SKU: 40126002372

Shroom: A Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom

Sale price$14.53 Regular price$16.14
Save 10%

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 10 - Jul 15

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Shroom: A Cultural History of the Magic MushroomDid mushroom tea kick start ancient Greek philosophy? Was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland a thinly veiled psychedelic mushroom odyssey? Is Santa Claus really a "magic mushroom" in disguise? Psychedelic mushrooms reappeared on the cultural landscape only fifty years ago, but have since become the subject of many folktales and legends. In Shroom, Andy Letcher takes a critical and humorous look at how hallucinogenic mushrooms, once shunned in the West

Did mushroom tea kick-start ancient Greek philosophy? Was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland a thinly veiled psychedelic mushroom odyssey? Is Santa Claus really a "magic mushroom" in disguise? Psychedelic mushrooms reappeared on the cultural landscape only fifty years ago, but have since become the subject of many folktales and legends. In Shroom, Andy Letcher takes a critical and humorous look at how hallucinogenic mushrooms, once shunned in the West as the most pernicious of poisons, came to be such a popular illicit drug.

This entertaining book chronicles the history of the psychedelic mushroom, from its use by the Aztecs of Central America and the tribes of Siberia to its reappearance on the cultural landscape in the modern era. Informative, lively, and impeccably researched, Shroom is a unique and engaging exploration of this most extraordinary of psychedelics.

Andy Letcher is a freelance writer, lecturer and musician living in Oxford, England. He has two doctorates: the first in ecology from Oxford University, the second in religious/cultural studies from King Alfred's College, Winchester. During the 1990s he lived in a tree house for three months while protesting against the Newbury Bypass and toured the British festival circuit playing in a variety of psychedelic bands. Today he sings and plays the mandolin and English bagpipes in his own acid folk group, Telling the Bees. Shroom is his first book.

"Letcher has contributed a delightful, journalistic addition to the genre known as trip lit." -- New York Times Book Review

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Ecco Press
Published: 02/19/2008
ISBN: 9780060828295
Pages: 360
Weight: 0.74lbs
Size: 8.05h x 5.78w x 0.96d

Review Citations: New York Times Book Review 04/06/2008 pg. 24
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 40126002372

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.1 ★★★★★
Based on 1080 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
M
Verified Purchase
Matthew
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 3
Great Cooling, But Lacking Support
Color: White, Size: Standard
I have to agree with some of the other reviews—this pillow just doesn't offer enough support. It initially feels plush and inviting, but after a minute or so, your head sinks too far and ends up pressing against the underlying latex, which has a rubbery, somewhat uncomfortable feel. It might be an excellent fit for those with smaller frames, but for me, it fell short in terms of proper neck and head support. On the plus side, the cooling aspect is impressive. It's cool to the touch and noticeably more breathable than many pillows I've tried. I've seen some complaints about it not staying cool all night, but honestly, no pillow really does. Casper's claim of "12 hours of cooling" seems like marketing optimism—your body heat will eventually warm up any pillow, no matter how well-designed. That’s just basic thermodynamics. All in all, it's a well-made pillow with excellent cooling performance. If you have a smaller frame, this could be a great choice. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work for my needs.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2025
B
Verified Purchase
BP
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 1
Is this a joke?
Color: White, Size: King
I don't usually write reviews, but I have to for this pillow. The pillow measures 16" x 32", not 18" x 34" as stated in the description. That's not really a big deal, but they should have the correct size in the description. The problem with this pillow is the total lack of support. My head falls through this pillow within a half hour of laying my head on it. This causes me neck pain and I have to switch to my old pillow in the middle of the night. I'm a bigger dude that's 6'3" and I only sleep on my side. I thought this pillow would be great based on the other reviews that stated it works for side sleepers. I would describe this pillow as a greatly overpriced marshmallow. The pillow does have some decent cooling properties, but they don't last all night as described. This pillow would probably work great for someone who sleeps on their stomach. I wouldn't recommend this pillow to a bigger dude that's a side sleeper. Note: I did find a great Casper pillow that works for me. I bought the Casper Sleep Essential Cooling Foam pillow on Amazon. It's the one that's all foam with a phase change layer to help with cooling. The pillow has great support and it doesn't cause me any neck pain. The best part is the price, it cost less than half the price of the Hybrid Snow Pillow. I hope this review helps someone.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2024
K
Verified Purchase
K. Farnsworth
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
A Near Perfect Pillow
Color: White, Size: King
I was hesitant to order this pillow because it was so expensive. I was looking for a cooling pillow and after a previously purchased pillow lost it's "cool" after a few nights of sleeping on it, I was concerned that this Casper pillow would do the same. The pillow is so comfortable. My only complaint is that it does not seem to hold the coolness all night. I find I need to flip the pillow over part way through the night. But, when I flip the pillow, it is perfectly cool. The pillow is supportive without being too firm. I love this pillow!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2024
J
Verified Purchase
J&S
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 2
Not quite right….
Color: White, Size: Standard
I’m torn on this pillow. While it does have merit, there were some serious “flaws” for me. I am a side sleeper and I’ve been on the hunt for a neck supportive pillow. This didn’t have that for me. The night started with good possibility, but I woke up several hours in and found the pillow flat where I was; all the filling had moved to the top. It IS very cool to the touch and I could definitely tell it was cool while sleeping on it. The loft of this pillow is fine, but not stupendous, and the softness was pretty great. Overall, just not the best. If the filling had stayed put through the night, I might’ve kept, but as it was, I returned.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2025
T
Verified Purchase
Theresa
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Does the job!
Color: White, Size: Standard
This pillow offers superb support and stays cool. It replaced my previous one from a couple years back. I did notice that, like so many things, it isn’t as full as my previous one but still offers a good nights rest for this side sleeper.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2026

recommand products