50 pages 1 hour read

Wade Davis

The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2009

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Wayfinders by Wade Davis is a collection of lectures that celebrate and explain the traditional wisdom and worldviews of some of the world's oldest and most remote cultures. Davis argues that these cultures possess valuable environmental knowledge essential for humanity's survival and critiques Western industrialism's lack of respect for such wisdom. The book highlights the urgency of preserving these traditions and adopts a unique technique by intertwining historical and contemporary anthropology with personal narratives. Sensitive topics addressed include the histories of colonization, cultural loss, and ecological destruction.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Wade Davis' The Wayfinders has been praised for its compelling exploration of indigenous cultures and anthropological insights. Reviewers appreciate Davis' eloquent prose and respectful portrayal of diverse communities. Some find the book occasionally repetitive and dense. Overall, it is considered an enlightening read that celebrates cultural diversity and knowledge.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Wayfinders?

A reader who would enjoy The Wayfinders by Wade Davis is fascinated by cultural anthropology, Indigenous knowledge, and the preservation of traditional wisdom. Similar in appeal to Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel and Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens, this book captures the intricate tapestry of human civilization through diverse, often endangered, cultures.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Anthropology

Science / Nature

Technology

Themes

Society: Community

Genre

Anthropology

Philosophy

Travel Literature