Snake Charmer: A Life and Death in Pursuit of Knowledge

In the narrative tradition of Into the Wild and The Perfect Storm, an acclaimed journalist tells the dramatic story of the life and death of modern adventurer Joe Slowinski, the young, charismatic world expert on poisonous snakes. Author Jamie James brings to life young Joe's childhood empathiy with snakes, his university career, and his final trek into the wilderness.

On Slowinski's last major expedition deep into the wild, there were plenty of his two favorite things: snakes and alcohol. What was in short supply, or non-existent, were appropriate medications, an evacuation plan, a two-way radio, and common sense. On September 11th, 2001, Dr. Joe Slowinski was bitten by a krait, one of the most poisonous snakes in the world. His colleagues kept him alive for 26 hours with mouth-to-mouth respiration, waiting for medical help that would never come.