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Amok Journal Sensurround Edition
Subtitled "A Compendium of Phycho-Physiological Investigation," what you get in the Amok Journal's SENSURROUND EDITION is a collection of reports, articles and general research on autoerotic fatalities, trepanation, Gualtiero Jacopetti, cargo cults, Neue Slowenische Kunst, self-mutilation and amputee fetishism, infrasound and a collection of true emergency room reports called "Psych-Out." All of the material presented here is true. Some of it seems unbelievable but all the reports here are covering behaviors that these people were engaging in willingly (even some of the fatal ones) for the purpose of having some sort of heightened sensory experience. Nearly all of this behavior does NOT involve drugs, focusing more on altered experience through altered body state. Not for the easily squeamish. Despite the extreme subject matter, this volume is highly intelligent and an amazing psychological peek into the fringes of human experiences.
488 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 5, 2012
Health warning : This is a big glossy book of essays about the outer edges of society.
It's fun.
Oh, all right, it's actually not fun.
When you open up this big glossy book you'll see the first section of the book is called "Autoerotic Fatalities". So of course you'll just have to read it right there and then, and then when you've finished, including the sub-section called "Conversation with an Asphyxiophiliac" (they obviously got to him in time) you'll find that your complexion is now an unappealing sea-green and you rather wish you hadn't read it at all, and you'll find yourself looking upon the simplest domestic items with new insight - the curtain rail, the ironing board and the humble carrot will never be so innocent again - but at least now you can regale your friends and relatives with descriptions of photos captioned "view of the body showing chain harness attached to car bumper" and "the deceased slumped over a vacuum cleaner on a dining room table".
But, you know, this book is very useful in bringing to a sudden halt otherwise tedious situations. When the Jehovah Witnesses come to the door next time, tell them that there's something that has been bothering you recently. Keep the Amok Journal handy, near the front door, and then you'll be able to grab it and show them page 112 and say
"Isn't it terrible what goes on on the modern world.. what does the Bible say about about autoasphyxiation? Is it technically a sin at all?? And what about trepanation? It was an ancient technique used to exorcise evil spirits from people's brains. Fairly crude really, you just got a hammer and bashed out a chunk of skull. Would you disapprove? Was Jesus trepanned or did he trepan other people? And what about this section here... page 210... people that like to suspend themselves from the ceiling with hooks through their flesh - what does the Bible say about that? Oh, don't run away... Jehovah's Witnesses, please come back!"
It's fun.
Oh, all right, it's actually not fun.
When you open up this big glossy book you'll see the first section of the book is called "Autoerotic Fatalities". So of course you'll just have to read it right there and then, and then when you've finished, including the sub-section called "Conversation with an Asphyxiophiliac" (they obviously got to him in time) you'll find that your complexion is now an unappealing sea-green and you rather wish you hadn't read it at all, and you'll find yourself looking upon the simplest domestic items with new insight - the curtain rail, the ironing board and the humble carrot will never be so innocent again - but at least now you can regale your friends and relatives with descriptions of photos captioned "view of the body showing chain harness attached to car bumper" and "the deceased slumped over a vacuum cleaner on a dining room table".
But, you know, this book is very useful in bringing to a sudden halt otherwise tedious situations. When the Jehovah Witnesses come to the door next time, tell them that there's something that has been bothering you recently. Keep the Amok Journal handy, near the front door, and then you'll be able to grab it and show them page 112 and say
"Isn't it terrible what goes on on the modern world.. what does the Bible say about about autoasphyxiation? Is it technically a sin at all?? And what about trepanation? It was an ancient technique used to exorcise evil spirits from people's brains. Fairly crude really, you just got a hammer and bashed out a chunk of skull. Would you disapprove? Was Jesus trepanned or did he trepan other people? And what about this section here... page 210... people that like to suspend themselves from the ceiling with hooks through their flesh - what does the Bible say about that? Oh, don't run away... Jehovah's Witnesses, please come back!"
September 25, 2010
A research journal with subjects you actually want to read about.
The chapter on auto-erotic fatalities/accidents is a true tour-de-force of how the best way to embarrass your parents is to kill yourself while masturbating in really whacked out ways. The book does not disappoint with picture after picture to back this theory up. It will surprise you to learn that it not a men's only club either.
Amputee fetishism. a history of Mondo movies, and probably the the best explanation of trepanation you will ever read. If this book does not make you want to drill a hole in your head to open up your third eye. nothing will.
Hard to find at libraries so you should have them order it.
The chapter on auto-erotic fatalities/accidents is a true tour-de-force of how the best way to embarrass your parents is to kill yourself while masturbating in really whacked out ways. The book does not disappoint with picture after picture to back this theory up. It will surprise you to learn that it not a men's only club either.
Amputee fetishism. a history of Mondo movies, and probably the the best explanation of trepanation you will ever read. If this book does not make you want to drill a hole in your head to open up your third eye. nothing will.
Hard to find at libraries so you should have them order it.
May 20, 2008
Sickening, disturbing, brilliant, informative. Find a copy!
January 5, 2013
Possibly the driest, greatest, wildest, unsettlingest book ever. I couldn't stop reading it and finished it in one sitting. My mind was reeling after.
January 28, 2008
Truly weird stuff.
June 13, 2022
I skipped over NSK and infrasound as i didn’t find these subjects interesting
I think this book really is amazing. A large collection of studies/essays relating to 7 defined subjects and 1 miscellaneous section. The breadth of information here is amazing and I’m surprised at the price this book retails for. Each of the books in the selected biography would be probably 10x to possess the same knowledge about humanity.
Of course I watched the jacopetti documentary upon reading his section. The world is one crazy place. Let’s not shy away from it
I think this book really is amazing. A large collection of studies/essays relating to 7 defined subjects and 1 miscellaneous section. The breadth of information here is amazing and I’m surprised at the price this book retails for. Each of the books in the selected biography would be probably 10x to possess the same knowledge about humanity.
Of course I watched the jacopetti documentary upon reading his section. The world is one crazy place. Let’s not shy away from it
December 21, 2018
Astounding and outstanding. Speechless. Seriously fringe phenomena considered without judgement. For tough constitutions only, but the rewards are great.
August 14, 2007
Very cool book about obscure subjects. I wish I still have it.
Want to read
November 29, 2007With a title like that (and sensational topics I've heard), how can anyone resist?
September 28, 2008
I love humans when their differnt
November 14, 2011
Got this many years ago for the amputee fetish section and was thoroughly pleased and excited by the pictures of trepanation and auto-erotic asphyxiation. A classic.
June 4, 2012
Page 465, my fault thanks to boredom, a xerox machine, an envelope, and a stamp. c. 1991.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews