Literary Review
Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out
Timothy Leary
This is a reprint of Chapters 12-22 of The Politics
of Ecstasy in one handy
volume and includes some absolute gems from the
High Priest of LSD. Some of
the best bits are the reprints of lectures given
by Tim; his address to
college students at the Second Annual Symposium
on American Values and an
LSD conference sponsored by the University
of California. In both these
pieces the humour, the penetrating intelligence and the
masterful word-play
of Leary are brought sparkling to life.
Lots of people have heard of Leary (but many havenít actually
read him) and,
to be sure, some of his terminology and predictions are
now dated, but that
really isnít the point. The fact is this is a man
who was an explorer of a
new and rich psychedelic territory, someone who was prepared
to stand up
against the forces of awe and boredom, and someone with
a real love of life,
a celebrant of the majestic human condition.
If youíve never read any of Learyís work
this well produced volume would
be an ideal place to start. This is timeless wisdom
pumped out with 60s energy
and conviction, great stuff! óJV