Originally published in Germany in 1924, Phantastica was first published in English in 1931. The author Louis Lewin (1850-1929) was born in Tuchel, in Western Prussia. He spent the majority of his life living in Berlin, where he graduated from the University of Berlin in 1875 as a medical doctor, specializing in pharmacology and was an expert in the field of toxicology eventually becoming a professor of pharmacology. This book provides an early yet modern classical study of psychoactive drugs.  Until Lewin, books on the use of drugs were purely works of anthropology, concerned with how people used these plants rather than how the plants produced their effects on the brain. Fortunately, Phantastica was able combine historical note alongside Lewins’ own pharmacological observations.
            Lewin prefaces the book with an overview of psychological considerations; the introduction looks at the motives for the use of these substances, the importance of the mental constitution in relation to external stimuli, tolerance and habituation, and immunity against poisons.
            In the meat of the book, Lewin reviews the known psychoactive plants and catalogs them into 5 categories based upon their chemistry and side affects induced. Prior to this, there was no major means of classification for any of the natural products based on effect.  The 5 categories are:
            1. Euphorica – Euphoriants, which includes opium, codeine and cocaine;
            2. Phantastica – Entheogens, including peyote, cannabis, Amanita muscaria (fly agaric mushroom) and Banisteria (Banisteriopsis) caapi (Amazonian ayahuasca brew);
            3. Inebriantia - Inebriants, including alcohol, ether, chloroform and Nitrous oxide;
            4. Hypnotica – Tranquilizers, including chloral, kava-kava and kanna; and
            5. Excitantia – Stimulants, including coffee, tea, amphetamine, tobacco and             betel.
No category has stirred deeper interest than Phantastica: plants that "bring about evident cerebral excitation in the form of hallucinations, illusions and visions ... followed by unconsciousness or other symptoms of altered cerebral functioning". However, many of these classifications have changed since the book was first published.  For example, Phantastica is now commonly known as hallucinogens.
            Each substance is thoroughly covered providing the history of the drug and its modern uses as well as the family of plant it belongs too and relating flora.  All scientific, numerical and observational data are monographs by Lewins’ experience in the field.  For example, he was the first researcher to study peyote with Native Americans, getting the whole story around the ever-popular hallucinogen.  Unfortunately, there are no pictures or diagrams of the plant material, but Lewin does provide numerous tables showing prevalence in local society or effectiveness based on varying degrees of abnormal behavior exhibited.  
            In conclusion, Phantastica provides a semi-historical overview of numerous natural products, cataloging the chemical and psychological properties known at the time of medical-pharmaceutical insurgence.  It is fairly evident that Phantastica does not give the most up-to-date scientific information, but it illustrates the growth of product categorization, which can be easily channeled into modern models.  While Phantastica does not necessarily mean to read like a story, every piece of information is tied together through a variety of experiences making for a smooth, engaging read.  I would recommend this to anyone who wants to know a little more or those looking to round out their knowledge with numerous historical and observational accounts of countless natural products.