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The Last Shaman
The Last Shaman is a captivating ride through the jungles of war-torn Africa. Mark Vale, who represents any of us struggling to take consistent ownership of our personal power, takes an unwanted journey to find the last shaman who is responsible for ending the war and saving thousands of lives. All throughout, Mark learns from a colourful array of characters – including a Doctor of Philosophy exiled in the swamps, a shape-shifting sorceress, and the widow of a tribal scout – who teach him to commit completely to the desires of his soul. We see how that commitment enables him to create in a way that uplifts not only himself, but also the whole world that he is a part of. ‘Like The Alchemist and The Celestine Prophecy, The Last Shaman is poised to take its rightful place among the spiritual classics of our time’. – Doreen Banaszak, author of ‘Excuse Me, Your Life is Now’. William Whitecloud grew up in the small African country of Eswatini, immersed in the supernatural worldview of the tribes-people around him. This magical association was reinforced when he immigrated to Australia in 1983 and began speculating in global financial money markets, using profoundly esoteric methods for predicting market movements. Over time William’s attention shifted from observing phenomena at work outside himself to finding ways he could practically apply magic to creating what truly mattered to him in his own life. This search brought him into contact with the alchemical principles of Hermetic Philosophy and the ideas of Robert Fritz, founder of Technologies for Creating. Within months, William had begun to study and teach these superbly effective modalities for reconnecting with and manifesting what is truly important to the human spirit. In 1996 William founded the precursor to his Natural Success program, dedicated to empowering participants live their authentic natures and purposes. Through his involvement in the program, he has worked one-on-one with thousands of individuals over periods of two to three years or more, coaching them in bringing their dreams into reality. His search to discern the essence of what it takes for people to connect with and live from their creative spirits led him to the observation that a person’s level of creativity determines their level of natural success in life and inspired him to develop a curriculum dedicated to serving people in operating on their highest creative frequency. William now lives in Santa Monica, California, one of the most creative centres in the world, where he devotes his time to coaching, writing, film making, and letting life unfold by magic.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2012
49 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 24, 2013
This book is filled with exciting adventure, life lessons, questions about the life that we have often fallen into by default, real magic when connected to spirit and how to sort out our lives so they are both meaningful and serving the greater good.
It starts out quite slow - - and seems chauvanistic at first - -but if you push through the awkward beginning the story moves into the life adventure William Whitecloud has had - or claims to have had in Africa where he was born.
Along with the profound insights and many life thoughts to ponder, William Whitecloud gifts us with almost photo like descriptions of the wildlife and vistas that he encounters on his journey:
"Mauve mountains at the far end of the lake lay like petrified dragons in a distant world of their own. Ten thousand strong flocks of flamingos floated across the mirror-flat, icy blue waters like pink cloud shadows. Formations of spur-wing and Egyptian geese sailed calmly over us, as squadrons of whistler ducks darted and weaved around them. An emerald band of papyrus choked the shallows of the islands’ shorelines, while the banks behind were covered in dry, bronze winter grass. Perched in the high gray branches of dead trees, the distinctive forms of fish eagles looked imperiously down on their kingdoms. We passed herds of buffalo, in their thousands, stampeding down to water like flows of black lava. Huge pods of hippo lay half submerged, attended by oxpeckers and tickbirds picking parasites from their heads. Fawn-colored Lechwe, a specially adapted swamp antelope, lunged through the reeds, either in play or to dart away from predators hidden from our eyes. It was the most breathtaking scene I had ever witnessed."
(Kindle Locations 1557-1564). . Kindle Edition.
I highly recommend this book for the insights that it will bring you to and the adventure and intimate view of a fast disappearing Africa.
It starts out quite slow - - and seems chauvanistic at first - -but if you push through the awkward beginning the story moves into the life adventure William Whitecloud has had - or claims to have had in Africa where he was born.
Along with the profound insights and many life thoughts to ponder, William Whitecloud gifts us with almost photo like descriptions of the wildlife and vistas that he encounters on his journey:
"Mauve mountains at the far end of the lake lay like petrified dragons in a distant world of their own. Ten thousand strong flocks of flamingos floated across the mirror-flat, icy blue waters like pink cloud shadows. Formations of spur-wing and Egyptian geese sailed calmly over us, as squadrons of whistler ducks darted and weaved around them. An emerald band of papyrus choked the shallows of the islands’ shorelines, while the banks behind were covered in dry, bronze winter grass. Perched in the high gray branches of dead trees, the distinctive forms of fish eagles looked imperiously down on their kingdoms. We passed herds of buffalo, in their thousands, stampeding down to water like flows of black lava. Huge pods of hippo lay half submerged, attended by oxpeckers and tickbirds picking parasites from their heads. Fawn-colored Lechwe, a specially adapted swamp antelope, lunged through the reeds, either in play or to dart away from predators hidden from our eyes. It was the most breathtaking scene I had ever witnessed."
(Kindle Locations 1557-1564). . Kindle Edition.
I highly recommend this book for the insights that it will bring you to and the adventure and intimate view of a fast disappearing Africa.
February 13, 2013
The author requested reviewers for his book; I responded and he sent me a copy to read.
I'm at a loss how to express my opinion of the book, but I'll try. Right off the bat, I'll say that it took me a long time (for me) to finish the book, which indicates that it's not a page turner. I forced myself to read a chapter at a time because I hoped there would be a resolution to the story; it is listed as a book of fiction and adventure, after all. I had a hard time getting interested in the characters and the setting, although the last two chapters did have a resolution, not particularly satisfying. The "spiritual wisdom" also escaped me, because most of the wisdom was delivered in a dogmatic, rambling style, mostly from one "spiritual teacher" in the story. Mark, the main character, just took it in -- the "wisdom" and the perils -- without question. Obviously, the story was fabricated in order to impart the author's philosophy. I'm thinking most readers pick up this book because they already know this author's teachings and want to read more. This was my first introduction to him and reading the book doesn't inspire me to learn more about him.
I'm at a loss how to express my opinion of the book, but I'll try. Right off the bat, I'll say that it took me a long time (for me) to finish the book, which indicates that it's not a page turner. I forced myself to read a chapter at a time because I hoped there would be a resolution to the story; it is listed as a book of fiction and adventure, after all. I had a hard time getting interested in the characters and the setting, although the last two chapters did have a resolution, not particularly satisfying. The "spiritual wisdom" also escaped me, because most of the wisdom was delivered in a dogmatic, rambling style, mostly from one "spiritual teacher" in the story. Mark, the main character, just took it in -- the "wisdom" and the perils -- without question. Obviously, the story was fabricated in order to impart the author's philosophy. I'm thinking most readers pick up this book because they already know this author's teachings and want to read more. This was my first introduction to him and reading the book doesn't inspire me to learn more about him.
September 15, 2015
I'm happy that I started at the beginning of the story with The Magician's Way, which I found hard to put down when I started it.
The ending was surprisingly good.
Great writing that captured my imagination in every sense.
The ending was surprisingly good.
Great writing that captured my imagination in every sense.
August 2, 2012
Loved it - full of fabulous imagery, inspiration and insight all bundled up in a gripping story. Leaves ripples in the consciousness that will change your life.
December 29, 2012
Brilliant fantastic full of magic
August 24, 2018
Very thought provoking, but not for everyone.
February 17, 2022
An easy read on the importance of exploring and navigating decisions and life through intuition in the unseen world, and the impact this can have in your internal and external worlds. Good little fable, worth a read.
April 4, 2024
Beautifully descriptive this adventurous tale set in war torn Africa, brings us a story that leads us to question and reflect on our own lives. Somewhat bringing us to a greater awareness of ourselves and the lives we live.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2022
I love all of William's books. He has been instrumental in changing my life for the better. The book itself is very engaging and a brilliant story. Along with many powerful lessons along the way.
March 20, 2025
This is a book I read for book club. I found it interesting, having spent time in Africa and read a book on Shamanism in different cultures. It is a leap of imagination and may leave many readers cold. The experience of people entering spiritual states via meditation, prolonged overstimulation, taking hallucinating drugs or being sensorially deprived for an extended period are well described. Whether they offer a unique understanding of life during these states is a substantial debate.
February 17, 2026
The main character, Mark Vale, isn’t a novice when the book begins. He is actually a highly successful self-help author who teaches people how to create their reality. The inviting incident of the book is that despite his vast knowledge of magic, his business collapses and his marriage fails because his success was built on a foundation of Ego (leveraged investments and wants) rather than Spirit.
The Hitler Effect: If you learn the mechanics of creating reality but apply them from a place of deep inferiority, lack, or anger (Ego), you can still achieve massive power and success. However, because the root vibration is negative, that creation will inevitably become destructive and eventually collapse in on itself.
The discovery of a hidden cave painting dubbed the Mona Lisa of Africa is based on the rich history of ancient San rock art found in Southern Africa. This 6k year old art depicts a shaman shape-shifting and entering a trance state to battle evil spirits. It serves as proof to Mark that supernatural healing isn’t just a random miracle, but an applied, repeatable process - a formula that can be learned.
Many people in the modern self-help or spiritual space learn the mechanical laws of attraction (the how-to), but entirely lack the self-knowledge to understand their own true motivations. Without knowing yourself, wielding creative power is described as being dashed against the rocks by reason of their own folly - foolishness.
The Law of Attraction seems to work so infrequently for most people. You cannot simply think positive thoughts to get what you want; you have to fundamentally break out of the mind prison of your underlying, unconscious beliefs.
The Hitler Effect: If you learn the mechanics of creating reality but apply them from a place of deep inferiority, lack, or anger (Ego), you can still achieve massive power and success. However, because the root vibration is negative, that creation will inevitably become destructive and eventually collapse in on itself.
The discovery of a hidden cave painting dubbed the Mona Lisa of Africa is based on the rich history of ancient San rock art found in Southern Africa. This 6k year old art depicts a shaman shape-shifting and entering a trance state to battle evil spirits. It serves as proof to Mark that supernatural healing isn’t just a random miracle, but an applied, repeatable process - a formula that can be learned.
Many people in the modern self-help or spiritual space learn the mechanical laws of attraction (the how-to), but entirely lack the self-knowledge to understand their own true motivations. Without knowing yourself, wielding creative power is described as being dashed against the rocks by reason of their own folly - foolishness.
The Law of Attraction seems to work so infrequently for most people. You cannot simply think positive thoughts to get what you want; you have to fundamentally break out of the mind prison of your underlying, unconscious beliefs.
May 19, 2013
Believable expedition into what humans might once be possible of doing. Lessons in how expectations influence our experience and how not to fall into trap of living ordinary life; how to overcome bad habits; how to achieve whatever you desire and be sure that the desire you in your best interest and more - that is The Last Shaman
Inspiring wrote longer review of The Last Shaman on g-row.com
Inspiring wrote longer review of The Last Shaman on g-row.com
April 22, 2014
Enjoying!
December 16, 2012
I probably would of enjoyed this book more, if I did not read all the rave reviews, as my expectation was very high
December 24, 2016
Life changing
No... Read this and you review... If you are lucky enough to allow yourself to read it!!!! If you do....
No... Read this and you review... If you are lucky enough to allow yourself to read it!!!! If you do....
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews