Manvir Singh ’08

Manvir Singh ’08, an anthropology professor at University of California, Davis, recently published the book “Shamanism: The Timeless Religion,” an in-depth investigation of the practice of shamanism that has received glowing praise from outlets including "The Atlantic," "Time," and "The New Yorker."

The review in "The New Yorker" offers the following synopsis:

"Singh, a contributor to 'The New Yorker,' supplies a vivid study of who shamans are, and why their practices, which predate organized religion, have endured for centuries. He deftly weaves together memoir and fieldwork, reporting from places as varied as Indonesia, the Amazon forest, and Burning Man, and reveals how shamanistic traditions have infiltrated both our culture and our politics."

More Positive Press for “Shamanism: The Timeless Religion”:
The Atlantic: Return of the Shaman
The Spectator: Why shamanism shouldn’t be dismissed as superstitious savagery
The New Yorker: The Best Books We've Read This Week
Time: The Best New Books to Read in May
Featured excerpt in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/01/the-ancient-psychedelics-myth-people-tell-tourists-the-stories-they-think-are-interesting-for-them