Food of the Gods The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge A Radical History of Plants, Drugs, and Human Evolution
“Food of the Gods: The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge” by Terence McKenna, published by Random House Publishing Group in January 1993, is a reprint edition comprising 336 pages. This book delves into humanity’s intricate relationship with various mind-altering substances, including tobacco, marijuana, and psilocybin, tracing their significance from prehistoric times to the present day.
Readers will find an exploration of the reasons behind humanity’s fascination with altered states of consciousness and how these experiences may inform our understanding of evolution and our place in nature. McKenna’s research presents a historical perspective on the role of drugs in different cultures, highlighting the potential for a shamanic approach to address societal issues related to substance use. The work engages with themes of ecology and anthropology, offering insights into the human desire for transcendence and the importance of community and nature in this quest.
Official synopsis Publisher
“Deserves to be the modern classic on mind-altering drugs and hallucinogens.”—The Washington Post
Ethnobotanist Terence Mckenna, hailed by Tom Robbins as “the most important—and most entertaining—visionary scholar in America,” explores humanity’s symbiotic relationship with spirits, tobacco, marijuana, opium, psilocybin, and more, from prehistoric times to today.
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, 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.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Food of the Gods The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge A Radical History of Plants, Drugs, and Human Evolution” about?
Who is the author of “Food of the Gods The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge A Radical History of Plants, Drugs, and Human Evolution”?
When was “Food of the Gods The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge A Radical History of Plants, Drugs, and Human Evolution” published?
What is the ISBN for “Food of the Gods The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge A Radical History of Plants, Drugs, and Human Evolution”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
