The Long Trip: A Prehistory of Psychedelia

An independent specialist summarizes the archeological & anthropological understanding of the widespread use of hallucinogenic plants since earliest times. Devereux's interpretation of indirect archeological evidence of psychedelic use in ancient western Europe is often speculative, but it's an intriguing look at the kinds of clues cognitive archeologists use to reconstruct long-lost behavior. The brisk global tour of long-exploited psychoactive plants leaves no doubt of the intimate relation between these drugs & most cultures—a notable exception being our own. From early Eurasia (familiar red-capped fly agaric mushroom & legendary soma) to Africa (ibogaine & khat), thru the arcane traditions of Native Americans & the plant lore of witchcraft, natural hallucinogens have been an integral part of shamanic religions' belief in a higher plane. Constantly emphasizing the role of context in any psychedelic experience, he takes pains to show hallucinogens were usually strictly regulated aspects of a coherent culture's rites. Thus, while not proselytizing for indiscriminate use of psychedelics, he's keen to demonstrate what modern Western culture is missing out on in its underappreciation of this history as well as of expanded consciousness itself. Because of this underappreciation, much study has been performed outside of mainstream anthropology & archeology. As a consequence, while this book is a handy summary of this research, much information is sketchily documented, when it isn't outright unexplained assertion. His claims for the true insights afforded by psychedelics invite some skepticism also. But he shows that judgments would be better made in a climate of rational inquiry into basic human predilections for altered consciousness.-Kirkus (edited)