A short booklet (published on-demand) reminiscent of daily meditation books. Includes grouped concepts and quotes under headings such as “Knowledge and Truth”, “Wholeness” or “Epiphany”. For those who enjoy interesting thoughts to ponder about the nature of being human, whether sober, in meditation, or in other altered states. [ read more ]
Covers most of the mainstream recreational drugs with a 2-4 page summary for each. On the more accurate side for books of this type, though a number of errors can still be found. The tone is relatively neutral, avoiding the hyperbole of more anti-drug authors. A little uninspiring, with little new information for anyone knowledgeable in the field, but in ... [ read more ]
A short and concise summary of information about mezcal. Includes some nice photos, a brief history of mezcal, modern cultural ties, production information, and recipes. [ read more ]
A fun collection of trip reports, weighted heavily towards the silly and absurd rather than the serious. The generally 1-2 page stories are organized by substance (mostly psychedelics) and provide a sense of the experiences to be had with psychoactives. [ read more ]
A surprisingly nice attempt at integrating psychedelic concepts into a sci-fi/fantasy novel. Wisman alternates between telling the story of Eden, and occasionally breaking out to write about his own use of “a powerful chemical substance”. He never names this psychedelic material, but describes his frequent work with it and the thoughts and philosophical meanderings he experienced while under its effects, ... [ read more ]
The Marijuana Question purports to be a summary of what “scientists” have found about the health risks of marijuana. Unfortunately their biases get in the way of scientific neutrality. The book is well-written and well-documented, but presents a very one-sided argument in which the conclusions are foregone. Research which supports their conclusion is lauded and made to look definitive while ... [ read more ]
A nice look at the field of ethnobotany during the early 1960s. Kreig describes the histories of a variety of plants with medicinal or psychoactive properties as well as interviews with ethnobotanists such as Richard Evans Schultes. Green Medicine also includes a nice series of photos of Schultes, R. Gordon Wasson, Roger Heim and others involved in the field. Good ... [ read more ]
It can be difficult to find information about human research with toxic solvents. Solvent neurotoxicity provides a good overview of both human and animal research for a series of solvents including toluene, sylene, styrene, and trichloroethylene. Includes great reference lists. [ read more ]
Interesting format of short quotes (1/2 – 1 page each) by different authors. Blurbs are grouped by topic, providing a variety of views, thoughts, and short experiences about an individual (Leary), a group (the Grateful Dead), a substance (LSD) etc. [ read more ]
Hideous Absinthe offers a nicely balanced look at the history, facts, and mythos of absinthe. Adams offers reader an in-depth look at the role absinthe has played in artistic culture (especially that of the 19th century), and succeeds in doing this without taking sides. Among other issues, Adams attempts to clarify what level of influence absinthe had upon artists such ... [ read more ]