Food of the Gods - the search for the original tree of know- ledge : a radical history of plants, drugs and human evolution

An exploration of humans' symbiotic relationships with plants and chemicals presents information on prehistoric partnership societies, the roles of spices and spirits in the rise of dominator societies; and the politics of tobacco, tea, coffee, opium, and alcohol. Why, as a species, are humans so fascinated by altered states of consciousness? Can altered states reveal something to us about our origins and our place in nature? In Food of the Gods, ethnobotanist Terence McKenna’s research on man’s ancient relationship with chemicals opens a doorway to the divine, and perhaps a solution for saving our troubled world. McKenna provides a revisionist look at the historical role of drugs in the East and the West, from ancient spice, sugar, and rum trades to marijuana, cocaine, synthetics, and even television—illustrating the human desire for the “food of the gods” and the powerful potential to replace abuse of illegal drugs with a shamanic understanding, insistence on community, reverence for nature, and increased self-awareness. Praise for Food of the Gods “Deserves to be the modern classic on mind-altering drugs and hallucinogens.”—The Washington Post “Terence McKenna is the most important—and most entertaining—visionary scholar in America.”—Tom Robbins “The culture’s foremost spokesperson for the psychedelic experience . . . Those who know and enjoy Joseph Campbell’s work will almost certainly appreciate McKenna.”—L.A. Weekly “An eloquent proposal for recovering something vital—a sense of the sacred, the transcendent, the Absolute—before it’s too late.”—Larry Dossey, M.D., author of Meaning & Medicine, Recovering the Soul, and Space, Time & Machine Shamanism: setting the stage The magic in food The search for the original tree of knowledge Plants and primates: postcards from the stoned age Habit as culture and religion The high plains of eden Searching for Soma: the golden vedic enigma Twilight in Eden: Minoan Crete and the Eleusinian mystery Alcohol and the alchemy of spirit The ballad of the dreaming weavers: cannabis and culture Complacencies of the peignois: sugar, coffee, tea, and chocolate Smoke gets in your eyes: opium and tobacco Synthetics: heroin, cocaine, and television A brief history of psychedelics Anticipating the archaic paradise. For the first time in trade paperback, the critically acclaimed counterculture manifesto by the wildly popular McKenna. "Deserves to be a modern classic on mind-altering drugs and hallucinogens."--The Washington Post. Photos and illustrations. "Terrence McKenna's research on man's ancient relationship with chemicals opens a doorway to the devine, and perhaps a solution for saving our troubled world"--Back cover A Radical History of Plants, Drugs & Human Evolution For the first time in paperback, the counterculture manifesto on mind-altering drugs & hallucinogens. Illustrated.