An intimate tour of the classical hashish production centers of a world gone by..revealing traditional cultivation methods, modes of preparation, the risks and skills of smuggling fine sweet hashish in the days before the airplane.

This volume features oodles of vintage photographs and engravings, detailed maps and choice excerpts from many obscure antique journals and rarely circulated scientific papers.

Ample attention is given to spiritual, chemical, political and economic aspects of the savoury resins of the cannabis bush--both benefits and damages.

What role did hashish play in ancient societies? How did it rise/sink from a magical healing herb used by doctors, magicians and priests to the various degrees of social recreation..both pleasure and abuse? How will it affect workers in the machine age? What next?