"An important contribution to Amazonian ethnology, and a solid piece of anthropology."

"Clearly written and based on solid research, the book moves beyond polemical arguments to offer a bridge between those focused on environmental protection and those focused on indigenous rights. Tello's thorough analysis forces us to pay attention to the diversification of indigenous peoples' livelihoods and to the large-scale socioeconomic and historical processes shaping indigenous lives and environmental conditions. The book will advance community-based conservation efforts that can benefit both biodiversity and indigenous peoples."

"Rodolfo Tello tells the story of Wachiperi and their environmental relations as their lives have gone thru radical changes during the past fifty years - in clear and easily accessible prose - not couched in post-Modern anthropology jargon. Recommended for anyone who has opinions about how indigenous communities affect their environment and biodiversity."

"This book offers an interesting and much needed input into the debate about indigenous peoples' commitment to environmental conservation. It emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence and a holistic view, based on an understanding of their broader historic and socioeconomic situation, for moving away from preconceived and often stereotyped positions that have described indigenous people either as conservationists or as a threat to the conservation of biodiversity."