The Cosmic Serpent

DNA and the Origins of Knowledge

By: Jeremy Narby

Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin

Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

This adventure in science and imagination, which the Medical Tribune said might herald "a Copernican revolution for the life sciences", leads the listener through unexplored jungles and uncharted aspects of mind to the heart of knowledge. In a first-person narrative of scientific discovery that opens new perspectives on biology, anthropology, and the limits of rationalism, The Cosmic Serpent reveals how startlingly different the world around us appears when we open our minds to it.

©1998 Jeremy Narby (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[A]n intriguing detective story, wondrous visions and a wealth of fascinating information on genetic science, shamanism, etc...." ( Publishers Weekly)

Super interesting take

It's a quick listen, but an interesting perspective on "alternative medicine," biology, psychology, life, and to some extent, religion. I may not believe it necessarily, but I certainly appreciated the perspective and food for thought.

Mind blowing

This book is incredible. Mind-bending. Possibility-opening.
It requires a certain level of openness, but for anyone looking for a deeper path into contemplation and knowing, this is the book for you.
Thank you, Jeremy Narby.

Connected Dots

What an incredible book from start to finish. Many things observed within the book are also things I've experienced on my past ceremonies. The way it was written and presented actually helped me connect the dots to some unanswered questions I had. My only critique would be to address Epigenetics in the book since this is starting to become aware to the general public slowly but surely.

Interesting premise that is multidimensional

Establishing the validity of indigenous peoples with a special focus on the ones in the Amazon is brilliant.

Especially impressed with willingness of the author to buck the heartless and in my humble opinion headless notion that the wisdom of what most scientists and so-called rational thinking consumers of Western ideology deem primitive.

Bravo! Look forward to the moment when this time/space continuum intersects with the holographic innate knowing of what many indigenous cultures in the world already have coursing through their living DNA. (Actually all beings).

This version or explanation opens the infinite possibilities that include more than plant based access to our serpentine heritage which may reach beyond the terrestrial...

interesting perspective

not as detailed as I was hoping for but definitely makes you think about things in a different light.

Fantastic Read

Very well written and narrated. Actually listened to it about 4 times already because of the amount and complexity of information presented by the author. Perfect timing for this read for me as well as I am about to embark on my first Ayahuasca ceremony next month!

Very Interesting Concept

Contains impressive isomorphisms between multiple rational disciplines and meta-physical (arguably physical) concepts. Recommended to the reader with hands on experience in either or both academic disciplines and spiritual practice.

Ummm…

It starts and ends with interesting experiences, rational thoughts, and admirable open-mindedness. Somewhere in the middle it just reads like an example of how confirmation bias works.

When a nonscientist develops a science theory

This book was very entertaining and simultaneously ridiculous. It's what you get when a nonscientist (anthropologists are not scientists) elucidates his biology theory. Please don't be taken in by his theory. Read it as fiction or as the memoir of a drug-addled mind, and you will enjoy it.

An interesting concept that goes no where...

Is there anything you would change about this book?

A good editor would have told the anthropologist to change the narrative-instead of reading like a scientific treatise, it would have been more compelling as a story.He pays tribute to Carlos Castanada's experience with shaman Don Juan, and Narby would have done well to put his experience into a similar story form. AND... he started with an excellent, the 'collective consciousness,' dwells on it brieflythrough connections in nature and his drug-induced visions.. but goes no where.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Trevor Noah.. I need some laughs.

What three words best describe James Patrick Cronin’s voice?

He read like a scientist: detached, removed, droning. Not easy to pay attention.

Could you see The Cosmic Serpent being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It would make an interesting story... but needs more... development.