Altered States of America: Outlaws and Icons, Hitmakers and Hitmen (Nation Books) [Paperback]

Richard Stratton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 2005 | Series: Nation Books

Altered States of America is a riveting collection of journalism by outlaw-turned-author Richard Stratton. Stratton's years as an international marijuana smuggler, his 8-year bid in a federal prison system, and subsequent ascendance to acclaimed author and filmmaker, give him the credibility with which to wrest an uncommon truth from his subjects. The stories in this collection read like adventure fiction. To name a few: the story of Greg Scarpa, a Columbo mob captain turned informant; Bonecrusher, a guard at Corcoran penitentiary who witnessed the bloody gladiator fights between convicts; the CIA's top-secret MK-ULTRA program in which the CIA secretly dosed unsuspecting civilians and its own agents with LSD, or the heartbreaking profile of Joe Stassi, America's oldest living gangster, who was ordered to murder his best friend. Each piece is linked by Stratton's reflections on and connections to the people and places he describes. Whether he is talking with Oliver Stone or a prison guard, Hunter S. Thompson or a gangster, Sean Penn or a CIA agent, Stratton has an empathetic understanding of his subjects. This collection truly embodies Bob Dylan's famous line: "To live outside the law, you must be honest."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

In 1982, Richard Stratton was arrested and convicted under the kingpin statute for importation of marijuana. Originally sentenced to 25 years without parole, Stratton became a jailhouse lawyer and had his sentence voided. He was released in 1990 after serving eight years in federal prison. His novel, Smack Goddess, written in prison, was published in 1990. He co-wrote and produced "Slam", the Emmy-award winning "Thug Life in D.C.," the Showtime series "Street Time" and many other documentaries. Stratton's writing has appeared in GQ, Esquire, Newsweek, U, Spin, Penthouse, and Story Magazine. He is the founding editor of the award-winning magazine Prison Life and is qualified as an expert witness in state and federal court in the areas of prison violence and prison culture. Stratton lives in New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Nation Books (September 27, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560257776
• ISBN-13: 978-1560257776
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,477,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Thought Provoking, February 8, 2008

By 

FunHog (Philly) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Altered States of America: Outlaws and Icons, Hitmakers and Hitmen (Nation Books) (Paperback)

This collection of articles by former pot smuggler and convict Richard Stratton, shows his talent as a gritty and skilled writer. The subject matter is drawn from articles from "Prison Life", "High Times" and other edgy magazines. He does get you to think about the problems with the drug laws and the prison system, but the constant conspiracy theories gets a little hard to swallow. An interesting read, if you like the darker side of the law.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outlaws or Criminals?, May 3, 2006

By 

Patrick Wagner (Philadelphia ,PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Altered States of America: Outlaws and Icons, Hitmakers and Hitmen (Nation Books) (Paperback)

A collection of articles and interviews by convicted drug smuggler Stratton is often compelling. Profiles of rebels and criminals like Eddie Bunkerand Hunter Thompson.are filtered through Stratton's often icnredible life experiences. I feel the need to read Norman Mailer after eading both of the interviews contained herin. If you read this, you may realize that there is a difference between an outlaw and a criminal .

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of Altered States by R. Stratton, November 1, 2011

By 

literatecat - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Altered States of America: Outlaws and Icons, Hitmakers and Hitmen (Nation Books) (Paperback)

This book is a collection of articles and essays written by Mr. Stratton over many years. It was helpful that the author dated the essays in the table of contents.

Mr. Stratton seems very knowledgeable about his subject matter. His articles help place in historical context the people, mostly men, who were dominant figures in organised crime in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s.

I find organized crime interesting. It subverts the dominant culture, it manipulates the dominant culture, and it is a subculture of secrets that is paradox to the dominant culture.

Mr. Stratton's writing style is conversational and topical. Although at times I longed for more profundity,I understand that this may not have been Mr. Stratton's style or purpose.

I will read more of Mr. Stratton's writings, not because of his writing style or literary skills, but to learn more about the times of which he writes and the characters who people these times.