Shroom: A Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom

Written by Andy Letcher this 300 page volume looks at hallucinogenic mushrooms from all angles and it covers them all pretty thoroughly, published first in 2007 it must be among the most recent of the authoritative books to come out on this subject which seems to be growing in popularity.

He divides the book into three chapters. The first chapter delves into shamanism around the world and focuses on the examples which use hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms in particular. The use of shrooms as intoxicant in ancient and modern contexts, their function in feasts and festivals, some of the examples in literature where they are a device or an influence, their use in modern times as an aid in divining the causes of illness which finally brought them to the broader attention of today's youth via research into a Mexican 'curandero'.

Secondly the book focuses on Amanita Muscaria, taking in the legendary Soma of the Vedas, more about shamans male and female, a review of some writings where 'shrooms have played a central part in conspiracy tales, then an overview of its modern role as a popular hallucinogenic. In this part he examines the theories of the role shrooms have played in the genesis of religion.

The third chapter does something similar for the Psilocybe mushrooms, why they are the preferred variety in the modern context, the problems associated with legal attempts to control and stem their proliferation through growing, selling and publicly using them. Throughout all these 'Shrooms' is liberally sprinkled with salient verse, extracts and references to the literature both scientific and popular finally getting to what every shroom enthusiast really craves.

His sternest critics are those who support a theory or view that Letcher has looked at in an unfavourable light and in this area there are a few, particularly its perceived importance in the genesis of religion.

Not a lengthy book but very rich in information, ideas, references, and more than a little insight, it took me a long time to read this book but I enjoyed nearly every bit and can't remember the bits I didn't, they were negligible. A more complete review can be found at http://www.amazon.com/Shroom-Cultural-History-Magic-Mushroom/product-rev...