Customer Reviews

Dope Menace: The Sensational World of Drug Paperbacks

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Nicely written w/ lots of cool pictures to tantalize and please. I loved reading all the cool, different drug slang and terms used back in those days. Excellent coffee table read.

The best way to study popular culture, and the response to events that determines how masses of people come to think about their world, is from the ground up. Steve Gertz's book (unlike academic jargon determined to "interrogate" only the author's self-importance) does this. Gertz is a top-flight scholar also, especially of literary history, as his essays show (not just the Introduction) . One learns about paperback history, beat culture and its demonization, the connection between criminality and creativity, the extent to which propaganda created false enemies of health and prosperity, and the fear and fascination with the 1960s hippie excess, as well as its rejection of what were supposed to be patriotic and religious absolutes. Who knew so many musicians, writers, proponents of "The New Freedom," and social critics were so relevant to what is stigmatized as "vulgar" or "exploitive" sensationalism?

A veritable treasure trove of cover art from vintage drug and sex pulp paperbacks, with a brilliant analysis of the effects of these mass market guided missiles on American culture. The author clearly loves his material, and his knowledge of the history, lore, and lure of the genre is masterful. For any reader interested in the seamy side of popular culture, this is a must buy. A perfect gift for all the beatniks, misfits, and dope addicts on your shopping list. Kick back, bliss out, and enjoy this twisted trip to the dark side.

I bought this book as a Christmas present for a friend of mine. It's chalked full of colored drawings of pulp fiction novels dealing with the menace of drugs. If you like pulp fiction novel covers you will like this.