http://www.erowid.org/library/review Reviews of books, articles, and movies Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:10:06 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 Originally written in Portuguese—the language in which the majority of writings about ayahuasca religions have appeared—the book’s release in an English-language edition offers a reference guide that promises to stimulate further dialogue between people working with ayahuasca in ritual settings, and those from the scientific world. [ read more ] http://www.erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=287 An excellent resource for those interested in indoor and outdoor psychoactive mushroom cultivation; it appears to be the most elaborate and thorough text on the subject since Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide, written by Oss and Oeric. [...] complements the methods described by Oss and Oeric, and includes overviews on ... http://www.erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=282 Ball has definitely covered previously unwritten ground in his discussion of Salvia divinorum. This is a significant contribution, which helps flesh out Terence McKenna's oft-repeated urgings for us all to "map out hyperspace." With all the easy talk of entheogenic shamanism this past decade or so, Ball steps up to ... http://www.erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=279 The author wisely chose to focus Peopled Darkness entirely on his own first-person experiences with the plant, and the philosophical questions that those experiences raised. While many people try any given drug once or twice, and can write up spectacular trip reports or even hit the lecture circuit as "experts," ... http://www.erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=280 The novice and experienced alike will be wowed by Leary's articulation of the mental and physical sensations of his drug trips. A good collection of writings for anyone with even a fleeting interest in Leary or psychedelics. The majority of writings from the 1960s are presented within the context of ... http://www.erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=278 The quality of the art in Metamorphosis is absolutely breathtaking. Herein you will not find any fractal, computer, or totally abstract art; what binds this collection together is an emphasis on a classic approach. The editors have struck an excellent balance between light and dark themes, as well as drawing ... http://www.erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=277 Mark Plotkin, who now runs an Amazonian preservation organization, delivers a fascinating story about his travels to the jungles of South America in search of medicinal plants. ...So elegantly detailed and well-written that even 16 years after its initial publication, it is still a must-read for anyone remotely interested ... http://www.erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=276 Exploring this book is a delight, with jewel-like bursts of color surprising the viewer down every passageway and excavated chamber. Like ineffable experiences of the Godhead, so too the impact of the art and architecture that make up the Temples of Humankind can not be adequately expressed in the words ... http://www.erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=275 [A]n exhaustive overview detailing the botany, geography, history, mythology, archeology, chemistry, and pharmacology of this widely used entheogen. ...The book is considerably enhanced by 59 high quality black & white plates, 41 of which contain photographs. Many of the remaining plates are attractive pen-and-ink drawings by Donna Torres. ...All in ... http://www.erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=273 Free of any political or medical pretense, Siegel deftly covers the past, present and future of drugs. Moreover, he rarely reveals his roots in academia by drowning the reader with overwrought or technical language. His anecdotes are insightful, if occasionally suspicious, but help make Intoxication a snappy and informative read. ... http://www.erowid.org/library/review/review.php?p=274