An interesting historical account of the use of “narcotic” drugs in the 19th century. There seems to be a lot of interesting tidbits in this book, though I found it a bit confusing to navigate. Much of its appeal lies in seeing through the eyes of a knowledgeable contemporary scientist. The Seven Sisters of Sleep is an intriguing curiosity rather than a sound reliable resource. [ read more ]
A historical pharmacotheon. This 1920’s look at the major mind altering substances is well-organized and full of interesting information. Like The Seven Sisters of Sleep, this is more of a historical curiosity than a reference book…but none-the-less this cultural perspective is worth a read. [ read more ]
This is a cute little pamphlet/book that lists good stuff about hemp. They’ve included everything from the more common “saving the forest”, “sustainability, and “the hempmobile” to the less common “hemp hummus” and “tantra” uses. You’re not going to convince anyone of anything with this book, but it’s definitely a fun look at the hemp issue. [ read more ]
The Great Book of Hemp takes a fun, interesting look at the uses of hemp. It includes information on hemp’s history around the world, medicinal uses, spiritual uses, and the controversy surrounding it’s prohibition. It is heavily footnoted, well illustrated and includes more hemp facts and trivia than I’ve seen gathered anywhere else. Its only drawback is that the fun ... [ read more ]
An extremely interesting topic from a one-sided viewpoint. Zaehner’s use of derogatory phrases such as “apostles of the psychedelic cult” and “propagandists of psychedelic religion” to describe anyone who is interested in the possibility that entheogens could produce a mystical state…is a good example of his position. His tone is sometimes quite mocking and he seems entrenched in traditional religious ... [ read more ]
This classic book, written by Terence McKenna under a penname, has short succinct sections on Locating and Identifying Mushrooms, Collecting Spores, and Home Growing and Harvesting Instructions. Many good photos of the entire process. Revised and rereleased in 1986. [ read more ]
This is one dense book. Information on the botany, ethnobotany, physiology, ethnology, history, and ritual use of peyote among various native tribes. Contains a large bibliography of books, papers and studies on peyote from the 1930s to the present. This is definitely not a quick read…but a very good resource/reference book.
CSP Entheogen Chrestomathy Entry
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This well known guide to growing poppies and extracting opium presents useful information in a format and style accessible to just about everyone. I’m disappointed that there’s no footnotes or references, though there is a brief bibliography. Useful as a basic source of information about opium and poppies, but doesn’t go into great depth in any particular area. [ read more ]
A good book for helping answer those persistent myths and misunderstandings about marijuana. The book is organized into chapters each based on a particular myth. Various forms of the myth at the beginning of the chapter are answered by a quick answer and then the rest of the chapter is devoted to providing explanations, evidence, references, technical data and charts ... [ read more ]
Dense. A lot of information packed into this one. A bit more one sided than I’d like to see from a book of this type…for example it claims that no physical withdrawal symptoms exist for marihuana. Last revised in 1977, but otherwise it’s an extremely well researched, well referenced, informative book. Not a quick read.
CSP Entheogen Chrestomathy Entry
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