As an ‘information manager’ (yes it sounds blech) I am always pleasantly surprised by the variety, depth and oddity of people’s reading habits. So I will be posting up a daily favourite read from the borrowing shelves for your delight.

Today the book is:

The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross by John M. Allegro

The book was originally published in 1970 to widespread ridicule, Allegro resigned his academic post after its publication and the publisher issued an apology (together with a full list of  book stores where reader’s should not buy the book).

The treatment seems quite unfair considering that the work is well written, well argued and based off the author’s interpretation of The Dead Sea Scrolls.

However the author’s attribution of the historical figure of Jesus Christ to a bad night on the shrooms did not sit well with the academic community at the time.

Had it been published today The Sacred Mushroom would undoubtedly have been treated differently. However attempting to revise history never tends to meet with consensus, agreement, civility or a gift basket full of blackberry jam and mushroom pie.

I’m sure Mr allegro would be happy to hear it’s still getting a read today.