Introduction to soc.religion.shamanism — A source-critical introduction to the Good Works Library shelf for the moderated Usenet newsgroup soc.religion.shamanism: Dean Edwards' General Overview FAQ, shamanism as a contested scholarly category, 1990s internet reference culture, source decay, and the difference between a formal reference room and a living practitioner forum.
Shamanism — General Overview FAQ — The canonical academic FAQ on shamanism: Mircea Eliade's definition, the three types of ecstasy, becoming a shaman, the role of trauma, shamanic trance states (Joseph Bearwalker Wilson), and an extensive tradition-by-tradition bibliography. Written by Dean Edwards, 1993–1996; maintained by Doug Freyburger.