The Seven Sisters of Sleep: The Celebrated Drug Classic (Paperback)

~ Mordecai Cooke (Author) "During the Decian persecution, seven inhabitants of Ephesus retired to a cave, six were persons of some consequence, the seventh was their servnt; from hence..." (more)
Key Phrases: narcotic hemp, opium consumed, opium shops, South America, United States, Mash Allah (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This groundbreaking survey, written in 1860, is a radically open-minded look at the use of drugs across the world and throughout the ages.

Early users of tobacco in Russia would have their noses cut off and repeat offenders their heads. Pope Innocent XII excommunicated any who used it in St. Peters. Marijuana users in 14th century Egypt would have their teeth extracted for the crime. Yet use of these and other forbidden substances continued to grow. If only as a record of the perennial failure of harsh punishments to deter drug use Victorian naturalist Mordecai Cooke's work The Seven Sisters of Sleep would remain significant. But Cooke's natural humor and keen insights have ensured this work's reputation as possibly the best early book from what has grown into an enormous body of literature on mind- and mood-altering substances. Written at a time, similar to our own, when drug use was being reconsidered, The Seven Sisters of Sleep is a thought-provoking and open-minded look at the use of drugs across the world and throughout the ages. 

Quite popular in its day and a major influence on Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, this is an important book for anyone interested in an unbiased account of humanity's long involvement with psychoactive, hallucinogenic, and stimulant plants. 

About the Author

Mordecai Cooke (1825-1915) was an eminent naturalist, mycologist, and teacher. He was also the author of several scientific studies on mushrooms.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Park Street Press (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892817488
• ISBN-13: 978-0892817481
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #923,323 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)