Where the Spirits Dwell: An Odyssey in the Jungle of New Guinea

I read this book as a follow up to "Keep The River On Your Right". Again, Tobias takes us where few of us have ventured before. This exploration takes us to the primative people of New Guinea. Tobias gives us an excellent narrative of encounters with the people. In addition, we have insight to the politics and policies of the 1970's, when these people are invaded by the outside world as the need for natural resources become greater. Those who are interested in primative cultures, anthropology and third world experience will highly enjoy this book.

Having visited the region where this book is set I found it mostly interesting for giving a picture of how things used to be there - they are much changed today!For those who haven't been to the Asmat region of New Guinea, this will be a fascinating read. Those inspired to go should be prepared to find it a lot more civilized these days.

Very interesting to read. Gives a look at a unique culture.

Very interesting and eye opening inside into native Papuans life.

I read the book after reading Carl Hoffman's book "Savage Harvest". It was a very good compliment to the Hoffman book.

A nice read but a bit too much about the author rather than about the people of New Guinea.

I read this book and enjoyed it. Tobias is an off the books type of person, who is haphazardly entering upon territory in a why that is both remarkable but beyond the responsible range of any anthropologist. the other person reveiwing this book says that the Asmat regions are now civilized, so much the worse. there are traits common to the humanistic tradition which have thrived for millenia due to thier geografic remoteness, now the origins of our collective character is being usurped by values and judgements most purverse. Tobias was a man who belonged to a bygone era. one of color and mystisim. i rate this book highly for those who cant afford to bombard New guinea with thier tourisim and want a look at what things were like in a diffrent time and scope.

Wenn man dann noch die Gegend bereist hat, dann kommen beim Lesen die tollen Erinnerungen zurück. Der Autor schreibt gut lesbar und das Englisch ist auch für Laien gut zu lesen.