LSD: My Problem Child: Reflections on Sacred Drugs, Mysticism, and Science [Paperback]

Albert Hofmann (Author), Jonathan Ott (Translator)

Product Details

• Paperback: 202 pages
• Publisher: J.P. Tarcher, Inc.; 1st edition (April 1, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874772567
• ISBN-13: 978-0874772562
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,622,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Objective view complete in all aspects, September 27, 2005

By 

Gregory Ames (Maywood, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: LSD: My Problem Child: Reflections on Sacred Drugs, Mysticism, and Science (Paperback)

This book must be extremely rare to find a physical copy so if you are interested in reading it I suggest you look online (I read it at [...]). This book gives a complete history of the Albert Hoffman's research leading up to the discovery of LSD-25 as well its effects on society at the time, its uses, and even his correspondence with various writers and other enthusaists (bet you didn't know that he frequently met with Aldous Huxley). A quote in his introduction describes what he intends to write about:
"It is my desire in this book to give a comprehensive picture of LSD, its origin, its effects, and its dangers, in order to guard against increasing abuse of this extraordinary drug... I believe that if people would learn to use LSD's vision-inducing capability more wisely, under suitable conditions, in medical practice and in conjunction with meditation, then in the future this problem child could become a wonder child."
The beginning parts on his initial work with egrot alkaloids and his synthesis of LSD is probably only of interest to a chemist, but it isn't hopelessly complicated (I enjoyed that section even with my minimal understanding of chemistry). It wasn't until years after its initial founding that he was drawn back to it and discovered its psychedelic qualities. It goes on to discuss the thrill/fear of his first accidental trip and his awe of its capabilities. This book is more than just an account of events and history. Unlike typical scientific writings, it often discusses his feelings and beliefs about LSD and even his travels to other countries for personal psychedelic research. The last chapter especially deals with spirituality and the use of psychedelics.
One great quality of this book is that it is highly objective and although it includes some of Hoffman's beliefs it carefully gives both sides of the story. It basically recommends LSD only for medical or careful psychological use under professional guidance, but gives enough information and insight as to the nature of the drug, that you are free to form your own opinion.

I highly reccommend this book since it so carefully covers all aspects of LSD and other psychedelics. This may be of interest to those with or without a firm understanding of chemistry.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Version of this book was just published!, January 3, 2006

By 

tricky nikki "nek" (florida usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: LSD: My Problem Child: Reflections on Sacred Drugs, Mysticism, and Science (Paperback)

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0966001982/qid=1136330586/sr=8-3/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i3_xgl14/002-0201159-0844822?n=507846&s=books&v=glance">LSD: My Problem Child</a> is not as hard to find anymore!

A second edition of the story of the infamous substance is now available. 232 pages plus 16 pages of color plates, with a new foreword from Stanislav Grof, M.D.

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0966001982/qid=1136330586/sr=8-3/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i3_xgl14/002-0201159-0844822?n=507846&s=books&v=glance">Click here to see the new edition</a> and <a href="http://www.maps.org/books/mpc/secondedition/index.html" target="_blank">go here</a> for more information and photos of the book.

2 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great historical document, July 26, 2000

By 

"stbob" - See all my reviews

This review is from: LSD: My Problem Child: Reflections on Sacred Drugs, Mysticism, and Science (Paperback)

Interesting book if you're that interested in the history of LSD. Now that the Dead are no longer with us, I suppose there will be less and less interest.