An interesting, concise, and fairly accurate guide to shamanism as an ideal, independent of any cultural tradition. It defines what shamanism is, as distinct from other varieties of mystical/magical practice, discusses shamanism as it has been practiced, using mostly quotes from primary sources, and then shifts focus to modern shamanism as a form of alternative medicine.

Should be useful to anyone interested in modern shamanism; the emphasis on shamanism as basic principles and as pragmatic tool was very useful in world-building fantasy shamans, as well. However, take individual bits with a grain of salt; the book uses some dodgy sources, though the bibliographies are good. ( )