Customer Reviews

Total Synthesis II

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Well well,

After reading some of the reviews on this page, I had to put one in for the good guys. I would like to point out to possible future readers that yes, this book contains all you need, and possibly more. Most of the 'practically useable' recipies for the popular (methyldioxy-)/ phenyl- amines are here. Most of the speeds , xtc's etc.etc.
And that no, you don't need a chemistry degree to fabricate any or most of it.
But anyways, as I was saying, the thinking part of the book is also it's weakest element. I was a little disappointed at the very chatty character of some (read: most) of his procedural reviews. The author is more often then not guessing about a bit, and frankly, I doubt he has done his homework on some of the reaction mechanisms. Which btw, shouldn't be an excuse for you not to do it either. Some of the stuff in the book probably has been tried ,since most of it works fairly well. On a side note, strike is a bit lazy when describing the lab work, e.g. forgets to mention small details here & there. (f.i. don't boil ether without adding a drop of peroxide inhibitor, small stuff like that) .But anyways, that's nit picking. I did have some reservations about the 'make it yourself equipment' section, particularly when it came to 'pressure bombs' .Personally I'd vote against that sort of thing. (Making welds that withstand corrosive chemicals under >125bar & high temperature is a different cake if I may say so)

So in short, lot's of useable recipies. And in fact some nice 'total synthesis' pathways, very nice collection indeed. Even if only for educational purposes. Cute hand drawn illustrations, (how come nobody mentioned those ? At first I thought strike was a girl bcs of all the drawings.) ;) . A very chatty unprofessional writing style, mixed with some incoherent speculative ramblings, that are better ignored. Unless read for entertainment purposes. Sloppy lab procedures in general, but then again, nothing to become to upset about. A bit of common sense would help a lot, I suppose.

All in all, for $35-, you could do (a lot) worse. Combine it with something from the good uncle Fester. His equipment sections are marginally better then Strike's .

P.s. I to have come to understand Strike is locked up. So carefull carefull ! Seems the U.S. is the next Malaysia for druggies (or the next Paraguay for that matter). Best wishes for Strike. I hope he'll get through it.

Excellent book on the synthesis of MDMA and associated amphetamines. Great for the novice and more seasoned chemist alike with a lot of explanatory notes that seem to get omitted from a lot of journals. At least a couple of semesters of organic chemistry lab are still a requirement though; face it guys, there is no getting around some real chemistry knowledge if you want to even think about attempting a lot of stuff in this book.

This book shows you not only how to synthesize MDMA but also how to synthesize all materials needed for the synthesis of MDMA. Its illustrated and has lots of good ideas. Great for a novice although I would recomend some collage courses in organic chemistry.

Total Synthesis II is an informative book on the production of a variety of psychoactive phenylamines, detailing several of the more common processes used to synthesise common psychoactive phenylamines. The beginning of the book has some fairly accurate descriptions of general lab techniques used for organic chemistry work. There is a section which describes some of the more common methods used to obtain the precursors and general reagents required to synthesise a variety of organic chemicals.

Whilst this book attempts to convey to the layman all the necessary knowledge required to manufacture amphetamines, most notably MDMA, it does little to explain the specifics of the chemistry being used. Despite claims to the contrary, it is my contention that this book alone does not provide enough information for your average speed or goog head to manufacture amphetamines in reasonable yields, or at all. This book does provide a useful compendium of current techniques and starting materials, which should be interesting to both law enforcement officials, and those inquisitive souls possessed of the necessary perseverence to garner an education in organic chemistry, and general lab practice. The book makes litle mention of the hazardous nature of many of the production techniques: hazardous to both the "chemist" and the end user, and it is likely that the sorts of people who will buy this book for the purposes of setting up commercial drug labs will injure or kill themselves using some of the techniques herein. This book does achieve the laudable goal of providing useful information to those people already possessed of a working knowlegde of organic chemistry and lab technique, also providing insufficient information for those people who just want to get rich quick by illegal means. This is noteworthy, because one of the main contributing factors in the illegality of drugs is the frequency of ignorant production by people not dedicated enough to understand that with which they play. A useful book, with an unusual narrative style.

This book has every avaliable practical clandestine method on the net placed in succinct and witty passages. More thorough and in depth than any book on the market and great reading for the begginer. Only problem is, the begginer is going to have a hard time with everything in the book without prior knowledge of Organic Chemistry.

Seperating, Aspirating, washing...etc, is never clearly explained and many solvents and thier usage are assumed knowledge by the author. In short, this is the only book on the subject you need, but sadly you'll need to know Organic Chem Lab procedure to utilize it to it's full.

Still, even a novice with some rudimentary iternet meandering would definitly find many recipes easily conducted, though the legality of such actions is strictly at users own risk and would reqiure a considerable investment.

This book is great. Never before and I suspect never agin has so much information been put in one book. The book explains the manufacturing of mdma, along with its stroger and weaker counter parts. the book tells you what the color of the reactions are going to be. you cant go wrong!!

I read Total Synthesis 2. In the book strike tells the reader, Step by Step, How to prefrom the manufactor of MDA, MDMA, MDEA, and whatever. I think tweak. All I wanted was to see the MDA/MDMA. (XTC) :)

Anyhow, I have not tried anything he wrote but I learned alot from his writings and could picture step by step what to get and how to do it. He has Pictures to show you what things look like and what to buy.

The only thing I did not like in this book is that some of his examples on synthesising these drugs are NOT TESTED and really have NO MERIT. If he did not perform the operations how would he really know they work in further case why even write them down and sell it in a book.

Thanks Strike, Great book

Yes, this was a very entertaining and informative book and just like everyone said, sometimes, hard to follow. You would defiantly need some chemistry knowledge to know (and accomplish) what is in this book. Luckily what is needed to know, one can easily find out. If you are into underground, this book is a must have. Also Strike makes very good references to other "must have" books and articles. I love everything "underground" so this book is right up there with the best of them.

a very well written book in detail of manufacture of all amphetamines and ectacy but unless you have a chemistry background is have to follow or attempt any of the synthesis described in the book but still a good source of information

I never get anything to come up for "Panda Ink" or "Strike" for that matter. Seems as if the two just disappeared.