Paddy Compass diagnosed illness by X-ray vision, brought willy willys into existence and dead animals back to life. He foresaw the future, provided confident assurance in turbulent times, and gave men purpose. --Emeritus Professor Nicholas Peterson, ANU Old Paddy's visions of the future foretold major events that were astonishing in the 1950s: Aborigines would get paid for their work, would own land and cars, and that money issues would bring division. All of his predictions came true. A rare insight into the world of the Dreaming, this book is unique and essential reading. --Susan Greenwood, University of Sussex This powerful and sensitive portrait of Paddy Compass Namadbara, a West Arnhem Land marrkidjbu, or clever man, deserves a place among the classic works on shamanism. --Paul Nadasdy Professor of Anthropology and American Indian and Indigenous Studies, Cornell University