Review
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"Ayahuasca is the vision vine, the of the gods, the
most powerful tool in the repertoire of the shaman of the
Northwest . More and more people from all corners of the world
are discovering its wonder. It's not a simple thing, and
certainly not for the fainthearted; taking ayahuasca is a chance
to tear open the placenta of ordinary reality and emerge
transformed. This is a book that can help you on the journey."
--Wade Davis, author of One River
"In the engaging style that those familiar with Chris Kilham's
work have come to know and love, the Medicine Hunter provides a
dense but entertaining overview of the magic ian brew ayahuasca.
He discusses the history, botany, chemistry, cology and
ethnographic context of ayahuasca, and and, true to the spirit of
the title, gives readers an informative 'flight manual'
describing the physical and psychological effects of the brew.
Kilham also describes the dimensions and entities ayahuasca
voyagers can expect to encounter in their shamanic explorations
and provides a few pointers on how to keep their spirit ship
sailing smoothly. The Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook is an
excellent introduction for those new to the ayahuasca experience
and a solid reference for grizzled veterans. Highly recommended!"
--Dennis McKenna, author of Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss
"Chris Kilham writes convincingly and eloquently about some of
his--and my--favorite medicinal s from the ian rainforest,
my 'second home' for nearly twenty-five years. Like Chris, I have
a great respect for the ayuahuasca, the entheogen."
--Dr. Jim Duke, author of istatins and The Green cy
"Chris Kilham continues to shine the light on nature's medicines.
In this book, he has provided the ayahuasca traveler with an
essential and practical guide that is well-informed, personal,
and fun. I highly recommend this book to those who want to learn
from the wisdom of the s."
--Joe Tafur, MD
"People testing ayahuasca will gain much from reading this book
before take-off. Chris Kilham knows his s, his writing is
fun, and the book itself is packed with knowledge."
--Jeremy Narby, author of The Cosmic Serpent
"A worthy primer for anyone interested in learning about
ayahuasca. Well researched, well written, on target. Chris Kilham
has added another important book to the ayahuasca bookshelf."
--Peter Gorman, author of Ayahuasca in My Blood--25 Years of
Medicine Dreaming
"Chris Kilham is one of the world's leading advocates of the
medicinal use of traditional ian ayahuasca. This book unveils the
mysteries surrounding Ayahuasca and provides a strong foundation
for anyone interested in journeying to the to participate in
these extraordinary ceremonies or understanding the emerging
Western fascination with visionary medicine."
--Hamilton Souther, master Ayahuasca shaman and founder of Blue
Morpho Tours
"When I first moved to New York City I bought a copy of that
famous black subway guidebook, and I carried it everywhere for my
first six months in the city. Chris Kilham has created the
equivalent for the equally vast cosmic landscape of ayahuasca
shamanism. From lodge and shaman reports to the history of South
American shamanism, and including veteran tips for navigating
both terrestrial and celestial ian terrains, this one-of-a-kind
guidebook is a must-read for all spiritual seekers who are being
called to work with or learn more about the ayahuasca tradition."
--Adam Elenbaas, author of Fishers of Men: The Gospel of an
Ayahuasca Vision Quest
"I can't imagine that anyone besides Chris Kilham could write
the definitive guide to using ayahuasca. In this book, Chris
shares his vast knowledge base and experience with la medicina in
a way that's informative, entertaining, and enlightening. When it
comes to explaining this ancient, powerful medicine to
Westerners, Chris is the man!"--Robyn Griggs Lawrence,
natural-living advocate and former editor of Natural Home
magazine
"In his latest book, Chris Kilham provides fascinating and
engaging context on the traditional utilization of one of the New
World's most powerful s, Ayahuasca, bringing the reader on
an ethnobotanical journey of learning about the past and present
use of this sacred ian vine."
--Michael J. Balick, author of Rodale's 21st Century al
"Chris Kilham is a brilliant adventure storyteller with the gift
of gab, and he shares fringe explorations, intense inspirations,
wild-ride revelations, and healings that will make you
feel like laughing, crying, nodding, twisting your head, and
marveling at the vast mystery that is spirit."
--Zoe Helene, founder of Cosmic Sister
"Kilham writes clearly and compellingly on a complicated topic.
Some will appreciate the history, context, and chemistry of la
medicina, while all of us who love healing s will delight in
this literary immersion into a sacred journey. Reading this
handbook triggered belly laughs of re and body memories
of spirit flights with trusted shamans such as those this primer
describes."
--Amanda McQuade Crawford, MA, Dip. Phyto., RH (AHG), MNZAMH,
MCPP
"Chris Kilham takes us on an easy-to-read journey into the ian
world of ayahuasca, eloquently covering the history, science, and
experience of the visionary and healing jungle brew that the
Western world is only now discovering."
--Chris Bennett, author of Cannabis and the Soma Solution
"Kilham is the best person today to authentically tell the
ayahuasca story because he embodies all things necessary to take
us on that journey: he is a botanist, a widely recognized
-medicine explorer, a close friend of tribal peoples, a
historian, a storyteller, and one who has had a great many
journeys with the medicine. With a brilliant, open mind and
endless spiritual energy, Chris has pulled together the knowledge
and stories of ayahuasca in a way that will help guide anyone
into and through the wonder of it."
--Linda Sparrow, author, filmmaker, and natural-products marketer
"All You've Ever Wanted to Know about Ayahuasca but Didn't Know
What or Whom to Ask: Chris Kilham, aptly named the Medicine
Hunter, is the ultimate storyteller: wise, funny, articulate, and
wonderfully charming, in the best possible sense. He takes us on
a magical journey spanning all aspects of the ayahuasca
experience--the , the people involved (shamans and
participants), the outer journey, the inner journey, and how to
navigate the intricacies of it all. His kindness, warmth and
spirit shine throughout. You can't help loving this book--and its
most captivating author."
--Hyla Cass, MD, psychiatrist, author of 8 Weeks to Vibrant
"Written from personal experience and in his typical delightful
storytelling style, Chris Kilham's The Ayahuasca Test Pilot's
Handbook: The Essential Guide to Ayahuasca Journeying is just
that. The use of hallucinogenic substances for this type of
journeying or healing requires cultural guides. Chris provides a
bridge from the ancient to the modern, interweaving the
culturally shamanic understanding of the experience with that of
the modern seeker. It is a delightful read for those interested
in the psycho-spiritual use of s and truly is a guide for
those seeking the experience."
--Roy Upton, RH, DipAyu, Executive Director, American al
copoeia
"I have known Chris Kilham for nearly forty years, and it was my
good fortune to be part of a small group that went with Chris to
drink La Medicina and be in ceremonies with several wonderful
shamans. In this book, Chris Kilham has proven himself to be the
foremost messenger of the s. The images are accurate and the
experiences he shares are heartfelt, humorous, and savvy. Any
attempt to educate and inform about natural products and their
value, and about the importance of the indigenous cultures from
which they come, pales when compared to one simple lecture from
Chris Kilham."
--Andy Levine, author and founder of Yellow Emperor s
"There is a pandemic of suffering from psycho-spiritual
illnesses that modern care is not able to address. An
ever-increasing number of people yearn for 'something more' in
life. In answer, ayahuasca is reaching out across the globe to
offer its significant benefits. But with the substantial growth
in interest in the medicine, there is more and more need to
foster an educated, reverent, and cautious approach to drinking
ayahuasca. The Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook is a candid and at
times humorous book packed with important information to help
people consciously navigate their way into and through their
first experiences with ayahuasca. I highly recommend this book as
a valuable resource for people interested in beginning a path of
healing and self-discovery with ayahuasca."
--Matthew Watherston, founder of Temple of the Way of Light
"Most experts would agree that for psychedelic adventures,
a good guide is essential, and a great guide can make this
journey truly life-altering. In The Ayahuasca Test Pilot's
Handbook, Chris Kilham becomes our great guide in understanding
the phenomena of ayahuasca, informing and enlightening us on this
most personal of journeys. Kilham covers the requisite
basics of any thorough investigation, but also skillfully
and reverently handles the concept of communication with '
spirit' and describes in detail--and with open-minded humor--the
wide range of experiences a human can have on the ayahuasca
journey. If this is your next adventure, don't 'leave home'
without this helpful and all-inclusive guide."
--Lynda LeMole, consultant to al businesses; former president
of Traditional Medicinals
"Chris Kilham has written a true handbook for anyone interested
in Ayahuasca. If you are brand new to ayahuasca and searching for
real information into this interesting medicine, then this
book is the ideal place to go. If you have partaken in ayahuasca
ceremonies in the past, you'll find clear details that may help
you better explain and understand what you experienced but had
never found the right words to share with others."
--Malcolm Rossiter, shaman at Blue Morpho
"Finally, a well-researched and well-written book on that most
powerful of all ian s! The best book on ayahuasca since
Jeremy Narby's The Cosmic Serpent "
--Mark Plotkin, ethnobotanist, author of Tales of a Shaman's
Apprentice.
About the Author
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Called "The Indiana Jones of natural medicine" by CNN, CHRIS
KILHAM is an author and educator who has conducted medicinal
research in over 30 countries. Kilham has appeared as a guest
expert on hundreds of radio and television programs, including
ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, BBC, Oprah & Friends, FOX TV, and NPR.
As a TV correspondent and guest he has spoken about medicine
hunting, traditional botanical medicines, nutraceuticals,
environmental and cultural preservation, and other related topics
for a wide variety of audiences. Kilham lectures extensively on
holistic and botanical medicines, throughout the United
States and many other countries, and teaches ethnobotany at the
University of Massachusetts, Amherst.