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And if Wade Davis’s journey into Amazonia whets your appetite, try his
exploration of Haitian voodoo societies in search of the source of zombies, The
Serpent and the Rainbow, a breathtaking book. Now out in paperback, this account
of a real-life expedition to discover the toxic plants and animals used in the
powerful poisons administered by Haiti’s houngans to turn people into zombies.
But far from simply solving the chemical mystery, Davis is drawn deep into the
culture and history of the island, knowledge of which is essential for
understanding the power of voodoo. Davis is almost a swashbuckling hero, and his
tale is full of horror, suspense and surprising revelations. A rare thing for a
science book, this will have you glued to the page. Published by Simon &
Schuster, $13, ISBN 0684839296.