Customer Reviews

LSD, my problem child

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Albert Hoffman, the Swiss chemist who accidentally invented LSD -- and then tested it on himself in the first human LSD trial -- presents a fascinating account of the first acid trips, including quite readable descriptions of the chemistry involved and first-person accounts from the first acid pioneers. He also did groundbreaking research into the natural hallucinogens of Mexico and he provides insightful comparisons of LSD and mushrooms. Why "My Problem Child"? Because advocating LSD was not his trip -- he strongly believes LSD can be a beneficial way for one to get to know oneself and experience other worlds, but only if the user is mentally and physically prepared for the journey. Kids in the 60s getting drunk and dropping ten hits gave the drug a bad name, to say the least. This book does include some practical information on avoiding (or surviving) bad trips, as well. Excellent source for anyone on either side of the issue of hallucinogens and their relationship to human consciousness.

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 Swiss chemist 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 (I bet you didn't know that he frequently met up 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

All of our lives have been changed by the inquisitive nature of Albert Hofmann. The chemical that called him back was the twenty-fifth derivative of lysergic acid diethylamide, better known as LSD-25, or simply, LSD.
The modern age of psychiatric medications is a direct off shoot of LSD experimentation. Computer technology, particularly personal computers and `shareware', have strong roots in LSD use. LSD: My Problem Child is Albert Hofmann's own story. Using a small, but known amount, on April 19, 1943 Albert Hofmann became the first person to deliberately ingest LSD. Soon other chemists and members of the Sandoz executive staff "experimented" with Hofmann's highly unusual chemical. They realized that LSD-25 had enormous potential.
Hofmann's work with LSD brought him into the search for the active constituents of "Mexican Magic Mushrooms". These almost lost shamanistic tools made their way to Hofmann's laboratory due to their similar effects to LSD. Hofmann was able to synthesize the active components and named them psilocybin and psilocin. A large portion of LSD: My Problem Child is devoted to Hofmann's communication with authors, philosophers, and major contemporary icons (such as Timothy Leary, who Hofmann liked personally but believed was short sighted about the dangers he faced personally and the advocating of hallucinogen consumption by American youth). LSD: My Problem Child is a quick, entertaining read.

The new MAPS edition of Hofmann's autobiography is a treasure. As someone who is familiar with the social history of drug policy and approaches to altered states of consciousness that stress cultural contingency, I was very excited as I set out to read Hofmann's book. The book was not only exhilarating reading, but also gave me a lasting understanding of the relationship between science and culture. It also gave me a unique understanding of LSD's potentials. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever tried LSD, anyone who has known anyone who has tried LSD, and anyone who has ever thought about trying LSD. You owe it to yourself.

There are a few books in the world that are touchstones for our psyches. This is one of them. It should be read by all young people coming of age, regardless of their position on the use of mind altering substances. It should be re-read every 10 years or so as they mature and their world view evolves. For those experienced with exploring internal frontiers it should be checked in with every 10 years or so as well. In just 209 pages of straight forward text some of the fundamental first principles of reality, and our relationship to it, are spilled out onto us without the need for preaching, screeching, moralizing, or deciphering obscure philosophical and scientific texts.

It should be read by every political leader in the world, and you won't find too many people who'd disagree with that!

An excellent first person account of the discovery of LSD and social ramifications that followed. With Dr.Hofmann soon to be one hundred years old the first edition is very sought after and rare. Find a signed copy and treasure it for life, it will only increase in value. Expect signed copies to be worth over two thousand or more soon. Very few exist.

Find that 1st edition (1980) and watch it soar in value. Find a 1st edition signed by Hofmann and you have an instant heirloom. Recent reprints are a great read but not much of a collectible.

So if you want something to increase in value at least get the 1st edition. Also if you want to read it the book is easy to find online.

I would recommend buying a new reprint to read (or read online) AND one of the rare collectibles if you have the money. Either purchase is a good one and I would highly recommend both. Just don't expect recent editions to increase in value much if at all.

An excellent well written account and valuable book.

an elegant and substantive discourse on the curious ways in which science has coalesced with spirituality through the last several decades. This man's mind is truly unique and his monumental discoveries, combined with his spectacular longevity and health, command respect.

Publish a great book and give all the proceeds to a worthwhile cause: you cannot go wrong here.

I first read this book when it was first published, maybe 25 years ago. The book still holds up well all these years later, as it is a calm, rational history from the Center of the Cyclone (if I might borrow the title from Dr. John Lilly). Clearly, Dr. Hoffman was no stranger to realms of what many these days call entheogens, often experimenting himself with other "new" substances he discovered in other organic plants that found their way to him as a result of his monumental inadvertant destiny in "discovering" LSD. While some of the other substances he writes on were very new at the time, and therefore might read a little dated, on the whole, there is no one better qualified or in a better position to tackle such a significant topic.

While this book does share some of the background on the development of LSD and investigations into other natural physchedelics by Hofmann et.al., the book is as eloquent as you would expect a translated book originally written by a German chemist. Hofmann also shares his and many other peoples' personal trials with LSD, and delves into the spiritual mysticism of the drug. I would recommend it for the more science-minded individuals.

Clears up a lot of the misconceptions. Got book through drug legalization lobby I give money to. What a Brilliant guy!!