Anthropologists surmise that the Yanomamö are perhaps the last culture to come in contact with the modern world. Author Mike Dawson's hair-raising and humorous growing up adventures, from his birth in the jungle through the death of his wife, Renee, provide insights into this primitive culture. Dawson was the cultural advisor to the award-winning, full-length feature film, Yai Wanonabälewä The Enemy God (www.theenemygod.com), the true story of a Yanomamö leader recounting his life as a shaman and the supernatural struggle for the survival of his people. "...a bit of Huck Finn, with an Amazon twist." Simon Romero Andean Bureau Chief, The New York Times Imagine a white boy, in "the hood" of this jungle tribe, living, playing, and growing up Yanomamö. Christopher Bessette, Writer/Director of the feature film Yai Wanonabälewä The Enemy God ...a story of life with Stone-Age people, guaranteed to expand the mind of even the most experienced. Mark Andrew Ritchie, Author, Spirit of the Rainforest It is excellent, a great read and unique insight into a culture and upbringing that are cinematographic, to say the least. The descriptions of growing up with the Yanomamö remind me a bit of Huck Finn, with an Amazon twist. The story about hunting for tapir is wild it makes a deer hunt, or even an elk hunt, seem tame by comparison. --Simon Romero, Andean Bureau Chief, The New York Times Michael's sense of humor, wit, and caring come through the pages. It is like sitting down with a good friend who is ready to surprise you with a true story of an amazing adventure. Imagine a white boy, in "the hood" of this jungle tribe, living, playing, and growing up Yanomamö. --Christopher Bessette, Writer/Director of the feature film Yai Wanonabälewä: The Enemy God The beauty of fiction is that it allows the author to create characters that are uniquely designed to elicit the full range of human emotions. In nonfiction, only rarely does one find a range of characters we can not only admire, but best of all, root for, and even dream of a better world for their children. Such are the characters about whom Mike Dawson writes in Growing Up Yanomamö, a story of life with Stone-Age people, guaranteed to expand the mind of even the most experienced. Nothing demands a self-review like a trip through another time and culture. Dawson provides just this sort of trip in his special book. --Mark Andrew Ritchie, Author, Spirit of the Rainforest Michael Dawson was born in the middle of the Amazon jungle, the fifth child of 10, born to missionaries Joe and Mildred Dawson who settled their family in Coshilowateli. Here he has spent his life living and working amoun the native Yanomamö and continues to serve God with his wife, Keila, their three boys and two daughters.