Storming Heaven is a riveting history of LSD and its influence on American culture. Jay Stevens uses the "curious molecule" known as LSD as a kind ...
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Dec 12, 2008
Cwn_annwn_13
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This was a very good book. You get lots of interesting stuff about Aldous Huxley, the famous beat writers, Owsley, Timothy Leary, Ken Kesey and the evolution of the so called counterculture as a whole.
The problems that I have with Storming Heaven is not for what was in it but what was left out. For one Stevens was WAY too easy on Timothy Leary. The author seemed almost like a school girl with a crush when he recounts his visit to Learys home for an interview for the book. He comes o More...
The problems that I have with Storming Heaven is not for what was in it but what was left out. For one Stevens was WAY too easy on Timothy Leary. The author seemed almost like a school girl with a crush when he recounts his visit to Learys home for an interview for the book. He comes o More...
Jun 03, 2010
Erik
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In order to maintain the rigor of the physical sciences while maintaining that of ethics, Immanuel Kant performed a "Copernican Revolution" in philosophy by seeking the formal structures of reality in the human mind. This deep analysis, while ordinarily not regarded as necessary, the commonalities of human apperception being presupposed and therefore set aside in most of the sciences, is particualrly appropriate in psychopathology, parapsychology and in the studies of religion and of
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Nov 03, 2011
Curtis
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Interesting book that details some of the history of the drug made notorious in the 1960s but also used in a surprising number of venues by among others Timothy Leary of Harvard. Halucinogens in modest amounts continued to be legally administered in some states in psychotherapy situations monitored by physicians to treat among other things depression. Outlawed in the 1980s they helped pave the way for more refined reality altering substances such as the Prozac family of medications. This book
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Nov 15, 2007
brandon
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fucking fantastic. stay way from salvia. trust me.
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Sep 05, 2010
Joel
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,,,a good history of LSD and intertwined CIA fuckery and their 'tests' on an unwitting public as well as good background on it's other impacts on larger society...some myths were dispelled and some perpetuated, but Mr. Stevens' overall research is sound and his writing style clear and concise...I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to discover how certain powers in our nation actually view both th' populace and policies towards us regarding personal freedom and how cheaply both are regarded.
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Apr 07, 2009
Steven
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REading about the time I grew up is interesting. I heard of much of this story but so much was not familiar. Felt like I filled in some memory blanks (without losing my memory in the process). Also, parallels some of the trends and discussions today--better mood and intelligence through pharmaceuticals. "Ca change . . . "
May 12, 2010
Eric
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I echo the high praise of ther reviewer. This book really does the topic a service. It was a pleasure to read and the discovery of LSD is a fascinating story. Highly recommended. Jay Steven can write and its clear. I read it abotu 15 years ago so I need to find my copy or buy another.
Oct 30, 2009
Michaeldelicio
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Awesome account of the Drug Experience in America. Very well-written, even-handed, and laugh-out-loud funny. On another note, the only author who actually answered an email of mine. Thanks, Jay!
Jul 30, 2011
a fantastic read, this book goes into much more detail beyond the c.i.a.'s involvement with lsd. this book makes an excellent companion volume to acid dreams.
Jul 14, 2010
Piotr
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You know all about Leary's Harvard studies and Kesey's bus, but do you have any context for the pharmacological movement of what They sneeringly call 'the Sixties'? 20+ years after I first read it as a tie-dyed snot-nose, Jay Stevens' history of how and why humans choose to explore their sub/unconscious via psychedlics (and how we even came to call these drugs as such) remains a vital American History read. May the social powers that be one day reconsider the lessons learned on this trip, and ap
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Sep 04, 2011
Lysergius
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Another book on LSD by another writer who has never experienced it?
Sep 03, 2008
Andy
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No book about LSD will ever be balanced, but this one does a fine job of telling both the West and East coast stories (unlike Tom Wolfe's Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test which, despite his New York roots is heavily biased to the chaos of the West Coast). Covering LSD from its early beginnings right through to the end of the Sixties and beyond this is a must read for anyone with even the vaguest interest of where popular culture has its roots.
Dec 17, 2009
Don
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A facinating journalistic history of LSD. It delves into the phenomenon I am very interested in, the birth of the flower children out of the ashes of the beats. Once they dropped acid they left their black berets behind and adopted the colors and edwardian glory of their innocent and naive rebellion.
A must read to understand the 60's and drug culture if you weren't there personally. I was but on the fray...
A must read to understand the 60's and drug culture if you weren't there personally. I was but on the fray...
May 18, 2008
Meghan
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I have been curious about LSD for a very long time. This book looks at the history of LSD/LSD culture, and was an absolutely fascinating read. I had no idea that such a variety of American icons could be connected, and through this? An incredible read, regardless of whether or not you are or have been a consumer of psychotropics etc.
Dec 16, 2009
Nigel
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This is a very interesting book, which explores the effects that LSD and its proponents have had, especially focussing on the 60s and the events that led up to the 'summer of love' and its aftermath. In retrospect, the epilogue is particularly wrong though.
Mar 19, 2008
Doni
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Compendium of the History of LSD...Includes a view of the Sixties, through the lens of the drug that covers everything you ever wanted to know about "tuning in, turning on, and dropping out," but were afraid to ask.
Mar 01, 2008
Howard
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Outstanding. Manages the remarkable trick of being a solid historical account while still letting the feel of the times dictate the shape of the material. Also, for some, some serious nostalgia value.
Apr 23, 2008
Steve
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This is simply the best book on the history of LSD and those who have used it. It's also incredibly entertaining and will probably be an eye-opener for many. Put it on your Secret History shelf.
Jan 10, 2012
Christopher
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The best social history of the psychedelic era I have come across. Highly recommended if you're interested in the subject.
Mar 25, 2008
Michael
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An excellent book about how psychologists tried using hallucinogens in the 60s.
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