Who is Harner from The Way of the Shaman and what is their importance?

Michael Harner is an anthropologist and expert in shamanic cultures. He academically investigates the concepts of shamanism, and personally immerses himself in shamanic cultures in North America, South America, and Mexico. Through living with the Jivaro Conibo and other tribes, Harner gains first-hand knowledge of practices that are similar among shamans, and nuances that separate shamanic practices. As a scholar practitioner, Harner faithfully reports his academic and practical research findings while making the information accessible to Western audiences.