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Outline

RLB bookreview LMM Castenada&DeMillebooks

1980, The Laughing Man: On the Secrets and Principles of Religion, Spirituality and Human Culturees of R

Abstract

This book review was published decades ago in the Laughing Man Magazine Special Issue on Shamanism, as controversy swirled around the authenticity (or lack thereof) of the influential anthropologist Carlos Castenada and his "fictionalized" accounts of his trials and initiations by the Mexican sorcerer Don Juan Matus, a Yaqui Indian. Castenada's fictional novels were major best-sellers that introduced Native American practices to a global, pop culture audience. This review compared a recently published book by scholar Richard DeMille, consisting of analysis by scores of spiritual scholars critical of Castenada's work with Castenada's simultaneously published book in his series, The Eagle's Gift, in which he responded to growing criticism. The review includes my own analysis and critique of both books.