Don't Sleep, There Are Snakes
Life and Language in the Amazonian Jungle
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group · Print & ebook · November 3, 2009
Part passionate memoir, part scientific exploration, a life-changing tale set among a small tribe of Amazonian Indians in Brazil that offers a riveting look into the nature of language, thought, and life itself.
We earn from qualifying purchases.
- Who it’s for
- A linguist’s Amazonian memoir opens big questions about language, culture, and faith.
- Themes
- Language and thought, Pirahã culture, Changing religious beliefs
- Genres
- Linguistics, How Cultures Work, Adventurers & Explorers
Nearest books
Matched by what the books are about, then ordered by what their readers also loved.
Becoming AnimalDavid Abram47% match
LanguageDaniel L. Everett68% match
Gods of the Upper AirCharles King45% matchShares How Cultures Work
The Apprentice TouristMário de Andrade58% match
LinguaphileJulie Sedivy56% matchShares Linguistics
The Spell of the SensuousDavid Abram55% match
The Power of BabelJohn McWhorter54% matchShares Linguistics
We Will Be JaguarsNemonte Nenquimo, Mitch Anderson53% match
For younger readers: Where Is the Amazon?, The Great Kapok Tree, The Shaman's Apprentice
Start with three books, and this one can be the first.
Members get a new edition every morning: a route out from their books to essays, research and talks, with the reason for each.
Start with this bookAbout this book
Part passionate memoir, part scientific exploration, a life-changing tale set among a small tribe of Amazonian Indians in Brazil that offers a riveting look into the nature of language, thought, and life itself. "Immensely interesting and deeply moving....
Continue reading
One of the best books I have read."—Lucy Dodwell, New Scientist A riveting account of the astonishing experiences and discoveries made by linguist Daniel Everett while he lived with the Pirahã, a small tribe of Amazonian Indians in central Brazil. Daniel Everett arrived among the Pirahã with his wife and three young children hoping to convert the tribe to Christianity. Everett quickly became obsessed with their language and its cultural and linguistic implications. The Pirahã have no counting system, no fixed terms for color, no concept of war, and no personal property. Everett was so impressed with their peaceful way of life that he eventually lost faith in the God he'd hoped to introduce to them, and instead devoted his life to the science of linguistics.
Language and Belief
A linguist’s Amazonian memoir opens big questions about language, culture, and faith.
Come here for
- A personal story intertwined with scientific curiosity
- Questions about how language shapes thought and life
Expect
- A close look at the Pirahã language and culture
- A change of faith alongside a turn toward linguistics
Where it sits
| Linguistics | 75% |
|---|---|
| Adventurers & Explorers | 60% |
| How Cultures Work | 59% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Linguistics
- Philosophy of Language
- How Cultures Work
- Authors
- Daniel L. Everett
- Publisher
- Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
- Published
- November 3, 2009
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Language and thought · Pirahã culture · Changing religious beliefs
- Reading lane
- Linguistics