This is the story of Benedict Allen's extraordinary quest to immerse himself in the heart of New Guinea, and learn the secrets of the people's harmonious communion with the forest. Living among missionaries in West Papua, he heard talk of the mysterious Obini, and set out on an arduous journey to meet them - only to find himself fleeing for his life in the jungle. Undeterred, he sought out members of a tribal crocodile cult who would permit him to take part in their traditional initiation rites into manhood, and finally became the first white man to be honoured with this privilege. But this was the beginning of a punishing ordeal, as Allen joined his fellow initiates in seclusion for weeks, enduring crocodile markings being carved into their skins, until finally, pushed to the limits of endurance, they came to embody the ''crocodile spirit''.