Psychedelic Press UK
books
Literary Review: ‘Pleasures and Pains’ by Barry Milligan
‘Pleasures and Pains: Opium and the Orient in Nineteenth-Century British Culture’ (1995) by Barry Milligan utilises a multidisciplinary approach, including psychology, literary criticism, history and psychology, in order to examine the relationship between Britain and the Orient. Broadly speaking a work of cultural studies, the book concentrates on the trade of goods and ideas as … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘Why We Take Drugs’ by Tom Yardley
Originally published in 2012 ‘Why We Take Drugs: Seeking excess and communion in the modern world’ by Tom Yardley is a phenomenological analysis of intoxication. The book takes into account a number of theories to explain the descriptions of drug intoxication given to the author in a series of interviews with users. Yardley is currently … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘Too Much to Dream’ by Peter Bebergal
Originally published in 2011 ‘Too Much to Dream: A Psychedelic American Boyhood’ by Peter Bebergal is an autobiographical account of the author’s search for a higher spiritual meaning. Bebergal is the co-author of ‘The Faith Between Us’ and has written reviews and articles on culture, religion and science. Too Much to Dream: A Psychedelic American … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘Being Psilly’ by Samuel John Ross
Published in 2011, Samuel John Ross’ collection of poetry ‘Being Psilly – Illustrated Poems 1999-2005′ is a beautiful blend of playful language and illustration, which along with the type-face, was also created by the author. Aside from poetry, Ross also heads up fleshprism.com – a website for visionary art, psychedelic poetry and alike. The stories … Continue reading
Event: The Dictatorship of the Imaginal Realms – Lessons from psychedelic literature
A Talk by Robert Dickins: The Dictatorship of the Imaginal Realms – Lessons from Psychedelic Literature 14 March 2012. University of kent, Canterbury. 18:00 in Darwin Lecture Theatre 1 Click here to register your attendance During the 1950s and early 1960s there was a boom in psychiatric research with hallucinogens. This research led to the development … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘Mysticism Sacred and Profane’ by Robert Charles Zaehner
Originally published in 1957 ‘Mysticism Sacred and Profane – An Inquiry into some Varieties of Praeternatural Experience’ was written by Robert Charles Zaehner (1913-1974). The basis of the book is a refutation of Aldous Huxley’s claim that mescaline is able to produce a mystical experience in those who use the drug; set against a wider … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘Psychedelia Britannica’ by Antonio Melechi [ed.]
Originally published in 1997 ‘Psychedelia Britannica’ is a collection of essays dealing with the cultural history of psychedelics in Britain, edited by Antonio Melechi. The book looks at psychedelic drugs through the context of literature, music, psychiatry and the counterculture and includes a number of prominent individuals like Ronald Sandison and Alexander Trocchi, with a … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘Perilous Passage’ by Terry Wilson
Originally published in 2004 ‘Perilous Passage – The Nervous System and the Universe in Other Words’ by Terry Wilson is being republished in 2012. It describes the author’s apprenticeship under the tutelage of the avant-garde artist and writer Brion Gysin; along with a wonderful passage about Wilson’s experiences in South America with ayahuasca. The book is the … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘Drugtakers in an English Town’ by Martin A. Plant
Originally published in 1975 ‘Drugtakers in an English Town’ by Martin A. Plant is the result of the author’s PhD thesis, prepared for what was the Department of Social Administration and Social Work, at the University of Bristol. Martin Plant (1946-2010), 29 at the time of publication, went on to become a leading expert in … Continue reading
Literary Review: ‘On Drugs’ by David Lenson
Originally published in 1995 ‘On Drugs’ by David Lenson is a fascinating and enlightening pharmacography on the cultural reception of drugs from the point-of-view of the user. The author had previously published works that included ‘Achilles’ Choice’ (1975) and ‘The Birth of Tragedy: A Commentary’ (1987) and was Professor of Comparative Literature at the University … Continue reading
