Stairways to Heaven : Drugs in American Religious History

Fuller (religious studies, Bradley University) illustrates how substances such as peyote, jimson weed, hallucinogenic mushrooms, LSD, marijuana, wine, and coffee have stimulated spiritual revelations and strengthened social bonds, contributing to the diversity of American spiritual life. He also considers the nature of religious experiences, the tension between drug prohibition and religious freedom, and the role of mind-altering substances in the development of mature spirituality. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)