelligence. AI, however, doesn't dress up and pound on made-from-scratch drums to produce its pronouncements -- but it does promise that it's visited another world (on the internet) to come back with answers to your questions.
October 1, 2025
I thought this was a pretty interesting book - lots of material to think about with regards to the emergence, diffusion, and diversity of Shamanism worldwide. Of particular value I think is Singh's documentation of how modern "neo-Shamanism" came to be such a gloal force. The thesis - that Shamanism is not a part of our primal pre-industrial heritage, but rather an adaptive technology that keeps reemerging due to reoccuring needs in various human social orders - while hard to falsify, is stimulating for philosophical speculation at the very least. I will definitely be looking at the variety of sources he draws on for more on the topic.
The thing that prevents me from rating this book higher is a canard that pops up now and again, and is crystalized in the afterward - Singh has a big chip on his shoulder about the turn away from Universalism in cultural anthropology, which critics associate with politically imperialist regimes that anthropology helped to bolster. He argues, either in bad faith or misunderstanding the criticisms, that one can universalize about human behavior without reproducing eurocentric ideologies of dominaiton, and worries about this are silly and misguided. This ignoring the fact that the framework, methodology, body of knowledge, and tools used in the discipline were developed via anthropology's early mission as a colonizing instrument. Complaining about being called out on twitter and blaming the shadowy specter of "postmodernism" did not endear him to me further. As a work of science communication, this is an interesting object. I would maybe give it to a skeptical layman as a place to start on the topic of shamanism, but reccomend they check the sources and skip the rant in the back.
The thing that prevents me from rating this book higher is a canard that pops up now and again, and is crystalized in the afterward - Singh has a big chip on his shoulder about the turn away from Universalism in cultural anthropology, which critics associate with politically imperialist regimes that anthropology helped to bolster. He argues, either in bad faith or misunderstanding the criticisms, that one can universalize about human behavior without reproducing eurocentric ideologies of dominaiton, and worries about this are silly and misguided. This ignoring the fact that the framework, methodology, body of knowledge, and tools used in the discipline were developed via anthropology's early mission as a colonizing instrument. Complaining about being called out on twitter and blaming the shadowy specter of "postmodernism" did not endear him to me further. As a work of science communication, this is an interesting object. I would maybe give it to a skeptical layman as a place to start on the topic of shamanism, but reccomend they check the sources and skip the rant in the back.
September 30, 2025
This is a book of contradictions. It's a deeply rational book about irrationality. Mr. Singh tells how much of the real power and effectiveness of Shamanism is in its fakery. Its authenticity lies in its bogosity as, for example, when the noise and show around a healing practice actually effects the healing with a kind of placebo effect. Shamanism is often touted as being universal and ancient. Mr. Singh casts doubt on the antiquity of many shamanistic practices and shows that there are significant differences in Shamanistic practices around the world that belie its universality. Yet then he turns around and finds manifestations of Shamanism in every culture and religion throughout human history. You can't get more universal than that. Shamanism is often associated with hallucinogenic drugs, and Mr. Singh samples more than a few over the course of his story, but then goes on to tell us that only a tiny fraction of cultures have shamanistic practices built on drugs. In the beginning he bemoans the loss of the traditional cultures that he would have liked to study in their ancient purity, but soon comes to the understanding that there is no such thing as ancient purity since every human culture from the beginning of time has been influenced and altered by its neighbors. And it's all wrapped into the contradictions inherent in the field of Cultural Anthropology, born of imperialist and colonialist ideas of European superiority, but struggling and sometimes succeeding in finding new traction today as a legitimate academic discipline. It's all enough to make your head spin and push you into a Shamanistic trance.
June 15, 2025
Some valuable material concerning the history of Shamanism, combined with reports on the author's experiences with communities and shamans in Indonesia and Latin America. But there are a couple of issues that keep me from writing a more enthusiastic review. The primary one is that Singh never really commits himself to a specific enough idea of what shamanism is to distinguish it from numerous other shared cultural practices. (To be fair, he acknowledges this in a thoughtful epilog I wish had been more thoroughly integrated into the book.). His definition of a shaman as "a specialist who, through non-ordinary states, engaes with unseen realities and provides services like healing and divination" can take in too much material to be useful as a basis of comparison. That problem's at its most extreme when he attempts to fold money managers and the countercultural tourists at Burning Man into his data base. There are numerous places where he introduces fascinating topics--the shamanic elements of early Christianity--but moves on to the next focus before fully processing the implications. Still, I found much of value and I'm prone to accept his conclusion that "shaminism has become a stand-in for modernity's relationship with the Other."
Your basic 3.49 or 3.51 star book. I started the review at 3 stars, but will give him the benefit of the doubt in anticipation of clearer syntheses down the road.
Your basic 3.49 or 3.51 star book. I started the review at 3 stars, but will give him the benefit of the doubt in anticipation of clearer syntheses down the road.
September 13, 2025
Chills and deep laughter washed over me as I finished the last sentence of this book. How lucky am I to have stumbled upon this at my local library???
Never could I have imagined that such an objective/unbiased view could be produced about altered mental states by somebody who is so clearly passionate about the subject. I expected this book to be a quick history of shamanism and (hopefully) a discussion about the history of psychedelics. What I didn't expect was a book filled with wonderful science-backed stories, myth debunking, and personal experiences from around the world. I don't remember the last time that I enjoyed a book so thoroughly.
Manvir, if you ever make it to the middle-of-nowhere South Dakota, please let me know so that I can shake your hand and say thank you for all the work that you put into this book.
Never could I have imagined that such an objective/unbiased view could be produced about altered mental states by somebody who is so clearly passionate about the subject. I expected this book to be a quick history of shamanism and (hopefully) a discussion about the history of psychedelics. What I didn't expect was a book filled with wonderful science-backed stories, myth debunking, and personal experiences from around the world. I don't remember the last time that I enjoyed a book so thoroughly.
Manvir, if you ever make it to the middle-of-nowhere South Dakota, please let me know so that I can shake your hand and say thank you for all the work that you put into this book.
October 9, 2025
I waffled between three and four stars. I appreciated the nuanced view of shamanism and discussion of the misconceptions that abound on the topic. I found like many non-fiction books, it felt rather repetitive. That's a tough situation, because it is, in fact, important to show that conclusions are not based on one or two examples, but recounting more widely the experiences and research underlying the book gets repetitive. I chose 4 stars because I ultimately skimmed those sections, absorbing the gist without getting bogged down, and I think the book as a whole tells us something about aspects of non-shamanic life that are puzzling. My main example here is how people continue to follow professional investment advice of the kind that has been proven to be nonsense. These folks aren't shamans, but it is easier to understand the phenomenon with a greater understanding of shamanism.
December 11, 2025
An accessible read, and I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, which was clear, poetic at times, and often thought-provoking. He brings enthusiasm to the subject and offers a perspective that feels both personal and reflective.
That said, I found myself wishing the book had been grounded deeper. I expected a stronger grounding in the history of shamanism across different cultures, with more exploration of how various traditions developed and what distinguishes them from one another. The content moved around in ways that occasionally felt transient, and certain topics seemed somewhat out of place or insufficiently connected to the main thread.
Overall, a worthwhile read with moments of real insight, but readers looking for a more structured, comprehensive survey of shamanic traditions may come away wanting more, much as I did
That said, I found myself wishing the book had been grounded deeper. I expected a stronger grounding in the history of shamanism across different cultures, with more exploration of how various traditions developed and what distinguishes them from one another. The content moved around in ways that occasionally felt transient, and certain topics seemed somewhat out of place or insufficiently connected to the main thread.
Overall, a worthwhile read with moments of real insight, but readers looking for a more structured, comprehensive survey of shamanic traditions may come away wanting more, much as I did
December 22, 2025
Sat down and read through this in one sitting during the great SF power outage the evening of December 20th.
Overall, this is exactly what you'd expect of a non-fiction book taking an academic look at any given topic. It comes across as balanced and well researched, and I certainly learned quite a bit about shamanism, its practice, and the academic debates encircling it. It's a pleasant read.
What it lacked was bite. While it makes some cases that may seem a bit unexpected (though they flow quite naturally to me, like shamanic roots of tech founders and Jesus), he seems to let them hang, some barb left unsaid. Perhaps out of caution, or ignorance, or something else. It's clear there's a megatrend lurking within the individual strings he pulls, he just doesn't take them all the way. I wish he had.
Overall, this is exactly what you'd expect of a non-fiction book taking an academic look at any given topic. It comes across as balanced and well researched, and I certainly learned quite a bit about shamanism, its practice, and the academic debates encircling it. It's a pleasant read.
What it lacked was bite. While it makes some cases that may seem a bit unexpected (though they flow quite naturally to me, like shamanic roots of tech founders and Jesus), he seems to let them hang, some barb left unsaid. Perhaps out of caution, or ignorance, or something else. It's clear there's a megatrend lurking within the individual strings he pulls, he just doesn't take them all the way. I wish he had.
July 21, 2025
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy*
A scattered assortment of ideas about shamanism and its practice and history. I thought the book itself was alright, although I thought some of the takeaways the author had was a little odd. I was hoping for something more anthropological rather than journalistic.
A scattered assortment of ideas about shamanism and its practice and history. I thought the book itself was alright, although I thought some of the takeaways the author had was a little odd. I was hoping for something more anthropological rather than journalistic.
November 27, 2025
I liked the balanced approach.The author questions assumptions but in a charitable way. The book gives a good insight into the cultural similarity v difference debate in anthropology and ends with a nice explanation of how postmodern sentiment has led to a regrettable decline in arguments from the 'similarities' side of the debate.
June 15, 2025
Very strong writing and convincing argument. This book also feels like an adventure, whisking the reader to places like distant Indonesia, Burning Man, and the Amazon. Strongly recommend for readers interested in engrossing, intellectual nonfiction who want to see the world differently.
September 25, 2025
some suuuper interesting parts and some suuuuper boring parts. kinda just an oddly structured book overall but the bits about his experiences in specific cultures were the most interesting fs. would recommend if you’re into the topic, wouldn’t if you’re not………. keeping it vague
November 21, 2025
Beautiful cover and fascinating subject. Overall, however, the book didn't go into enough depth for me. I enjoy academic anthropology monographs, and this was very much written for a general audience.
June 28, 2025
Fascinating dive into why so many cultures have turned to shamans for healing, insight, and power. Smart, readable, and full of wild stories that actually help explain how the human mind works.
July 5, 2025
This mix of anthropology, adventure/travelogue, and theological exploration doesn’t always work; the narrative is full of non-sequiturs that cloud the research and vague conclusions.
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