This is a delightful collection of fairy tales and myths containing shamanistic themes such as shapeshifting, helper animals and spirits, traveling to the under and upper worlds, creation of certain elements of the earth and the shaman tradition, initiation (death and rebirth), and healing the sick. Most of the stories come from the Siberian tradition, but there are several from Europe, North and South America, and Japan.
Nauwald gives background into shamanism and often includes information about the people who originated the fairy tale or myth.