The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross by John M. Allegro
Publication: 1970 Doubleday & Company inc. First American Edition first printing
Allegro presents a radical hypothesis that the origins of Christianity—and other ancient religions—are rooted in fertility cults centered around the use of psychedelic mushrooms, especially Amanita muscaria. Allegro, a scholar of ancient languages, argues that many religious texts, including the Bible, contain coded references to these mushrooms.
There has been a resurgence of interest in this work, mostly due to the mention of it on Joe Rogan's popular podcast.
Condition: publishers black cloth boards, gilt title to spine, dust jacket is present with minor chipping and creasing along the spine ends and corners, jacket is unclipped with original price of $7.95, creasing to top corner of the frontpiece, overall in Near Fine condition