The Literature of Psychedelics

NEW BOOKS

Timothy Leary Outside Looking In
Great book of essays honoring Leary's life. Notable contributors include Ram Dass, Ralph Metzner, Terence McKenna, Albert Hofmann, Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, Ken Kesey, Owsley Stanley, Winona Ryder, Andrew Weil, Allen Ginsberg, John Perry Barlow, Frank Barron, Paul Krassner, Huston Smith, Jeremy Tarcher; over 40 in all. Excellent! Robert Forte 1999; Inner Traditions 0-89281-786-0, 348 page paperback, $16.95.

Ayahuasca
Hallucinogens, Consciousness, and the Spirit of Nature
This excellent ayahuasca book combines wise background, commentary, and editing by Ralph Metzner; 24 first-person accounts of shamanic and religious use by a variety of people and cultures; and scientific essays by experts Dennis McKenna, Charles Grob, and Jace Callaway. Highly recommended! Ralph Metzner (editor) 1999; Thunder's Mouth (PGW) 1-56025-160-3, 302 page paperback, $13.95.

Forest of Visions
Ayahuasca, Amazon Spirituality, and the Santo Daime
New book by elder of the Brazilian Santo Daime ayahuasca church. Includes both his extraordinary personal story of spiritual quest, and that of the church, its psychoactive sacraments and ecologically sustainable jungle community. Also combines both an extensive treatment of the beliefs and worldview of the Church with a readable and interesting account of personal and organizational growth. Notes and glossary. Alex Polari De Alverga 1999; Inner Traditions 0-89281-716-X, 288 page paperback, $14.95.

The Violet Forest
Shamanic Journeys in the Amazon
Story of a five year journey through South America, and the inner journey to find a spiritual and healing focus. Includes some experiences with ayahuasca and San Pedro, as well as other paths such as hummingbird medicine. Also describes aspects of the "wounded healer," and overcoming the temptation of a man of power to seduce women and instead heal the separation from the Great Mother. Interesting. Foster Perry 1998; Bear & Company (Ingram) 1-879181-43-6, 223 page paperback, $13.95.

Ploughing the Clouds
The Search for Irish Soma
Did the Celtic Indo-Europeans also use Soma, the ancient entheogen of the Rig Veda? Certain Celtic myths and folklore suggest the connection, and perhaps the use of Amanita or Psilocybe mushrooms for shamanic purposes. Readable academic analysis, with related illustrations. Bibliography and index. Peter Lamborn Wilson 1999; City Lights (Homestead) 0-87286-326-3, 158 page paperback, $14.95.

Twilight of the Clockwork God
Conversations on Science and Spirituality at the End of an Age
The old rift between rigid scientific and religious views of the cosmos is closing, as both science and spirit find common ground, says the author. He supports this view with interviews of eight scientists and philosophers, including our friends Terence McKenna and Stan Grof on the value of the psychedelic tools, along with Ralph Abraham, Rupert Sheldrake, Deepak Chopra, Lynn Margulis. Notes, index. John David Ebert 1999; Council Oak (Ingram) 1-57178-079-3, 222 page hardback, $22.95.

Peyote Religious Art
Symbols of Faith and Belief
Good introduction to peyote, Native American use, and the Native American Church. Begins with chapter on ceremony, especially ritual feather fans, rattles, attire, and other artifacts. Moves to artistic motifs and early religious art. Ends with modern Native artists inspired by the experience. Many photos, often in color. Bibliography and index. Well done. Daniel C. Swan 1999; University Press of Mississippi (Ingram) 1-57806-096-6, 128 page hardback, $34.95.

A Brief History of Drugs
From the Stone Age to the Stoned Age
Story of psychoactive materials: pre-history, Greek, Roman, witchcraft, new world plants, start of real medicine; then modern history: prohibition, new drugs, the psychedelic revolution, the drug war, and the present situation. Insightful translation by Ken Symington. Index. Antonio Escohotado 1996/1999; Inner Traditions 0-89281-826-3, 176 page paperback, $12.95.

Encyclopaedia of Psychoactive Substances
From Aconite to Zombi drug, common and obscure plants and chemicals that make people high, with their cultural uses and significance. Cross-references, some illustrations, bibliography, and index. Very useful reference work. Richard Rudgley 1998; St. Martin's (Homestead) 0-312-19868-X; 319 page hardback, $25.95.

Salvia Divinorum and Salvinorin A
The Best of The Entheogen Review 1992-1998
Includes every entry from the Review about this interesting plant and its pure compound, with many trip reports, growing and processing tips, and speculation as to its essential nature and uses. Fresh commentary from the present, lists of known Internet web sites, sources for live plants and preparations, annotated bibliography, and complete index. Valuable resource for Salvia researchers and psychonauts. 1999; The Entheogen Review, 217 page large paperback, $19.95.

NEW EDITIONS

The Road to Eleusis Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries
For almost two thousand years, any Greek citizen could, once in a lifetime, learn the awesome Mystery of Eleusis in a secret, all-night ritual. This book suggests a water extract of two lysergic acid compounds from ergot fungus brought forth an entheogenic experience which may have stimulated the birth of Western culture. This updated edition includes new material by Albert Hofmann, Carl Ruck, and Huston Smith. R. Gordon Wasson, Carl Ruck, & Albert Hofmann 1978 (1999 edition); William Daily Rare Books 0-915148- 20-X, 150 page fine hardback, $49.95.

Moksha
Aldous Huxley's Classic Writings on Psychedelics and the Visionary Experience
Great collection of essays and letters by Huxley, about his early use of LSD and mescaline, and how they affected his life and philosophy. Alexander Shulgin, Humphry Osmond, and Albert Hofmann also contribute. Source notes and index. Michael Horowitz & Cynthia Palmer (editors) 1977 (1999 edition); Inner Traditions 0-89281-758-5, 300 page paperback, $14.95.

The Walls of Illusion
A Psychedelic Retro
Essays on psychedelic culture from the '60s: beats Cassady, Kerouac, Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti, Corso, Burroughs; later essays by Leary, Watts, Craddock, Weil; writers Paul Bowles, Henri Michaux, Terry Southern, Alexander Trocchi, Brion Gysin, Richard Brautigan; and famous folk John Lennon, Hunter S. Thompson, Jerry Garcia and Aldous Huxley. (Reprint of The Hashish Club, Volume 2). Peter Haining (editor) 1975 (1998 edition); Souvenir (Homestead) 0-285-63414-3, 223 page paperback, $14.95.

Mindscapes
An Anthology of Drug Writings
Older but interesting essays by famous people. Section on ayahuasca, peyote, and psilocybin, with writings by Artaud, Burroughs, Wasson, Harner, Castaneda, and Terence McKenna. Another on mescaline and LSD features Huxley, Michaux, Nin, Leary, and others. Also has sections on nitrous oxide and hashish. Altered state experiences are hard to describe; these articulate writers help us understand them. Antonio Melechi (editor) 1998; Mono 0-9532444-0-7, 251 page paperback, $17.95.

The Little Book of Acid
Finally, a short, simple beginner's guide to tripping, LSD, and LSA. First it introduces LSD and the tripping experience, both the good elements and how to avoid and handle "bummers" or bad trips. Then it describes LSD distribution, forms (blotter, liquid, etc.), and terminology. Finally, it covers the preparation and use of certain morning glories which contain the related compound LSA. Cam Cloud 1999; Ronin Publishing 0-914171- 88-7, 98 page paperback, $12.95.

Amazing Dope Tales
(formerly Haight Ashbury Flashbacks)
Tripping during the Summer of Love. Insights, mind games, and right-on truths from psychedelics. Also acid aphorisms, hundred button tea, and tales of the tribe. Fun- reading story and Sixties history. Stephen later became a spiritual teacher and community leader. Stephen Gaskin 1980 (1999 edition); Ronin Publishing 1-57951-010-8, 154 page paperback, $12.95.

Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out
New edition of chapters 12 to 22 of Politics of Ecstasy. Includes chapters Start Your Own Religion, Soul Session, Mad Virgin of Psychedelia, Molecular Revolution. Timothy Leary 1968 (1999 edition); Ronin Publishing 1-57951-009-4, 157 page paperback, $14.95.

Altered State
The Story of Ecstasy Culture and Acid House
MDMA and fast dancing have a natural affinity. Though it started with the New York and Texas club scene, both the scene and the book soon shift to England and the house/trance rave experience. Many true stories of chemists and DJ's, clubs and parties of the largest youth movement in British history. Notes and index. Matthew Collin 1998 (2nd edition); Serpent's Tail (Consortium) 1-85242-604-7, 329 page paperback, $11.95.

new periodicals
TRP: The Resonance Project, 4
Medical marijuana, MDMA neurotoxicity, psychedelic PR, dharma of ibogaine, Burning Man, mimosahuasca, interviews with Rick Strassman, Terence McKenna, Alexander Shulgin, and David Aardvark of the Entheogen Review. James Kent (editor) 1999; Resonant Media, $4.95.

Where to get these books
All books may be ordered from Mind Books, the author's company; of course many are available from other good sources. To contact Mind Books, call: 800-829-8127 or 707-829-8127, fax: 707-829-8100, E-mail: books@promind.com Web site: www.promind.com or write: Mind Books, 321 S Main St, #543, Sebastopol, CA 95472.