Carl A. P. Ruck

Is the thesis of the book, that the Eleusinian mysteries involved the use of psychoactive drugs, correct? Probably, and the idea has become more widely accepted in the decades since the book was published. However, that change in perception has come in no small part due to more academically rigorous examinations of the question than this book, which devotes quite a large portion of its pages to talking about the authors' experiences with psychoactive drugs, personal opinions, and unconventional interpretations of myths and etymology that borders on a 'Chariots of the Gods' level of academic rigor. There is of course some serious archeological discussion but too much time is spent on flowery descriptions of drug trips and speculation presented as fact. That, as much as anything, is why this book wasn't initially taken seriously in academic circles. It deserves credit for being the first to broach the subject, for likely being right, and it is an interesting read, but is hardly authoritative.… (meer)