Into the Silence

The Great War, Mallory, and the Conquest of Everest

Wade Davis

The book chronicles the British expeditions to Mount Everest in the early 1920s, set against the backdrop of the devastating aftermath of World War I. It delves into the lives and motivations of the climbers, particularly George Mallory, as they confront the immense challenges of the world's highest peak.

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The Serpent and the Rainbow

Wade Davis

The book explores the author's experiences in Haiti investigating the process of "zombification," delving into the intersection of Vodou, culture, and the use of a psychoactive compound by Bokors (Vodou priests). It presents a blend of ethnobotany, anthropology, and personal narrative to demystify the concept of zombies and examine the social and political underpinnings of Haitian culture.

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One River

Wade Davis

The book chronicles the explorations of ethnobotanist Richard Evans Schultes across the Amazon rainforest, documenting his studies of indigenous plants and their uses, alongside the journeys of his students who continue his work, delving into the relationship between humans and the vast biodiversity of the Amazon. It weaves together the history of plant exploration, the cultural impact of psychoactive flora, and the personal narratives of the scientists involved.

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