SLF Book Reviews

If there's any good books out there that we can reccomend that have relevance to Shrooms, the War on Drugs or any other relevant area of note that fits in with our philosophy or interests, then we'll put it here. So if you're looking for a good read, look no further.

the book cover for Shroom - A Cultural History by Andy Letcher

One of the most fascinating and controversial books arguably ever written on shrooms and their cultural history, covering historical evidence of our ancient shroom lineage, and examing the role of shrooms in our modern day cultural psyche - a must read. read more

the book cover for Beyond the War on Drugs by Steven Wisotsky

Beyond the War on Drugs offers powerful arguments to support the growing public opinion - now shared by politicians, judges, and leading intellectuals - that this war, as it is currently conceived, cannot be won, and ought not to be fought. Compelling stuff indeed. read more

the book cover for Ending the War on Drugs by Dirk Chase Eldredge

An insightful, and fact pact assessment of the War on Drugs, examing every aspect of it's incidious and destructive impact on our lives, legal system and foreign policy. An astonishing read.read more

the book cover for Sacred Mushrooms of Visions, edited by Ralph Metzner

A useful resource of data related to Psilocybin mushrooms, from analysis of their chemical composition, to stories of healing practices utilizing Psychoactive mushrooms by Indian Curandero's. This book covers a wide gamut of in depth, facts and ancedotal knowledge, on the magic mushroom, it's history, and it's future.read more

the book cover for Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World by Paul Stamets

This book has always had a massive following and respect by true shroomers ever since it was first published. It remains a fantastic, and authorative resource on these fascinating fungi, giving you are the information for you to be able to safely identify, virtually any kind of magic mushroom for yourself. Should be in every shroomer's armouryread more

small thumbnail image of the book Shroom - A Cultural History by Andy Letcher - a controversial shroom read

By G. Henry-Stogdon "Giles" (West Norwood) - (review borrowed off Amazon.com) An incisive, clear minded history of magic mushroom use right up to the present day. I devoured this book though it wasn't what I was expecting from the garish cover and new-age hippie sounding title. Letcher clearly loves his subject and has distilled a huge amount of research into this brilliant tome. If you thought there was no more to learn about magic mushrooms, then this book will throw up some real surprises. No bemushroomed philosophising here, just sound, rational application to the subject. A valuable addition to any mycological book collection. Oh yes, I forgot to say that Letcher writes really well too. An eloquent flowing style which is very funny in places... Made me laugh out loud.

SLF Comment: Ok, we couldn't bring ourselves to write a personal review on this book - it seems to have the whole shroom community split right down the middle - in fact more people seem against it then for it, often giving it vitriolic responses. Personally we think this book should be applauded - whatever one thinks of Letcher, he has put a lot of effort putting together a comprehensive analysis of shroom history from the research he has found - it would have taken a long time and dedication, which is something we can't help but admire. We also think he raises some important and interesting points which have to be considered. Anyway, anything that stirs up discussion and interest in shrooms is a good thing by us. Make your own mind up, and give the book a read.

small thumbnail image of the book Beyond the War on Drugs - an authoritive and fascinating insight into the depth of failing on the War on Drugs and it's cost to society

This provocative and controversial book rejects the popular pabulum of more laws, more money, more enforcement personnel, and more jails as the road to victory in the 'war on drugs'. Steven Wisotsky masterfully documents the failure of the drug war and the erroneous premise central to its destructive and doomed strategy: the idea that drug taking controls human behaviour; that drugs 'cause' physical dependency. We must move beyond the war on drugs by repudiating their obsessive preoccupation with controlling or prohibiting drugs. Instead, we must replace this mindset with a new view that acknowledges individual freedom and the power of directing our choices toward responsible human behaviour.

SLF Comment: This book blew my mind - heavy on stats, and heavy on facts, it paints an accurate and dramatic view on the depth of failing and harm the War on Drugs is doing to our societies, and the pervasive evil the black market prohibition causes to us all as a direct result, fueling, murder, corruption, and immense profits for Drugs barons. A simply fascinating and disturbing read.

small thumbnail image of the book Beyond the War on Drugs - an authoritive and fascinating insight into the depth of failing on the War on Drugs and it's cost to society

Several important, cogent points form the foundation of Eldredge's argument for ending America's "War" on drugs:

  1. Drug addiction is quite rare;
  2. Drug dependence is likewise rare, far less widespread than alcohol dependency, for instance;
  3. Both are largely avoidable through educational efforts and treatable medically and/or therapeutically;
  4. The attempt to control drugs in society by prohibition has been worse than a total failure. It has created enormous economic incentives to both distributors and users for the promotion of drug;
  5. Excellent precedents for resolving the drug problem exist in the country's experience in ending alcohol Prohibition.

Eldredge, an avowed conservative, adds a thoughtful, well-researched and highly readable work to the growing body of argument for a radical change in our approach to the drug problem. He butresses his case for legal, controlled distribution with sound argument, cogent examples and solid statistics. He illustrates the futility and wasteful expense of our present approach with a combination of factual evidence and telling anecdotal example.

This book should be required reading for every citizen interested in one of the most difficult issues of our time. As a start, it would be most helpful to ask every member of Congress to read it, if for no other reason than to understand the waste and futility of our current policies.

It is doubtful that Eldredge's book alone will precipitate the necessary change of public opinion to permit us to try a different course, but he has added a worthwhile and constructive voice to the growing chorus.

SLF Comment: A quality read, clearly showing why America is losing its War on Drugs, leading only to overcrowded courts, and prisons, rising crime, official corruption, eroded civil rights and race relations and new public health crises. We highly recommend you read this book

small thumbnail image of the book Sacred Mushrooms of Visions - a sourcebook of information and collected journals on shrooms, their effects, chemical compositions, and scientific research

This book has its uses as reference guide for anybody researching, studying or with a general interest in shrooms. A lot of the material is presented in impersonal report style, which doesn't make it an easy/entertaining read. This book is mainly interested in throwing together as many pieces of factual information as it can, from a detailed expose on the Good Friday Experiment to a report on a Mazatec Indian Curandero's healing practice using psychedelic mushrooms - some of it is bound to be of interest to you

SLF Comment: Yeah, a real liquorice allsorts this one. Bits of everything about shrooms, from just about everywhere. Definitely useful for research, but can get very heavy going at times - especially when discussing the biochemistry of Psilobin etc..

small thumbnail image of the book Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World, by Paul Stamets- a resource guide for the accurate identification of psilocybin mushrooms.  Covers virtually all the known shrooms - don't leave home without it

(Review by Burnt Rice, an Amazon customer)

This is by far the most descriptive and complete guide to psychoactive mushrooms and their deadly look-alikes I have ever read. LOTS of cool, detailed color pictures to help with both identification and leisure entertainment. The book is comprised of the following:

  • -5 pages on the history of them
  • -6 pages on their distribution around the world
  • -8 pages on general places they like to grow (e.g. under a bush or something)
  • -12 pages on tips for good trips
  • -20 pages on identification & collection techniques
  • -123 pages on just about every species of psychoactive mushrooms known to man (pics, description, habitat, etc.) both highly active and relatives that have low chemical content
  • -10 pages on deadly look-alikes
  • -includes a glossary, recommended reading, bibliography, and index

This is the best all-around book on this subject! Buy it now!

SLF Comment: This book has been a trusty companion on many of our walks in the countryside. It has probably introduced thousands of shroomers to the magical world of fungi since it's first publication. It's a book, that you'll always find yourself digging out to learn more about a particular type of mushroom, or just to read Paul's excellent advice, or interesting stories. Has some lovely pictures in of virtually every shroom you could think of, plus loads you never even knew existed.

People Are Strange (the Doors)

Yes, we can all relate to the "strange" part of this tune - Aztec's said he's encountered every experience described in this song - even the streets seem uneven part!!!

The Marijuana Conspiracy - The Truth About Weed (Part 1)

Fascinating fact pact documentary of the conspiracy that drives the War on Drugs against Marijuana. You'll be blown away by just how useful and viable Hemp is, and the true threat that the hemp industry poses to NOT the health and wellbeing of society, but the vast profits of Oil based Corporations!!! Eye opening stuff. (One of 3 films)