Andy Letcher, Shroom: A Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom
Journal for the Study of Religion Nature and Culture January 25, 2008 DOI: 10.1558/jsrnc.v1i3.402 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA cultural history of the magic mushroom traces its use and significance across different societies and time periods, from prehistoric rock art to modern psychedelic movements. The book examines how the mushroom has been intertwined with religious, spiritual, and recreational practices, and how its perception has shifted in response to scientific, legal, and social changes.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Magic telescope Art history Media studies Sociology Astrophysics |
| Key finding | Argues that the belief in a continuous ancient mushroom cult is a modern myth constructed by amateur ethnomycologists and popularized in the 1960s counterculture. |
Abstract
Andy Letcher, Shroom: A Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom (New York: Ecco, 2007), 384 pp. Pbk. $25.95, ISBN 0-06-082828-5.