Excelent book
This is a very good book, with a new view in the pre-historic mind. The art is studied based in the wiring of human mind and with emphasis in altered ststes of consciouness.

Worth the Read
While I wouldn't describe this book as enthralling, it's definitely one of the most enlightening works I've read in awhile. Approaching the evolution of the human mind from the standpoint of consciousness (as opposed to intelligence) hadn't occurred to me, nor had the dependence of neolithic rock art on 'shamanism' or mind-altering states, nor the implication of a class distinction based on one's ability to make (or even understand) this art. Although this book can be quite cynical, it has definitely enlarged the way I think about both art and humanity.

Prehistoric art - who made it and why?
I came to read this fascinating book through my interest in art history rather than anthropology or archaeology, as I wanted to know how such technically dextrous images came to be created 45,000 to 35,000 years ago. Lewis-Williams book is eminently readable for the layman - no specialist knowledge is needed to understand, enjoy and appreciate the history and research that the author meticulously unfolds in order to 'solve' the mysteries of these extraordinary cave paintings. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in art, psychology, anthropology, archaeology, history and even neurology - it is an eye-opener. Enjoy!

Too long and sheepish
This book is too long for it's main thesis which is a seemingly reluctant conclusion that Upper Paleolithic cave art may have been caused by altered states of consciousness. The author spends the first third of the book agonizingly slowly talking about research persons and facts that have gone into this subject. Then, almost sheepishly, near the middle of the book the author says that some cave art may be hallucinogenically induced. When you read that section you will be surpised because you know the author has been trying to get there like a child looking over his shoulder to see when he can dash to the cookie jar. For this lack of courage alone the book is not worth your time. After the cat is out of the bag the author still leans upon banal scientific understanding which dillutes his credibility within the subject of Shamanism.

From the beginning of the book he clings to the scientific view that consciousness is a byproduct of neurological function. He also makes a great many mistakes within the scientific method by claiming that Neanderthals could not possibly have had similar consciousness to us. Where is the cadaver, or better yet, living subject to test and have data to support such conclusions? The author believes that there is no credible evidence of intentional Neanderthal burials when this subject is absolutely in deep contention within the community. In much of the rest of the book there are associations made between common neurological visual phenomena taken to be, in most cases, the sources of Upper Paleolithic cave art.

If you want any idea of what shaman-artists in the Upper Paleolithic were doing stay away from this book. If you have an open mind then check out Terence McKenna and The Archaic Revival. Terence made it clear that the physical brain is a transceiver for higher dimensions and that consciousness is a product of this complete body/spirit interaction. For a more up to date view of this books subject take a look at Supernatural: Meetings with the Ancient Teachers of Mankind by Graham Hancock.

Do you mind?
This book disappointed me. It was written by the world famous rock art expert Dr. David Lewis-Williams, therefore I had great expectations for it as I myself am an inspiring rock art expert and hope to study at Lewis-Williams' former university in Johannesburg.

The main problem that I had with this book is Lewis-Williams' "search" for the beginnings of the mind. He wonders where the mind, consensus, and the ability to experience altered-states came from. He tries to figure out, how the brain evolved to give "modern man" the ability to experience these phenomenon. He says, that Neanderthals lacked this and this may have been one of the reasons why they did not survive. He says that only "modern people" are able to do this. But, how does he know? Why couldn't have Neanderthals have joined the Cro-Magnon man in painting the pictures on the cave walls.

He spends too much of the book trying to figure out how the mind evolved he wastes time and space that could be used to discuss his interesting but controversial neuropsychological method. He does still have a good discussion on this topic nonetheless. Besides, who knows if his hypothesis of shamanism depicted in rock art is even correct? Perhaps, if Lewis-Williams would believe that man was created Man with a mind and the ability to experience altered states of consensus from the beginning, maybe he could develop more time to his study of the actual rock art.

The pictures in the book, however, are very good.

For a good introductory rock art book read David Whitley's "Introduction to Rock Art". For a discussion of creationism that doesn't limit the creation of the universe to a few thousand years (one of the reasons many scientists reject Creationism) see "The Age of the Universe: What are the Biblical Limits?" By Gorman Gray.