Psychedelic Press UK
Literary Reviews: 1971-2000
Literary Review: ‘The Religion of Ayahuasca’ by Alex Polari De Alverga
Originally published in 1999 under the title ‘Forest of Visions: Ayahuasca, Amazonian spirituality, and the Santo Daime Tradition’; this edition, published under the new title ‘The Religion of Ayahuasca – The Teachings of the Church of Santo Daime’, came out in 2010. The author, Alex Polari De Alverga, tells the story of his own experiences … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘Blue Tide’ by Mike Jay
Originally published in 1999 ‘Blue Tide – The Search for Soma’ by Mike Jay is the story of the author’s search for the potentially psychedelic plant soma. In attempting to unravel its mysteries, Jay is tackling, what is felt by many, as one of the most important, unanswered historical questions in psychedelic studies. A blend … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘Emperors of Dreams’ by Mike Jay
Originally published in 2000 ‘Emperors of Dreams – Drugs in the Nineteenth Century’ by Mike Jay is an extraordinary examination of the proliferation of various drugs during an enlightenment fuelled Victorian age. Drawing on meticulous research, the book manages to combine elements of scientific, medical, literary and social history, in a manner befitting such a … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘On Hashish’ by Walter Benjamin
‘On Hashish’ is a selection of protocols and various writings on intoxication by Walter Benjamin. They are based on experiments that took place between 1927-1934 in Berlin, Marseille and Ibiza. Many were conducted in group conditions, which included individuals like Ernst Bloch and Jean Selz. Although Benjamin had planned a great drug-related work during his … Continue reading
The Archaeology of Ecstacy: A Review of Paul Devereux’s ‘The Long Trip’ by David Luke
This literary review was written by, and is reproduced here with the expressed permission of, Dr. David Luke. It originally appeared as: Luke, D. (2010). The archaeology of ecstasy: Review of ‘The long trip’. Network Review: Journal of the Scientific and Medical Network, 102, 58-59. The Long Trip: A Prehistory of Psychedelia (2nd edition)– Paul Devereux … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘Storming Heaven’ by Jay Stevens
Originally published in 1987 ‘Storming Heaven – LSD and the American Dream’ by Jay Stevens is one of a number of heavyweight histories of LSD and American culture. The narrative non-fiction format makes the text very entertaining and, whilst not stinting on the details, it provides the reader with a simple and accessible presentation of … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘PiHKAL’ By Alexander & Ann Shulgin
Originally published in 1991 ‘PiHKAL –A Chemical Love Story’ by Alexander and Ann Shulgin is one of the finest examples of psychedelic literature to have graced the printers. A combination of science, romance, insight, history and travel; of trip reports, biography, friendship and culture. The book is an exemplary blend of both authority and personality … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘The Road to Eleusis’ by Wasson, Hofmann & Ruck
Originally published in 1978 ‘The Road to Eleusis – Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries,’ by R. Gordon Wasson, Albert Hofmann and Carl A. P. Ruck, was only reprinted as a paperback in English for the first time in 2008, for its thirtieth anniversary edition. The work of an amateur mycologist, a chemist and a … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘Tripping’ Edit. Charles Hayes
Originally published in 2000 ‘Tripping: An anthology of true-life psychedelic adventures’ is a selection of personal accounts, collected and edited by Charles Hayes, of the psychedelic experience. It also includes an extensive interview with Terence McKenna, visionary art from Alex Grey and a extended bibliography and resource list. Tripping is, without doubt, one of the … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘Wildest Dreams’ Edit. Richard Rudgley
Originally published in 1999, compiled and edited by Richard Rudgley, ‘Wildest Dreams – An anthology of drug-related literature’ is nothing if not comprehensive. Ranging from the second to the twentieth century A.D. ‘Wildest Dreams’ is a grand tour of the human relationship with drugs, through the medium of literature. Rudgley, born in Hampshire in 1961, … Continue reading
