Peyote: The Divine Cactus (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Dry whiskey, Divine herb, Devil’s root, Medicine of God, Peyote: for some people, to use it is to hear colors and see sounds. For many Native Americans, it brings an ability to reach out of their physical lives, to communicate with the spirits, and to become complete. For chemists, pharmacologists, and psychiatrists, the plant is fascinating in its complexity and in the ways its chemicals work upon the human mind. What is it in peyote that causes such unusual effects? Can modern medical science learn anything from Native Americans’ use of peyote in curing a wide variety of ailments? What is the Native American Church, and how do its members use peyote? Does anyone have the legal right to use drugs or controlled substances in religious ceremonies? Within this volume are answers to these and dozens of other questions surrounding the controversial and remarkable cactus. Greatly expanded and brought up-to-date from the 1980 edition, these pages describe peyote ceremonies and the users’ experiences, and also cover the many scientific and legal aspects of using the plant. Well written, informative, comprehensive, and enlightening, the book will be welcomed by counselors, anthropologists, historians, physicians, chemists, lawyers, and observers of the contemporary drug scene, as well as by interested general readers.

About the Author

Now Senior Research Botanist at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Edward F. Anderson was on the faculty of Whitman College for thirty years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: University of Arizona Press; 2 edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816516545
• ISBN-13: 978-0816516544
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #546,210 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #27 in	Books > Home & Garden > Gardening & Horticulture > By Plant > Cacti
  #27 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Plants > Cacti & Succulents

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The authoritative study of peyote, December 13, 1996

By A Customer

The most complete authority on the peyote cactus, Lophophora williamsii. E. Anderson includes every aspects of peyote- history and religious uses to ethnobotanical, phytochemistry and pharmacology. For anyone interested in learning all aspects of this mystifying plant, Peyote: The Divine Cactus, will allow just that.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peyote: The Divine Cactus, October 16, 2005

By	Rodger Wahl "owl" (Weslaco, Tx USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a very informitive book that covers history, ceremonies,
users experiences, and much more. As a member of the Native American Church I recommed it to members and non-members alike.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, August 25, 2008

By	Arik J. Beal "HappyHeathen" (Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book if very informative. It covers everything about the Peyote cactus. biology, propogation, history etc. A must have for anyone interested in this species of cacti.

The book arived in a timely matter and was in great condition.