Soma : The Divine Hallucinogen

Soma : The Divine Hallucinogen

Editorial Reviews
American Herb Association, Vol 16:4
This book comes highly recommended by Dr. Willard Johnson-my college professor of religious studies-and I second the vote.

Review

Peter T. Furst, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Author of Flesh of the Gods: The Ritual use of Hallucinogens; Hallucinogens & Culture; and People of the Peyote: Huichol Indian History & Religion

"In this meticulously researched, always scholarly but eminently readable study of Soma, the "elixir of immortality" and enlightenment of ancient India, David Spess takes us on a fascinating intellectual and spiritual journey way beyond Wasson's narrowly focused case for Amanita muscaria, the inebriating fly agaric mushroom of ecstatic Siberian shamanism. In a book thankfully free of both scientific and New Age jargon Spess presents convincing evidence that Soma's devotees knew of many different kinds and even colors of soma drinks with different associations and purposes, so that soma botany and taxonomy cannot be reduced to a single sacred plant species. A valuable contribution to both historical ethnobotany and comparative religion----and a good read."

"This fascinating tour de force of impeccable scholarship, written with enviable elan, succeeds brilliantly in disclosing the elusive identity of the soma plants of India and their impact on the cultural history of China, Europe and the Near East.  Provocative, intriguing, and sure to generate scholarly debate, this seminal work is absolutely essential for anyone interested in soma and hallucinogenic plants."

"Soma brilliantly completes the enquiry on the scientific and botanical aspects, as well as the anthropological and cultural development, of this very important subject. A magnificent book destined to become a classic."