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Jay Stevens
Jay Stevens is a novelist, historian, and journalist with a special
interest in states of consciousness. He is the author of Storming
Heaven: LSD and the American Dream, and co-author of Drumming at the
Edge of Magic with Grateful Dead percussionist Mickey Hart and
ethnomusicologist Fredric Lieberman. He lives most of the year on a
farm in Vermont, where he writes and continues the alchemical family
tradition of making maple syrup. At present he is finishing two
companion volumes to Storming Heaven entitled Burning Down the House
and Consciousness Wars.
Books by Jay Stevens
Storming Heaven: LSD and the American Dream (Grove Press 1998) ISBN
0-8021-3587-0
Drumming at the Edge of Magic (with Mickey Hart & Fredric Lieberman)
(1990 Harper San Francisco) ISBN 1-888358-18-1
Planet Drum: A Celebration of Percussion and Rhythm (with Mickey Hart
& Fredric Lieberman) (1998 Harper San Francisco) ISBN 1-888358-20-3
External links
Jay Stevens' website
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Storming Heaven: LSD and the American Dream (Paperback)
~ Jay Stevens
Jay Stevens (Author)
(Author) "Had you asked your average hippie about beginnings, you
would have discovered there were as many as there were hippies-
everyone had a favorite chronology..." (more)
4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
Customer Reviews
Storming Heaven: LSD and the American Dream
(34 customer reviews)
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
"Turn On" To This Fascinating Book!
I was born in 1960, so I was a little to young to appreciate the
"Summer Of Love", Haight-Ashbury and the entire late 60's counter-
culture movement. My fascination with that era began with Jimi Hendrix
and other musicians associate with it. Most of the social aspects I
was aware of were written by the "slanted" view of the media,
teachers, politicians and parents; not the...
Read the full review ›
Published on April 4, 2003 by "The Woj"
5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
A comfortably mediocre history of the 1960s
I'm at a loss to understand why everyone likes this books so much. One
guess is that that the "five star" rating reflects the weirdness and
coolness of the events portrayed rather than the history itself.
Personally, I find the historical and bibliographic breadth limited,
and the author's analysis and discussion of the events unfortunately
never gets beyond...
Published on July 3, 1999
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
"Turn On" To This Fascinating Book!, April 4, 2003
By "The Woj" (Downers Grove, IL) -
I was born in 1960, so I was a little to young to appreciate the
"Summer Of Love", Haight-Ashbury and the entire late 60's counter-
culture movement. My fascination with that era began with Jimi Hendrix
and other musicians associate with it. Most of the social aspects I
was aware of were written by the "slanted" view of the media,
teachers, politicians and parents; not the most objective of
viewpoints
When I heard about this book I picked it up ... ASAP and was not
disappointed. I will not go into lengthy discussions of this book like
other reviewers (or even spell all the words correctly). While
reading, Jay Stevens was placing me "there", "right there" where is
was all happening from Aldous Huxley, to Timothy Leary and Ken Kesey.
The story unfolds "expertly" and the characters involved are so well
described, it feels like I've met them personally.
While much of the information is public knowledge, there are many
fascinating, generally unknown tidbits: from the CIA's LSD involvement
to insights on Leary & Kesey.
Anyone who holds any interest in this subject will not be disappointed
with this book. From someone who grew up on The Brady Bunch, The
Monkees & Happy Days....this book is a definite eye opener into a
cultural wave I wish I had been riding.... so "Turn On, Tune In & Get
This Book". Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
A Fascinating History, March 2, 2001
By nonamespecified -
It seems to me, as others have said, that the discovery of LSD ranks
up there with the top scientific discoveries of the century. The mere
fact alone that there exists a substance, 50 micrograms of which,
would be sufficient to perhaps reorient your entire life and
understanding of the universe, whether or not one ever actually tries
it, is well worth remembering on those occasions when we get a little
too self-preoccupied. This book documents the history of the reactions
of various individuals as they encountered this substance through an
amazingly varied set of contexts, and through an intricately woven web
of connections. I have a mild annoyance with the book in that the
author is relentless in his effort to remain 'above it all' and
regards everything with an amused and detached air. It is a puzzling
attitude in a way. But the stories he tells are all well-crafted and
make compelling reading. His lack of reflection on the ultimate
meaning of LSD for our view of what it is to be 'normal' may be quite
intentional, but it seems to give the book an unnecessarily
superficial orientation which I found a bit strange. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
The Politics of Consciousness, January 17, 2006
By Mr Potato Head (Sierra Foothills CA) -
What if you could take a pill or otherwise ingest some substance that
would make you see your whole world totally differently than you have
seen it before? How do you think your life would change, or would you
be any different at all?
As we all know, even if we weren't there...this is a large part of
what the 1960's were about. And this book provides a window into the
web of events and players that emerged during that turbulent time in
our evolution. In my view, it presents an unbiased social history of
consciousness expanding chemistry and it's consequences on the human
mind and by extension, upon the greater society as a whole. The author
uses scenes that are vivid and intimate into the players that had
major roles in this upheaval of the status qou - Tim Leary, Allen
Ginsberg, Richard Alpert(aka. Ram Dass), Jack Kerouac, Ken Kesey,
Aldous Huxley, to name just a few. And of course, they all had their
own opinions on how the revolution was to proceed, with frequent
disagreements. There is also considerable light shed on the fact that
LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, and other compounds were being used with
considerable effectiveness within parts of the psychoanalytic
community for several years before the powers that be came in and put
them back in the box. But even if they hadn't passed laws against
these tools, it would have eventually come crashing down of it's own
weight. In the end, it was too radical a departure from the societal
norms and the movement itself had no real leaders. Leadership was
anathema to the revolution, the paradox being that authority was what
was being disempowered. The result is that the dream spiraled out of
control and we eventually ended up with Ronald Raygun as President and
we haven't quite been the same since.
The central question posed by this book seems to be: Who is the
ultimate arbiter of what you do with your consciousness? I would
suggest that if your answer involves anyone or anything outside your
self, then you are not truely free. Help other customers find the most
helpful reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
A very thorough and valuable history of the early years, May 6, 2001
By Martian Bachelor (Feminacentric America) -
This investigative tour de force covers in great detail the years from
1943 (and a little before) up through the LSD hysteria circa 1965-7.
I'm marking it down a star because of its inexplicable lack of an
index, which greatly reduces its value as a research reference --
which it surely deserves to be. There are so many biographies trying
to be told simultaneously here that it sometimes got a bit confusing.
It also tends to go off on occasional tangents, digressing at what to
me seemed like too great a length regarding some of the characters of
the story which (again) to me seemed more like minor ones not worth
the many background pages devoted to them. But those are rather small
quibbles really.
Stevens is pretty good at keeping central issues front and center as
events unfold: eg, how the psychological models evolved over time, and
the socio-political question of whether the power of this amazing
molecule was for the masses or just for the few -- both of which
became more or less moot as events over-ran things.
I liked "Acid Dreams" a microgram or two more than this book, probably
because it emphasizes cultural rather than personal history more, but
still had a difficult time putting "Storming Heaven" down for very
long. It's extremely information-rich and well-written -- it's rather
dispassionately objective while still being interesting. It would
probably only disappoint those looking for simple answers.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
It pulls all of the loose ends together, September 28, 2005
By Umberto (Kansas City) -
The author takes the reader on a fascinating journey to visit the
people, places, and cultures of the psychedelic movement. This book
contains interesting inside information about Albert Hoffman, Aldous
Huxley, Timothy Leary, Richard Alpert, Jack Kerouac, Alan Ginsberg,
Neal Cassady, Ken Kesey, Owsley, and a myriad of minor players whose
names are fading into history. The story is chronicled from the Swiss
Labs where LSD was first discovered to its legitimate use in the
psychiatric profession to the artistic salons of the 50's to Harvard
to the native villages of Mexico to Leary's temporary home at the
Millbrook mansion to Kesey's Prankster hang-out in La Honda to the
Haight-Ashbury to the streets of America. An enjoyable peek into
diverse cultures from the psychiatric clinicians to world renowned
authors and artisans to the faculty of Harvard and Berkley to pre-
Columbian mushroom cults to the Beat poets to the Hell's Angels to the
Hippies. It is The Doors of Perception, The Psychedelic Experience, On
the Road, Howl, Holy Goof, Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, and Living
with the Dead all rolled into one. Exhaustively researched, a very
entertaining read from front to back. Like the era that it chronicles,
I hated for the book to end. Help other customers find the most
helpful reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Five stars plus, January 6, 2007
By Brian P. Akers -
It is no fluke that this book has an average rating of five stars from
amazon.com readers. This is simply one of the most informative,
enjoyable and engaging presentations ever written on the subject of
hallucinogenic drugs in modern history, and how they made their way
from the obscurity of laboratories and clinical research to become a
fixture in the counterculture of the 1960's and beyond. The
complexities of the story make it a formidable challenge for any
narrator, but Stevens proves easily equal to the task. In the pages of
this book, the reader is introduced to the dramatis personae with an
immediacy as though meeting them in person. Many of the facts
discussed herein have been recounted before by many capable others.
But never have they been put into such a vivid and vibrant perspective
as this, so thorough and rich with nuance. That's important because
the depths of this story, stranger as it is than any fiction, are
where its meaning emerges most clearly. Ever since the impact of LSD
and its profound, pervasive influences on our life and times, modern
society will never be the same. And it is impossible to imagine what
popular culture would now be like without the psychedelic revolution
of the 20th century. "Storming Heaven" offers the best single account
of how and why this is so. This is a real page-turner, very difficult
to put down, and is highly recommended for the interested reader. Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Rare Insight into Drugs & Counterculture in the Postwar US, January
6, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Storming Heaven: Lsd and the American Dream
(Hardcover)
Stevens transports us to times and places that *should* be alien, and
*should* be unusual, but instead takes us into parlors, labs, music
halls, and jungles to give us what sounds and tastes like the real
poop on how, and more importantly, why a drug culture was so
ferociously and speedily born in postwar America. So real are his
profiles, and so uncharacteristically down to earth compared to the
other well known and more academic studies of the genre, that we, as
readers, can easily see and identify with why Hoffman, the Wassons,
Alpert, Leary, Huxley, et al took to these unique alkaloids in an
ongoing attempt to seek new truths, often to to validate inner
yearnings. Stevens feels like he was there, and so will you. If
nothing else, "Storming Heaven" is a great read simply because Stevens
is so very, very *on*. A must read if you are even remotely interested
in the modern drug phenomenon, with a few bonuses of drugs in history
(and theory) thrown in for good measure. I lent my copy out four years
ago, never got it back, and have since regretted it! Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
The Sixties, Microgram by Microgram, February 21, 2008
By JOHN J. MCGRAW "author of Brain & Belief" (Solana Beach, CA USA)
-
This is the definitive account of the 1960s psychedelic drug scene.
Stevens does a great job of conveying the highs and lows of LSD and
its proponents. His ability to relate endless facts while retaining a
fast-paced narrative structure is amazing. I found this one of the
most "addicting" books out there about the significance of drugs in
American culture. Stevens reviews all the major personalities: Albert
Hoffman, Timothy Leary, Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, the
Grateful Dead, Alan Watts, Jack Kerouac, Aldous Huxley, and more. If
you're interested in this electric decade, the power of psychedelics
to warp the mind, or any of the poet-prophets who were compelled to
experiment with and sing the praises of acid then this book is sure to
delight. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Quality journalistic-type writing, March 27, 2003
By Ross James Browne (Atlanta, Georgia United States) -
_Storming Heaven_ is a non-ficticious account of the history of the
spread of LSD in America and England during the 50's and 60's. It
gives detailed accounts of all of the major players in the early days
of the synthesization and distribution of this drug. It is not as
thoughtful or philosophical as I hoped, and has little to say about
the implications and nuances of the actual effects of the drug.
However, I came to accept this book for what it is, which is a matter-
of-fact description of how this drug progressed from the university
offices and laboratories to the streets of San Francisco. This book
has much to say about both the east-coast and west-coast acid scenes
of the 50's and 60's. In the east, you have Timothy Leary, Richard
Alpert, and Alan Watts, and their whole gang of weirdos hanging out in
an acid-soaked mansion in Millbrook NY. It is very interesting to read
about the(mis)adventures of these three men, all of whom (especially
Alan Watts) are gifted and accomplished writers. For those who are
fans of their work, _Storming Heaven_ is a must-read if for no other
reason than to get some idea of the formative influences of these
writers.
The west coast scene, in contrast, was less intellectual and more of a
free-for-all. Jay Stevens describes the exploits of Ken Kesey, and the
riders of his magic bus. Of course any discussion of Ken Kesey will
inevitably lead to a discussion of the Grateful Dead, and the
handiwork of their "chemist" mr. Owlsley. Stevens also covers the
involvement of the Hell's Angels in this west coast movement. All of
this makes for very entertaining, albeit light, reading.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
enthralled, February 5, 2000
By A Customer
Storming Heaven chronicles the advent of LSD (as well as many other
halucinagens) from its early days as a pharmaceutical curio to
indispensable ingredient of sixties social upheaval. In rich detail it
explains how, from the Sandoz pharmaceutical labs in Switzerland it
made its timely way to American shores where it found, in the form of
Timothy Leary, (and before him Aldous Huxley) its high priest. Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
The Battle betwen God's Flesh and Green Money, September 6, 1999
By A Customer
Segue to the end: money wins. Personal greed (or some variant of
Maslow's hierarchy) triumphs over freedom of the mind. How pure these
early pioneers of mind expansion were in their intentions. And how
naive.
What kind of society could sustain a populace of blissed-out fun-
seeking consumer bees more bent on self-discovery than on collecting
and distributing green pollen? The answer to this question posed such
a threat to the established system that what resulted was no less than
a civil war, with one side winning a smashing victory.
Life in the trenches is so boring, we need our legal opiates to blot
out the meaninglessness. How dare a group of outsiders suggest an
alternative marketing channel! What would hapen to G.M., Seagram's,
the Papal seat, and the organized crime syndicates working in the
underground economy? Better to have a bloodless revolution (well,
almost...see Chicago in 1968 and Kent State University in 1970) than
to tolerate such an open threat to income production and distribution.
This book is a fine social study that is a "must" reading for anyone
who would attempt to explain the America we live in today. Going
beneath the headlines without sounding too much like Oliver Stone
opens up other interpretations of what happened and suggests what
could have been.
If you were born between 1945 and 1965 and want to know why you and
your friends are doing this instead of that, read this book. If you
are a student of modern American history, read this book. I have read
it three time since it was first published (just finished it again),
and as a baby-boomer born in 1952, I can appreciate just how close to
the mark the author makes his shot.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
An incredible slice of modern history, November 13, 2009
By J. C. Walker (London, UK) -
Storming Heaven is a book that will forever stay dear to my heart as
it literally changed my life. I can't expect anyone else to have the
same experience I did, and it changed it in a way you probably
wouldn't imagine, but I can definitely recommend you this book and say
it is a fantastic read. Jay Stevens has written a completely non-
sensationalistic, thoroughly researched and extremely compelling
account of a chapter in modern history that has, unfortunately, become
distorted in contemporary consciousness. This book doesn't create a
rose-tinted view of the American 60's cultural revolution, but instead
unearths its roots, explores its good side and bad, and never forgets
to remain dogged in pursuit of the truth. That isn't to say that the
book is dry, far from it, this is a page-turner that will ultimately
break your heart.
The story contained within is fascinating, far broader than mere drug
experiences and filled with unforgettable characters. It is an
incredible history lesson about a recent time you probably thought you
already understood, but after reading this, will realize you didn't.
If you have any interest in modern history, American culture, or
indeed the potent chemical mentioned in the book's title, this is
*essential* reading.
It expanded my perceptions without the use of drugs, I hope it will do
the same for you. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Superb analysis of the causes of the Sixties phenomenon, June 2,
2009
By Morley Chalmers (Toronto, Ontario Canada) -
What a fabulous piece of writing Storming Heaven is! Simply superb. It
helped connect the dots on that incredible decade, the Sixties, like
nothing I've ever seen before. The rise, the cresting, and the fall.
Greatly appreciated Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Superb, August 3, 2008
By Alistair. S. Praties "Buzzardwarrior" (Edinburgh, Scotland) -
This is one of the best books I have read -certainly the best in the
category of social history. Jay Stevens has researched his material
meticulously and has delivered the narrative in a most enthralling
manner. I found it hard to lay the book down. Whether, like me, you
lived through the psychedelic experience of the sixties or you have
but a passive interest, you will be amazed to learn of the full impact
that the psychedelic culture has had on Western society, religion and
philosophy -right through to the chemical hedonism of today.
This is truly a superb read! Help other customers find the most
helpful reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Gotta throw in my five stars too-, July 1, 1999
By A Customer
Fascinating history of psychedelic drugs that weaves it's way through
pharmacology, psychiatry, academia and ends up in the middle of Haight
Street... Mr. Stevens beautifully summarizes the cultural mindset of
the 50's and 60's. What amazes me is how fast everything soured... I
can't say enough good things about this book. What a trip... Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Tune in, turn on, drop out!, March 8, 2008
By Doc Smiley (Studio City, CA USA) -
I bought this on the recommendation of Dr. Stanley Krippner in a
lecture on ayahuasca. It is absolutely the best book I have read on
the history of the psychedelic movement during the past 100 years or
so. Timothy Leary is not dead - he's only outside looking in. :-) Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
An absolute gem!, July 28, 2000
By Richard J Murphy (London) -
I loved this book. It had me gripped to it from start to finish. It
facinated, humoured and impired me. If you have any interest in this
remarkable substance and the psycho-social revolution it unleased then
buy this book. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
a missing part of american culture revealed, March 20, 2000
By Tim Shortnacy "followingthepath" (round rock, texas... just north
of austin..) - See all my reviews
if they taught this kind of history in school, I don't think i would
have ever been bored enough to draw stupid comics of stick figures
running about the pages of my notes and classwork.... a truly
inspiring journey into the souls of some truly brave people in their
journey to break on through..... Help other customers find the most
helpful reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
read this now, you are late, March 18, 2000
By A Customer
This book is a fair account of the affects and consequenses of mature
ingestion of the chemical Lysergic acid---please read thids book it is
an eye opener for the skeptic--get it in the library first if you
doubt this quick review. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Once one begins Storming Heaven one can't put it down, March 29,
1999
By A Customer
Storming Heaven is by far the most informative and comprehensive work
I have ever read about the 60's Psychdelic movement! A breathtaking
roller coaster ride down the steep inclines of the human psyche. If
this subject at all perks your interest you won't be able to put it
down! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
A Real Mind Opener, May 29, 1998
By John Walker (***@bigfoot.com) (Sheffield, UK) -
This review is from: Storming Heaven: LSD and the American Dream
(Paperback)
This is a brilliantly researched and executed book. It will change
your view on a lot of things (from religion from politics). There is a
LOT more to this book than just LSD, it is an expose on an incredible
(and misunderstood) time in recent history. This is a brilliant book.
I assure you it is worth your time and effort. Grab a copy if you ever
see it. It WILL open your mind. Help other customers find the most
helpful reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
The Best History of the Psychedelic Movement, May 26, 1996
By A Customer
This review is from: Storming Heaven: LSD and the American Dream
(Paperback)
If you read the literature on the psychedelic movement widely enough,
it can all become a bit of a jumble -- "Hey, haven't I read about this
same party in four different memoirs?" Jay Stevens does a wonderful
service by telling this incredibly complex tale with grace, economy
and clarity. He's fair, compassionate, and unlike a lot of other
people who have written about the counterculture lately, he "gets it."
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
lost history, August 22, 2007
By j0e_x (Canopus) -
This should be required reading in American History. Who knew Canada
had legal LSD centers? And the characters- Nin, Huxley, Kesey, Leary
and Capt.Al Hubbard (??). Will we ever see their like again? Really a
very sad story, and a fascinating one. Nice to see the Chief Boo Hoo,
old Art Kleps in there as well. Sen. Kennedy: "Is your title really
Chief Boo Hoo?" Art Kleps: "I'm afraid so, sir." Help other customers
find the most helpful reviews
An Exceptional Weave of an Interesting History, January 16, 2003
By Norm Zurawski (Millington, NJ United States) -
In the spirit of the subject matter, the best word to describe this
book is...cool. The author appears to have a genuine desire to
objectively explore the history, for better or worse, of LSD and its
role in American culture. Stevens does not approach this work being
for nor against LSD. He just looks. As a result, this book comes out
with flying colors...pun intended.
This book is a diamond in the rough for those who wish to take that
same exploratory approach in reading about LSD and the history of this
potent and controversial drug. It's not geared for people who are
vehemently pro/anti LSD. Preconceived notions should be checked at the
door before embarking on this adventure.
Stevens looks at LSD from its very beginnings, where characters such
as Hoffman, Osmond, and Huxley help pave the way for much of what
comes later in the book. As the narrative moves on, familiar names
such as Ginsberg, Leary, Burroughs, Kerouac, Alpert, Metzner, Kesey,
Cassady, Weil, Watts, and Wolfe, among others, enter and exit the
stage like bit actors in this great showcase. If you've ever been
enamored with the doings of any of those names, this book weaves a
pattern from threads of various legacies in one fascinating tapestry.
As a caveat to the above paragraph, none of those characters is
covered in much detail, with the exception of Timothy Leary. This is
more a result of Leary's intense involvement with the scene than
Stevens' focusing on one extraordinary character. Some of those people
(Burroughs, for instance) make very brief but interesting
appearances.
In addition to those mentioned, many unknown but intriguing characters
fill the pages of this book. More than likely, every one of them will
lead you to read on, until another name segues into the narrative.
Stevens does a great job researching this story and presenting it to
the reader in one piece.
Every time I review a book I do my best to find something which was
lacking, no matter how much I enjoyed it. In this particular case, I
have a hard time pinpointing anything to find fault with. The only
complaint I might have is that it was too short. One imagines that
pages and pages of material never made it to press and it's a shame
this book had to end where it did. I would have kept reading if it
were twice as long.
I do have to cede a point that one other reviewer makes. He comments
that the prevalence of 5 star ratings, "reflects the weirdness and
coolness of the events portrayed rather than the history itself." I do
have to lend some credence to that point and admit that this may be
true. However, as this subject matter is relatively new to me, the
book still rates 5 stars in terms of an introduction to the subject.
As a history on the subject, it's the role of the author to tell the
story, and Stevens does that well.
In all, a great read. A fascinating perspective brought to you by
someone trying to elucidate the ups and downs of LSD and the movement
it helped create. Again, this is not going to be a favorite of the pro-
LSD hippie or the anti-drug conservative. But for those of you who
want a fairly balanced, comprehensive view of the history of LSD and
how it influenced culture in America, I strongly recommend this book.
Very well done.
A trip, October 13, 2000
By Jay Stevens (Missoula, MT) -
Let's get a couple of things straight: No, I am not the author. No,
I'm not related to the author. So despite the name, I think I'm pretty
unbiased, although some might think otherwise after reading the
following glowing review of Jay Stevens' book, "Storming Heaven."
This was a great book.
Mr. Stevens tracks LSD from its inception through San Francisco's "the
Summer of Love" in late 60s. He artfully describes the discovery of
the drug and its effect on the psychologists who first used it on
their patients and on themselves. He introduces Alduous Huxley, Tim
Leary, and Ken Kesey-the pied pipers of LSD-and explains their
fascination for psychedelics. He discusses the drug's decline, its
unpopularity with government officials, its abuse by "untrained"
American kids, and the progressive marginalization of the drug's
"prophets." And all the while, Stevens skillfully gives voice to the
drug's proponents' vision of a "metal frontier" to be crossed using
LSD, pushing human beings along the evolutionary path.
It is clear from Mr. Stevens' book that LSD played a major role in the
fundamental changes wrought in the 1960s. LSD tore down personal
constructs and unveiled egos. LSD gave everyday Americans a chance to
experience mystical visions. LSD gave many new insight into the nature
of being. It was a psychological drug, and explains why most of the
social change that occurred in the 1960s was psychological in nature.
But while Mr. Stevens in his Epilogue seems to laud the continuation
of psychological exploration by a handful of "inner" explorers who use
a series of newly developed designer psychedelics, I think he
misrepresents the importance of these drugs.
First, the assumption that LSD will lead man (and woman) along the
evolutionary path assumes that this path is straight and pointed in a
forward direction. That is, that evolution is a natural process from
simple to complex, from amoebas to man and beyond. Instead, science
now concludes that evolution is more of a willy-nilly process. Species
constantly bloom a number of seemingly useless mutations, and changes
in environment conditions dictate which mutation reigns supreme. After
all, it seems that the next species to inherit the planet is likely to
be the cockroach, for the cockroach has the rigor and hardiness to
withstand the destruction of the planet by humans. And cockroaches are
hardly superior in intelligence or complexity.
Second, is the assumption that LSD can "lead" us anywhere. While LSD
gives visions, reveals fundamental truths about personality, it
doesn't change anything. It's up to the individual in the end to enact
change, to mutate. We only have to look at the example of Tim Leary to
realize this. While Mr. Leary was turned on to the drug and believed
its in therapeutic value, in the text he remained a womanizing,
upperly-mobile egoist; he just traded in his tweed for buckskin, and
academia for psychedelia.
Basically LSD is a shortcut. It's a quick-fix buzz. In that way, it's
the ideal substance for America. "Vision in a can." "Become a mystic
in 12 easy hours." I would've liked to Mr. Stevens explore this facet
of LSD a little more. But he seems to be totally enchanted with the
cosmic possibilities...
In any case, the writing is superb. It's the perfect book to read to
begin exploring the important texts of the 20th century bohemian
movement. Read this alongside "Brave New World," "One Flew Over the
Cuckoo's Nest," "On the Road," "Electric Cool-Aid Acid Test," and
"Howl," among other texts.
Technicolored Masterpiece of a Maelstrom, January 8, 2000
By Ian Hough (Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts) -
This is very likely the best book I have ever read. It gave me a taste
for any non-fiction which is written in "story" form. Jay Stevens
leads us down a realistic but picturesque garden path, stopping at
many points along the way to point out the more fascinating
individuals and descriptions of the world, created by this incredible
chemical. He quotes one voyager as saying "I was struck more by its
strangeness than its beauty." Obviously a man with some experience of
that other world, Stevens is slick as well as humane in his treatment
of what it did to a generation, and what happened to them when it was
over. From the moment Albert Hofmann accidentally ingested the stuff
in Basle, to the studious setting of Huxley's awakening, to Tim Leary
and his anti-establishment stance in the bowels of Harvard, to Allen
Ginsberg's being born again, and on into the psychological armageddon
beyond Altamont, Stevens' voice never wavers, but becomes ever
clearer, more colorful and true. I lay on a bed for two days straight
and read this big book. It was a trip, and the volume stands in a very
convenient spot on my bookshelf. It shines. Help other customers find
the most helpful reviews
Superb in every way, May 1, 1999
By A Customer
This is simply one of the greatest works of non-fiction, and I only
stop there because it's so difficult to categorize. History,
biography, science and sociology seamlessly mingle in some of the most
ecstatic -- yet not over-the-top -- prose one is likely to encounter.
This is one of those books that you are truly sad to see end, so rich
is Stevens' portrayal of a time and its remarkable characters, Leary
and Kesey foremost among them. For once a book that deserves the
epithet 'remarkable'. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
Excellent Psychedelic History, September 30, 1998
By A Customer
This book is pure information. And I cannot get enough of it. Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
A comfortably mediocre history of the 1960s, July 3, 1999
By A Customer
I'm at a loss to understand why everyone likes this books so much. One
guess is that that the "five star" rating reflects the weirdness and
coolness of the events portrayed rather than the history itself.
Personally, I find the historical and bibliographic breadth limited,
and the author's analysis and discussion of the events unfortunately
never gets beyond the obvious. A somewhat better bet is Acid Dreams by
Lee and Shlain. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
The book itself is mind-expanding!, June 18, 1999
By A Customer
Obviously, the subject of LSD is a touchy one, yet Jay Stevens'
painstaking research gains the trust of the reader early and maintains
it throughout. I am a chemist, and he describes the circumstances
surrounding the discovery of LSD perfectly. My father is a
psychologist, and he was surprised at Jay Stevens' insights into the
state of psychological research in the post-war era. This book is much
more of a social history than it is a history of LSD- I only wish Jay
Stevens would write more books. Help other customers find the most
helpful reviews
of 2 people found the following review helpful:
For those that were there and for those that were not there!, May 18,
1999
By ***@aol.com (Las Vegas, Nevada) -
An amazing compilation of the scene! If you took the psychedelic
drugs, you were blown away by what was happening. If you didn't take
the psychedelic drugs, I hope you were blown away by what was
happening. If you weren't taking the drugs and/or weren't blown away,
then read this book, it is your last chance. War, Karma, Instant
Nirvana, the nature of consciousness and mental illness...It is your
mind; examine it! Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Allowing "Generation X " to understand "Generation?", September 30,
1997
By A Customer
This review is from: Storming Heaven: Lsd and the American Dream
(Hardcover)
When generation X looks back on the past, it's easy to get the
picture. Cheech and Chong and Woodstock right? Jay Stevens who
obviously feels this stereotyping is getting out of hand, sends us 19
to 30 range on a magic carpet ride. Storming Heaven distributes the
controversial substance LSD in a form uunlike most non fiction.
Labratories and bordellos, parks and experiments come to life, while
Stevens carefully rations narcotic expertise with historical fact.
This books provides anyone wanting crystal clear perspective about LSD
as well as history in the last half century. Right down to the bicycle
ride home.(I'll let you find out) Help other customers find the most
helpful reviews
7 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
Very good but ignores many facets of certain indivuals, February 10,
2007
By Cwn_Annwn (Copenhagen, Denmark) -
This was a very good book. You get lots of interesting stuff about
Aldous Huxley, the famous beat writers, Owsley, Timothy Leary, Ken
Kesey and the evolution of the so called counterculture as a whole.
The problems that I have with Storming Heaven is not for what was in
it but what was left out. For one Stevens was WAY too easy on Timothy
Leary. The author seemed almost like a school girl with a crush when
he recounts his visit to Learys home for an interview for the book. He
comes off more as a fan than he does an objective writer at times when
he deals with Leary. Why wasn't it mentioned that it has come out that
Leary was a government informant and information he gave led to the
death of two members of the Weather Underground? Its also a known fact
that Leary was surrounded by CIA assets and there is a lot of evidence
that he was a government agent himself, and at the least he was
feeding them information.
There is also a fleeting mention that wasn't elaborated on about Ken
Kesey that he had LSD experiments done on him at Stanford by the guy
that ended up in charge of the CIAs Mkultra mind control program. This
really makes me wonder about Kesey. Its more or less accepted history
that the first LSD to get out on the street level was what Kesey stole
from the medicine chest at his job as a night shift janitor at a
mental hospital and distributed it among his elitist friends. Kesey
went from writing what was probably the best novel written during the
1960's to, while becoming a counterculture hero, never writing another
thing worth reading again. Did doing too much LSD scramble his brains
and ruin his creativity or was his creativity nullified by Mkultra
programming? Its hard to say for sure but I have to wonder if Kesey
was not under some sort of mind control or was being used by the CIA
in one way or another. There are a lot of unanswered questions in my
mind about Kesey.
They also fleetingly mention the Brotherhood of Eternal Love who were
major LSD distributors and were known to be full of CIA people and had
a close association with a Jewish man named Ron Starks who was a CIA
spook that also happened to the biggest LSD dealer in the world.
Starks was not even given the first mention in this book!
I mean with all these ivy league, Mkultra and CIA connections to the
elites of the so called counterculture I have to seriously wonder how
much of the hippy movement of the late 60's was an organic rebellion
against what was (and still is) a very repressive society both
socially and politically and how much of it was intentional social
engineering that came from the highest levels of the power structure.
Many people believe that the anti-war movement was flooded with drugs,
in particular LSD, by federal agents. Its well known that the
government tried to subvert and destroy the anti-war movement with the
cointelpro program so why wouldn't they also use drugs to try to
destroy it? While it can't be denied that LSD has enhanced many an
artist, writer and musicians work can you honestly say that sitting
around frying on acid all the time is going to do anything but disable
political activists who in many cases were in a life and death
struggle? Besides that the fact remains that many people became
permanently damaged as result of doing acid.
All that said I would definitely recomend reading or of you can get it
cheap, buying Storming Heaven. I could hardly put it down once I
started reading it. I realize that this book was more geared toward
looking into what psychelic drugs can do with the mind and its
exponents history and theories on the subject than any conspiratorial
maneuverings by the US government involving LSD but it just didn't go
deep enough into the rabbit hole for my tastes. Help other customers
find the most helpful reviews
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Entheogens: Professional Listing, April 30, 1999
By A Customer
"Storming Heaven" has been selected for listing in "Religion and
Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy".
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Rational and Irrational Beliefs: Research, Theory, and Clinical
Practice (Hardcover)
~ Daniel David (Editor), Steven Jay Lynn (Editor), Albert Ellis
(Editor)
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Ethical Educational Leadership in Turbulent Times: (Re) Solving Moral
Dilemmas (Paperback)
~ Joan Poliner Shapiro
Joan Poliner Shapiro (Author)
(Author), Steven Jay Gross (Author)
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Ethical Educational Leadership in Turbulent Times: (Re) Solving Moral
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
ethical framework, February 18, 2008
By Jolanta M. Smolen - See all my reviews
Since I'm taking a class that requires this book, it was not a free
choice of book. However, so far it's proving to be an interesting
framework for ethics in education. Help other customers find the most
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Varieties of Anomalous Experience: Examining the Scientific Evidence
(Hardcover)
~ Etzel Cardena (Editor), Steven Jay Lynn (Editor), Stanley C.
Krippner (Editor)
Key Phrases: anomalous healing experiences, strong synesthesia,
anomalous healing events, New York, Journal of Near-Death Studies,
Journal of Parapsychology (more...)
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
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Varieties of Anomalous Experience: Examining the Scientific Evidence
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59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
This book is a gem., June 19, 2000
By Sharon S. (Bethesda, MD) -
How fortunate we are to now have in one volume a comprehensive and
scholarly review of the scientific evidence for anomalous experiences.
The fascinating subject matter of this book includes such diverse
phenomena as lucid dreaming, out of body experiences, past life
experiences, and alien abduction. What makes this book different from
other treatments of some of these topics is that the authors have no
hidden agenda or viewpoint that they are trying to put forth. They are
not trying to convince you that something does or does not exist.
Instead it is an even-handed look at the available data and various
competing explanations. And even though it is a scholarly review, it
is well written, engaging, and easy-to-read. Varieties of Anomalous
Experience: Examining the Scientific Evidence belongs on the bookshelf
of anyone who has an interest in understanding and explaining these
unusual phenomena. You won't be disappointed. Help other customers
find the most helpful reviews
34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
Essential Reading on the Topic, August 7, 2002
By James S. Taylor (Scarborough, Ontario Canada) -
Books surveying anomalous experience have tended to come from the
skeptic side of the fence and have leaned toward the debunking end of
the spectrum. While they have their uses, there's always the nagging
suspicion that they might not be fair to all the evidence. While this
book isn't as easy reading as those of the skeptics, it really shoots
at being a balanced examination of the evidence, pro and con, with
intelligent discussion about where the weight of what we know falls.
Each chapter tackles one anomalous phenomenon and follows a consistant
structure. First, the experience is clearly defined so that we know
what is and is not being addressed. Then, the actual phenomenology of
the phenomenon out in the field is surveyed. Since the book is geared
toward those in the psychological and helping professions, the
emotional, physical, and mental aftereffects of having the experience
are then examined. The range of differences between experients is
presented,then issues involving psychopathology, clinical assessment,
background theories, and methodology of research are shown. Each
chapter is written by an authority on that specific phenomenon and
they provide a summation conclusion at the end where they render their
professional judgment on the topic. If you're looking for a
sensational or spooky handling of the subjects, this isn't your book;
but if you want a very level headed analysis of what is happening in
these fields of research, you need to be familiar with this work. Even
better, each chapter provides pages worth of bibliography, pro and
con, on each subject, that will keep you going for years. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Psychology and parapsychology, February 24, 2007
By Sean K. Sayers Montalvo -
Excellent book. I never thought that it could have been posible to
explain parapsychology and psychology in the light of each other. It
has been a great text book for one of my courses. It has helped to
create a more in depth vision of the relationship between both areas.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Look No Further, Seek No Other;, March 24, 2004
By A Customer
What a delight, I first became interested in the paranormal and this
weird stuff after reading Jerry D. Coleman's "Strange Highways" and
was very glad to see that another book such as "Varieties of Anomalous
Experience" could be on the same tone, meaning, well written,
informative and most important left up to me to decide and draw my own
conclusions! Great book, a wonderful read! Help other customers find
the most helpful reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Varieties of Anomalous Experience., February 23, 2009
By New Age of Barbarism "zosimos" (EVROPA.) -
_Varieties of Anomalous Experience: Examining the Scientific
Evidence_, first published in 2000 by the American Psychological
Association, and edited by psychologists Etzel Cardena, Steven Jay
Lynn, and Stanley Krippner is a collection of various essays examining
experiences which may be classified as "anomalous" from the
perspective of psychological science. The title for this book is
derived from a similar book written by the famous psychologist and
philosopher William James entitled _The Varieties of Religious
Experience_ which examined varieties of religious experience from the
perspective of a psychologist. This book considers anomalous
experience to be defined as "an uncommon experience (e.g. synesthesia)
or one that, although it may be experienced by a substantial amount of
the population (e.g., experiences interpreted as telepathic), is
believed to deviate from ordinary experience or from the usually
accepted explanations of reality." Anomalous experiences are thus
considered in light of "unusual people", parapsychological phenomena,
altered states of consciousness, and psychopathology or abnormal
psychology, and in terms of various cultural factors. In the current
culture, there is widespread mention of such experiences (through for
example such television programs as _The X-Files_) and in the past
science has frequently taken a hostile view to such experiences,
arguing for skepticism. This book however is unique in that all
viewpoints including non-skeptical ones are given a full hearing.
Also, many of the articles that appear in this book take a sympathetic
approach to non-skeptical interpretations of anomalous experiences.
This first article to appear in this book is entitled "Introduction:
Anomalous Experiences in Perspective" by the editors Etzel Cardena,
Steven Jay Lynn, and Stanley Krippner. This article defines the terms
"anomalous" and "anomalous experience" and provides an understanding
of what is meant by such experiences. It then provides a history of
the study of anomalous experiences and provides some detailed critique
of investigations into such topics as parapsychology. Then appears the
outline for the chapters in the book and finally the purpose of the
book mentioning reasons why one might study anomalous experiences and
concluding that a psychology that takes the challenge of William James
to build a comprehensive study of human experience must also examine
those experiences which may be considered anomalous.
Section I of this book is entitled "Conceptual and Methodological
Issues". The first article in this section is entitled "Anomalous
Experiences, Peculiarity, and Psychopathology" by Howard Berenbaum,
John Kerns, and Chitra Raghavan and considers the role of peculiarity
and psychopathology and their possible relationships to those who have
anomalous experiences. The second article is entitled "Methodological
Issues in the Study of Altered States of Consciousness and Anomalous
Experiences" by Ronald J. Pekala and Etzel Cardena and provides an
examination of some methodological issues in the study of altered
states of consciousness and anomalous experiences including
phenomenological and psychophenomenological approaches to these
issues. The authors conclude this article with some recommendations
for researchers.
Section II of this book is entitled "Anomalous Experiences". Each of
the articles in this section consider a different type of anomalous
experience. They consider these experiences in terms of human
differences, cultural factors, and psychopathology. They also provide
various explanations and theories of these experiences considering
both skeptical and non-skeptical interpretations and offering reasons
that support each of these theories. This section contains several
useful and interesting articles that offer a truly open-minded
approach to anomalous experiences that takes these experiences
seriously (while in the past they may have been taken less than
seriously by prior researchers). The articles included in this section
are:
"Hallucinatory Experiences" by Richard P. Bentall,
"Synesthesia" by Lawrence E. Marks,
"Lucid Dreaming" by Stephen LaBerge and Jayne Gackenbach,
"Out-of-Body Experiences" by Carlos S. Alvarado,
"Psi-Related Experiences" by Elisabeth Targ, Marilyn Schlitz, and
Harvey J. Irwin,
"Alien Abduction Experiences" by Stuart Appelle, Steven Jay Lynn, and
Leonard Newman,
"Past-Life Experiences" by Antonia Mills and Steven Jay Lynn,
"Near-Death Experiences" by Bruce Greyson,
"Anomalous Healing Experiences" by Stanley Krippner and Jeanne
Achterberg,
"Mystical Experience" by David M. Wulff.
These articles provide interesting studies of various anomalous
experiences that may not fit into previous scientific or religious
understandings of reality. In particular, for example psi-related
phenomena challenge current scientific understandings and near-death
experiences offer the possibility of the survival of human personality
after death. As such, these experiences prove highly interesting and
this book offers a truly open-minded approach from the perspective of
psychology that examines such experiences. For too long, modern
science has conveniently ignored or tried to deny such experiences and
it is precisely for this reason that this book serves as such a
valuable contribution. This book offers one of the unique studies on
such experiences from the perspective of mainstream modern psychology
and is published by the APA, the main organ of mainstream psychology.
As such, this book gives some legitimacy to experiences and theories
that have previously been ignored or denied. As the editors maintain
however, if one is to offer a comprehensive psychology as William
James suggested, then one must provide a study of all human experience
including those experiences which are deemed anomalous. This book
offers exactly such a study.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Serious, trustworth writing., February 15, 2010
By Vanessa Corredato (São Paulo, BR) -
This book was written by well-known researchers. It is a recognized
textbook in the field and expresses serious, trustworth opinions.
Highly recommended. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
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Texts and Contexts (4th Edition) (Paperback)
~ Steven Jay Lynn (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Texts and Contexts (4th Edition)
1 Review
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Clever but too simplfied, July 2, 2007
By Lit. Prof. (Lima, Ohio) -
I assigned this book in an undergraduate course that included an
introduction to critical theory. The book is cleverly written and is
intended to be accessible. It features sample analyses for each of the
theoretical approaches, and keeps things light with occasional jokes
and cartoons, which help keep theory from being intimidating. Indeed,
the book is frequently entertaining. It outlines six major schools of
literary criticism (New Criticism, Reader-Response, Deconstruction,
Psychological criticism and gender criticism), and the chapters are
well-organized. The front cover features a useful set of summaries for
each approach: its assumptions, practices, and typical questions. All
this is good. I found, however, that the book is so intent on
summarizing the theories briefly and clearly that it oversimplifies
and leaves out important points. I therefore found myself filling in
the gaps and sending my students to supplementary readings from other
textbooks that I had NOT adopted and had instead put on reserve as
supplementary readings (Lois Tyson's Critical Theory Today and Charles
Bressler's Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Literary Theory and
Practice). So I'm back to looking for a text for my class. I would
recommend Lynn's book as a back-up (the way I used Tyson and Bressler)
and as brush-up reading for people who already have some background in
theory. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology (Paperback)
~ Scott O. Lilienfeld Phd (Editor), Steven Jay Lynn Phd (Editor),
Jeffrey M. Lohr Phd (Editor) "As Bob Dylan wrote, "The times they are
a-changin'..." (more)
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Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology
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36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
Well researched, balanced, and provocative, January 31, 2003
By Eric G. Mart (Manchester, NH United States) -
This review is from: Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology
(Hardcover)
This edited volume contains chapters which provide critical analysis
of a variety of important subjects in clinical psychology. Lillienfeld
et al take a hard look at general issues such as diagnosis and
treatment as well as specific issues including New Age treatments for
psychological disorders and tests and personality measures. It also
examines other subjects such as controversial interventions for ADHD,
trauma and autism. The book will spark a great deal of argument and
some outrage, since there are a lot of oxen and sacred cows being
gored therein. But it is long past time that the yawning chasm between
science and clinical practice was addressed, and this volume does an
admirable job. I recommend this book to all thoughtful clinicans, as
well as general readers with an interest in clinical psychology. Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
Well written, but may be missing something., December 27, 2006
By Bookworm -
This review is from: Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology
(Hardcover)
As a psychologist who is aware of some of the questionable research
and clinical practices in psychology I read this book with interest.
Many of the chapters were interesting and the criticisms valid. I was
disappointed, however, that a book that claims to debunk pseudoscience
seemed to have a major blindspot. For example Waschbusch and Hill's
chapter examines treatments for ADHD without reference to the
controversy that exists about the validity of ADHD as a
neurobiological syndrome. There is debate about the unscientific
manner in which groups of nonspecifc behaviours are named as
syndromes, in the absence of any physical evidence. Discussing
treatments for these "disorders" without mentioning this at all seems
a glaring oversight in a book that devotes so much attention to issues
of diagnosis and assessment and claims to expose pseudosicence. It
hardly takes courage or insight to criticise the fringe elements, but
what about blatant pseudoscientific practices carried out by
mainstream psychologists? Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Timely exploration of controversial topics, November 1, 2006
By Karen Franklin "Forensic Psychologist" (El Cerrito, CA, USA)
-
Why do clinicians keep practicing forms of therapy that lack
scientific support?
This edited book explores the widening gap between scientists and
practitioners in the field of clinical psychology. It covers many of
the most pressing controversies surrounding diagnosis, treatment
methods, specific disorders, and the self-help movement.
It is well written and exceptionally balanced. I recommend it highly
to my clinical psychology graduate students, but I think it is also
valuable for practicing clinicians and for other people who are
interested in the specific topics covered, including recovered memory
therapy, autism treatment, ADHD, new age therapies, multiple
personality disorder (aka dissociative identity disorder), trauma
treatment, herbal antidepressants, and - one of my favorite chapters -
substance abuse recovery. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Clarity, November 6, 2006
By A. Montgomery (Victoria, Australia) -
Although largely aware of the plethora of pseudoscientific nonsence
that besets the field of mental health, it is very refreshing to have
this collation of information brought together in one volume. As a
clinical psycholgist I am confronted daily by people who have been
referred to purveyors of unscientific, and often damaging,
"interventions". All too frequently, these people have been referred
to such snake-oil sellers by mental health professionals -
psychologists, psychaitrists, medical doctors etc. This book, and
hopefully further editions of it, should be compulsory reading for
everyone seeking to work in the mental health and forensic fields.
Only by truly embracing scientific methodology and an unremitting
scepticism can we hope to move forward in understanding mental health
and criminal problems. Our patients, their families, and the public
deserve no less.
Alex Montgomery
Clinical Psychologist
Victoria, Australia Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
32 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
A must read, March 15, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology
(Hardcover)
I am finishing my Ph.D. in psychology this year, and this is a
definate read for anyone in the field, espececially those who are
considering persuing a career in psych. This book has confimed my long-
standing fears as a graduate student: That there is much non-science
in the field of psych and the profession is openly hostile to those
that say so, while at the same time donning the semantically garb of
"scientist". The truth is there is very little science in psych these
days, and it is psychology's "dirty little secret". Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
15 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
A Must Read for People on Both Sides, February 6, 2004
By Monica Pignotti (Tallahassee, FL, United States) -
This review is from: Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology
(Hardcover)
In the preface, the editors noted that this book will make a lot of
people angry, especially proponents of the therapies being critiqued
in this book. While this is undoubtedly true for many such proponents,
I think it would be a serious mistake for such people to dismiss what
is being said in this book. I am one of the top practitioners of
Thought Field Therapy and found this book to be of tremendous value
and feel gratitude, not anger towards its authors. Having explored
many of the controversial, new therapies, I know better than anyone
the pitfalls and hazards of drifting into pseudoscience and quite
frankly, have repeatedly been dismayed at what I have seen in terms of
a complete inability to engage in critical thinking on the part of
many people involved in the endless array of "alternative" therapies.
Much of the problem, I believe, comes from ignorance of the principles
outlined in this book. The list of features of pseudosciences is
especially helpful and should be read and carefully considered by all
proponents of unconventional approaches. In this way, as Carl Sagan
puts it, "deep truths can be winnowed from deep nonsense". This book
should be required reading in graduate schools, as well as courses
that train people in any of these controversial, new approaches and I
intend to incorporate this into what I teach. Help other customers
find the most helpful reviews
10 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
The "James Randi" of Psychology, April 24, 2005
By S. W. Helms "Professor of Psychology" (San Ramon, CA) -
Lilienfield does a bang-up job debunking some of the long-held myths
in Clinical Psychology. Don't allow that to lead you to conclusion
that this book is about bashing the Science of Psychology, however!
Clinical Psychology is something quite different from the evidence-
based side of the field, and this book illustrated that it is infested
with more pseudo-science than science. That's partly because such a
large percentage of the public has no critical thinking skills, and
cannot see the difference between self-help nonsense and real science.
Lilienfield does a good job helping us start on the road toward
discerning the snake oil from the medicine.
It's almost laughable that one reviewer showers this book with
accolades while also touting herself as a top expert in yet another
pseudo-scientific "therapy," Thought Field Therapy. Lilienfield et al.
actually cover that idiocy in this marvelous book, pointing out that
there's no such thing as "thought fields," and no validity to the
notion that TFT has any effect on mental or physical health! Like the
great Investigator of the Supernatural, James Randi, Scott O.
Lilienfield will be very busy writing new editions of this useful
book. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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Classics of Organization Theory (Paperback)
~ Jay M. Shafritz (Author), J. Steven Ott (Author), Yong Suk Jang
(Author)
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50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: Shattering Widespread
Misconceptions about Human Behavior (Paperback)
~ Scott O. Lilienfeld (Author), Steven Jay Lynn (Author), John Ruscio
(Author), Barry L. Beyerstein (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
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Customer Reviews
50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: Shattering Widespread
Misconceptions about Human Behavior
11 Reviews
5 star: (8)
4 star: (2)
3 star: (0)
2 star: (0)
1 star: (1)
(11 customer reviews)
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
A must-have mythbuster!
After reading the editorial reviews on this book, I decided to
purchase a copy. It is a treasure trove of examples of behavior and
myths that we believe to be true - but are actually false. Written by
psychologists and based on science, this book describes the most
common myths that people hold about a variety of human experiences.
For example, does handwriting reveal...
Read the full review ›
Published 4 months ago by Reader
› See more 5 star, 4 star reviews
28 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
superficial and misleading
Unfortunately this book is a rather sad attempt to "bust" some events
that psychologists and psychiatrists currently disagree about. both
sides can raise literature that supports their viewpoint. Novices
lacking substantial experience can easily be misled by some statements
contained here that are in themselves inaccurate and poorly analyzed.
Take for example hypnosis...
Read the full review ›
Published 27 days ago by royal see
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
A must-have mythbuster!, October 3, 2009
By Reader "NY" (New York) -
After reading the editorial reviews on this book, I decided to
purchase a copy. It is a treasure trove of examples of behavior and
myths that we believe to be true - but are actually false. Written by
psychologists and based on science, this book describes the most
common myths that people hold about a variety of human experiences.
For example, does handwriting reveal your personality? Does playing
Mozart to infants boost their intelligence? Do opposites attract? Is
the polygraph really an accurate means of detecting dishonesty? If you
think the answer to any of these questions, is "yes," you need to read
this book. I couldn't put it down as I went from myth to myth learning
about the facts based on science versus the myths we have believed for
decades. I agree with the reviewer who says that this is a much-needed
mythbuster for consumers. Easy-to-read and fascinating facts! I
couldn't put it down. Highly recommended, a must-have mythbuster! Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
Timely publication!, October 12, 2009
By David K. Hogberg (Albion, MI) -
Although I have been long retired from teaching (psychology), Scott's
book makes me wish to return to the classroom. There can never be too
much urging to become or remain critical in one's thinking about the
outlandish claims that've been made over the years about what
psychology is not. I recommend 50 Great Myths to people who have read
only little or a lot about what people do when they behave. DKH
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
Instant Classic, November 6, 2009
By Jerry Haeffel (Notre Dame, IN) -
There are now two books that every psychology undergraduate (and
graduate) student should be required to read and own -- Stanovich's
"How to Think Straight about Psychology" and this book. This book is a
ray of hope during a (frightening) time when subjective experience is
favored over objective/empirical data. Chalk one up for science. Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Psychology 101 Redux, November 30, 2009
By Brandon Schultz -
There are two very impressive aspects of this book: 1) the types of
"myths" that the authors tackle, and 2) the quality of their
literature reviews. On the first point, I was excited to see the
authors make strong evidence-based critiques of the Alcoholics
Anonymous model of addictions treatment, the long-term effects of
childhood sexual abuse, the autism 'epidemic,' and others. It would
have been easy to write another 'skeptics diary' of obvious
psychomythology (e.g., phrenology, ESP, etc), but the authors really
stick their necks out in some instances. On the second point, the
authors' conclusions are well-supported by the research they cite. As
a school psychologist, I was impressed to see a very thoughtful
handling of the research on so-called 'learning styles,' for example.
I've not seen a better handling of this topic in any book meant for
mass consumption, and this section alone was worth the purchase. So
overall, I would describe the book as a very well-written Psychology
101 Redux that debunks a lot of common misconceptions.
However, I would take issues with a few of the "Other Myths to
Explore" at the end of the chapters, which could be easily
misinterpreted. For example, on page 63 the authors claim that
"children with extremely high IQs have much higher levels of creative
accomplishment in adulthood than other children." While this is
generally correct, it ignores research showing that 'extremely' high
IQs do not predict the next Einsteins or Lincolns. In Lewis Terman's
famous study, his high IQ group did very well into adulthood, but not
up to Terman's predictions of greatness--in fact, most turned out to
be very average adults. Such 'nuggets' at the end of the chapters are
a little too concise, and this is why I give the book 4 stars rather
than 5.
And if the authors are reading, I recommend the following myths for
future editions:
Stimulant use in childhood increases the risk of addictions in
adulthood
ADHD is caused by video games and excessive television viewing
It is easy for criminals to fake mental retardation in order to avoid
the death penalty
Boys are more aggressive than girls
"Wilderness Programs" are highly effective for juvenile delinquents
The DARE program is very effective in reducing/preventing drug use
Adolescents with jobs are less likely than their unemployed peers to
engage in risky behavior
Child abuse is much more common now than ever before
I could go on, but I'll stop there. The point is, even though
psychology is a 'soft science,' there are issues around which
consensus has been built. Yet, many misonceptions still exist. Indeed,
many readers unfamiliar with the field may find some of the authors'
conclusions controversial (autism and the MMR vaccine leaps to mind),
but the research evidence to the contrary is very compelling. This
book does a great job explaining how. Help other customers find the
most helpful reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
What we might want to believe, February 2, 2010
By Edward M. Freeman "Ioannis Edward M. Freeman" (Miami, Florida)
-
Myths, like memory, can reconstruct events for ceremony and solace. In
its cultural or religious sense, myth can serve as transformer. That
is not the sense of myth utilized in this book.
In this book, a myth is a false and misleading conclusion, which urban
legend supports despite evidence to the contrary. The purpose of this
book is to present evidence to the contrary, still encouraging readers
to decide for themselves. I appreciated an authorial tone of respect
for readers throughout the book. Along the way, however, the book does
more. It also questions the motives of myth extenders--the people who
benefit by keeping the myths alive.
Hapless myth extenders for 50 urban legends have been exposed. Of
course, some of these myth extenders have built empires on charisma
and mumbo-jumbo. However, who among us has never been an unwitting
accomplice to the charade? Not I.
I have participated by having made conjectures contrary with myths
that these esteemed authors collected, analyzed and exposed in this
book. After I had become aware that I should check my sources before I
spoke a next time, I should have identified a questionable conclusion
with more scruple in speech. The value of this book in my opinion is
that it collects 50 prominent myths, and raises sufficient caution in
evidence that the book taught me academic humility again. Evidence
speaks louder than charisma and mumbo-jumbo.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
A must read book for all intelligent people, November 25, 2009
By D. Gerzon (Paramus, NJ United States) -
I want to say that this book was like a breath of fresh air in the
ocean of "garbage" that is constantly unleashed on all of us in today.
It seems that almost anybody with access to a computer can write a
book today with dubious claims that takes time and efforts to avoid.
So it was with great pleasure that when I finally got my hands on this
book I felt once again that there are still healthy and sane people
around me who do care for scientific facts. I got recommendation for
this book from newsletter sent by Stephen Barrett, M.D from [...] and
as always I was not disappointed.
You would think that books like that would become a must read not only
for adults but for teens and young adults who just start their lives
and are very receptive to all this popular psychology that flies
around. I would insist that both my children (8 and 13) read this book
and discuss it with us. It's very important for us as parents to teach
our children to be able to distinguish the pop-psychology from
scientific facts. But most importantly I want my children to
understand that some of those myths can be not so innocent and can
create real damage.
So 5 stars for this book are well deserved. Thank you. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
A dose of science, February 1, 2010
By Max Polun (Hamilton, NJ USA) -
All too often the popular perception of psychology has been clouded by
a great many myths, misconceptions and outright falsehood. This book
give a dose of what the current mainstream scientific views are on a
great number of subjects (the 50 myths are just the ones that are
explained, each chapter has a list of short items that are given 1
sentence answers). The book honestly points out where legitimate
controversy still exists, but most of the myths discussed are not
particularly controversial. The only thing keeping it from perfection
is a somewhat dry style, that may keep it from being the best for the
general audience.
A good read for anyone with an interest in science or psychology, but
not necessarily any formal psychological training. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Required Reading1, December 23, 2009
By D. Flaten -
This book should be required reading for anyone currently or proposing
to go into education. It forces us to take another look at current
misconceptions that may affect our teaching and other educational
services. Every statement is supported by research. The book included
an extensive list of sources. Read it slowly and enjoy. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
A fine pick for any psychology collection, January 12, 2010
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) -
50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology offers both students of
psychology and consumers a fine book discussing science and everyday
psychology. It offers facts and pinpoints fallacies about psychology,
debunking popular myths and presenting evidence that also explains why
people come to believe in these falsehoods. It's a fine pick for any
psychology collection. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
28 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
superficial and misleading, January 26, 2010
By royal see "roman" (missoula) -
Unfortunately this book is a rather sad attempt to "bust" some events
that psychologists and psychiatrists currently disagree about. both
sides can raise literature that supports their viewpoint. Novices
lacking substantial experience can easily be misled by some statements
contained here that are in themselves inaccurate and poorly analyzed.
Take for example hypnosis. While hypnosis does not register as delta
wave sleep or even rem sleep, yet anyone who has deep experience with
the phenomenon knows that it is not alpha nor beta wave wakefulness as
wakefulness is normally defined. in fact deeper hypnotic states
contain more theta waves akin to deep meditative states that are not
sleep yet are not exactly normal wakefulness. hundreds of EEGS have
been conducted on hypnotized and deeply meditating subjects that show
little alpha or beta.this is enough to bust the mythbusters myth. Then
again when hypnosis is properly conducted with the right subject the
bodily physiological changes and heightened susceptibility to
suggestions is unmistakable. While people may snap out of a deep state
if asked to violate a personal value, yet with proper manipulation
people can do rather strange things they would normally never do.
Lets bust another of this silly books myths.The book claims that anger
is not too helpful and it is but a catharsis.It seems that whoever
wrote this does not exactly seem to comprehend that anger is a
biological evolutionary organismic state that serves a function in
most common species.While some individuals use anger as a defense
against deeper hurts in an inappropriate and sometimes unhealthy
manner, i speak of rage-aholics who derive no benefit from raging
other than a "catharsis",...yet for many others expressing anger can
constitute a breakthrough in their healing.The expression needs to be
expressed in a non harmful way perhaps in one's privacy or in session
away from the target of the anger. When expressed genuinely and as a
reaction to some hurt or neglect or other abuse, anger will no longer
be a "catharsis" per se rather it will be a well formed well expressed
affect, emotion or feeling in therapy jargon and it can have a healing
effect especially if connected to the underlying hurt.
Another myth this book creates is the view that memory is only
reconstructive and hence the implication is that it most probably is
tainted by later cognitions perceptions and errors. This smells to me
like the unholy controversy about uncovered or repressed memories.
This controversy is not scientific and never was. Anyone who has
worked deeply with simple and traumatic memories recognizes that BOTH
kinds of memories are available either via visual remembrances or body
movement in addition to the more common verbal thought memories.
Moreover any scientifically disciplined worker with memory research
will tell you that while reconstructive memories may be prone to
interferences and errors yet other deeper memories are almost like
recordings. One of my patients uncovered a conversation with her
deceased dad at age two or so where he tells here about a suitcase
buried under a sofa in the old house that was currently occupied by a
relative. The patient had enough courage to check her revelation, took
permission to look at the recalled location and found a case with
parting letters to her explaining the conditions of her adoption. a
letter to an uncle, a handgun and 2 kilos of gold jewelry belonging to
her deceased at birth mother! The woman had no previous recollection
of any of this at any point in her life. she was in her early forties
when this emerged. I provide this as one of dozens of anecdotes in
only one practice,where the patient rediscovered verbatim previously
unknown things. A male patient in his thirties wailing non verbally in
terror and contorting his body in typical birth movements of the legs
torso head and neck pointed to his temples suggesting pain there
accompanying the deep fear. After working with him for a while ,he
relaxed and reached a closure but was not sure what his body was
reliving. He was asked to have his mother call me. asked about a
complicated delivery , she was stunned affirming that the head would
simply not emerge for painfully excessive stretches of time. She asked
how i had known and and was surprised even further when asked if
forceps extraction had been used extensively.Again she was stunned and
admitted that no one knew this but the forceps had been used very
intensely and the baby had almost died , that he cried constantly for
over a week. To any clinician experienced enough to recognize a body -
expressed memory, this would be a bullet through the heart of this
book's memory myth. We have just busted the busters again. And to nail
the coffin of that myth ,there is EEG work plus SPECT scan imaging
showing unusual and uncommon brainwave and brain activity patterns
when deep accurate memories emerge indicating a special theta -delt-
beta combination of brainwaves when this happens, a highly unusual
mixture in perfectly normal brained people who are actually re living
mind and body an old usually traumatic situation.
I highly recommend the title"pseudoscience in biological psychiatry"
in addition to "the love that wasnt" and "blaming the brain" amongst
other works to allow the layman and the serious and aspiring therapist
not to be mislead by superficial attempts like this reviewed title
sometime making sweeping statements based on one or two measly studies
to attempt to disprove perhaps a hundred years of solid clinical
experience. Rather sad. I will use an example from nutrition to
demonstrate that studies are deceptive and frequently twisted to back
up ones own subjective opinion. In the case of vitamin C, one pathetic
study came out saying that 200 milligrams daily was more than enough
and another said that 500 is the redline for humans. The media ran
this one disparaging study and people started fearing vitamin C. What
the foolish media did not tell everyone was that there were upwards of
13000 (that's correct thirteen thousand ) studies globally
demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of vitamin C for humans
including megadoses of 10-20000mgs per day and even more if given IV.
Interestingly, a sober statistical research of scientific and medical
articles showed that in only a few years after publication and
universal acceptance as scientific truths, approximately 60 percent
prove to be worthless,either outright faked or erroneous in execution
and interpretation.60 percent of what science and medicine believe
today will metamorphose into worthless garbage in a few years.
Shamefully sad. i believe this book is one of these silly superficial
books that may mean good and sounds scientific here and there but in
the end tends to propagate its own myths. I fear the emperor has no
clothes!
To be fair ,my evaluation was based on partial reading of the contents
and thus the book may possibly contain some acceptable material along
with this gibberish that i found myself forced to comment about. Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Very interesting, November 14, 2009
By Diana "dazed and confused" (Las Vegas, nv USA) - See all my
reviews
This is written in more of a textbook style and not for the pop
psychology reader. It has a lot of very useful information. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
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Classics of Organization Theory (Paperback)
~ J. Steven Ott (Author, Editor), Jay M. Shafritz
Jay M. Shafritz (Author, Editor)
3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews
(8 customer reviews)
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Customer Reviews
Classics of Organization Theory
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
Delivers what it says....
I used this book (actually the 3rd edition) in preparing for my
comprehensive exams for my master's degree. The title is descriptive.
The book is short excerpts of key writings on the organization theory.
The selection of readings is appropriate. The only complaint I have is
that sometimes I wished I had the complete book in question! On the
other hand, some of this stuff...
Read the full review ›
Published on March 14, 2000 by M. Broderick
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Boring
This is a very boring and dry read. The print is small and the
chapters are long. I had a hard time reading even portions of this.
Get it at the library if you have to read this book for a class.
Published 11 months ago by Rick
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
Delivers what it says...., March 14, 2000
By M. Broderick "mikebinok" (Oklahoma City, OK USA) -
I used this book (actually the 3rd edition) in preparing for my
comprehensive exams for my master's degree. The title is descriptive.
The book is short excerpts of key writings on the organization theory.
The selection of readings is appropriate. The only complaint I have is
that sometimes I wished I had the complete book in question! On the
other hand, some of this stuff is really dry. If you are pursuing the
field in an academic way, this is a valuable book. But I can't imagine
reading it for enjoyment or idle curioisity. Help other customers find
the most helpful reviews
Somewhat Boring, but Necessary, November 20, 2009
By Lakeesha L. Washington "LLW" (CA) -
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
The first 45 pages of this book were extremely BORING! Once you get
through them, the rest of the book is a pretty good read. Make sure
you read the introduction to each chapter and article. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
Org Mgt, November 16, 2009
By S. Wise -
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
This book is the same book that was suggested on my syllabus for my
graduate Management Theory class, but was a whole lot cheaper online!
It arrived in a very timely mannner - and its soft cover!
The introductons are the best because it overs a clear overview of the
each section - some of the outdated writing of the articles can be a
bit tough to read through - so the intro's help a lot. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
Dense, but well worth the read, October 30, 2009
By Wordworm -
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
If you want to know what was, and how we got to where we are today,
you'll get that with this book. I've been in public administration for
about 10 years. It's providing me with some great ah-ha's. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
great transaction, September 22, 2009
By Robin M. Wagner - See all my reviews
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
I received exactly what I was hoping for and it was delivered quickly.
Highly recommend. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Boring, March 23, 2009
By Rick -
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
This is a very boring and dry read. The print is small and the
chapters are long. I had a hard time reading even portions of this.
Get it at the library if you have to read this book for a class. Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Good reference book, June 29, 2008
By Gordon J. Brenner -
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
I have used this as a required textbook for one class, and referred to
the articles and references numerous times over the years. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
dull, dull, dull, April 16, 2007
By Monica (Campbell, CA, USA) -
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
Had to slog through this book for an OB class, never did see the
relevance. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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...and I am Sid Harth
Jay Stevens is a novelist, historian, and journalist with a special
interest in states of consciousness. He is the author of Storming
Heaven: LSD and the American Dream, and co-author of Drumming at the
Edge of Magic with Grateful Dead percussionist Mickey Hart and
ethnomusicologist Fredric Lieberman. He lives most of the year on a
farm in Vermont, where he writes and continues the alchemical family
tradition of making maple syrup. At present he is finishing two
companion volumes to Storming Heaven entitled Burning Down the House
and Consciousness Wars.
Books by Jay Stevens
Storming Heaven: LSD and the American Dream (Grove Press 1998) ISBN
0-8021-3587-0
Drumming at the Edge of Magic (with Mickey Hart & Fredric Lieberman)
(1990 Harper San Francisco) ISBN 1-888358-18-1
Planet Drum: A Celebration of Percussion and Rhythm (with Mickey Hart
& Fredric Lieberman) (1998 Harper San Francisco) ISBN 1-888358-20-3
External links
Jay Stevens' website
This article about a United States writer of non-fiction is a stub.
You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e
This American novelist article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by
expanding it. v • d • e
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Stevens
Storming Heaven: LSD and the American Dream (Paperback)
~ Jay Stevens
Jay Stevens (Author)
(Author) "Had you asked your average hippie about beginnings, you
would have discovered there were as many as there were hippies-
everyone had a favorite chronology..." (more)
4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
Customer Reviews
Storming Heaven: LSD and the American Dream
(34 customer reviews)
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
"Turn On" To This Fascinating Book!
I was born in 1960, so I was a little to young to appreciate the
"Summer Of Love", Haight-Ashbury and the entire late 60's counter-
culture movement. My fascination with that era began with Jimi Hendrix
and other musicians associate with it. Most of the social aspects I
was aware of were written by the "slanted" view of the media,
teachers, politicians and parents; not the...
Read the full review ›
Published on April 4, 2003 by "The Woj"
5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
A comfortably mediocre history of the 1960s
I'm at a loss to understand why everyone likes this books so much. One
guess is that that the "five star" rating reflects the weirdness and
coolness of the events portrayed rather than the history itself.
Personally, I find the historical and bibliographic breadth limited,
and the author's analysis and discussion of the events unfortunately
never gets beyond...
Published on July 3, 1999
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
"Turn On" To This Fascinating Book!, April 4, 2003
By "The Woj" (Downers Grove, IL) -
I was born in 1960, so I was a little to young to appreciate the
"Summer Of Love", Haight-Ashbury and the entire late 60's counter-
culture movement. My fascination with that era began with Jimi Hendrix
and other musicians associate with it. Most of the social aspects I
was aware of were written by the "slanted" view of the media,
teachers, politicians and parents; not the most objective of
viewpoints
When I heard about this book I picked it up ... ASAP and was not
disappointed. I will not go into lengthy discussions of this book like
other reviewers (or even spell all the words correctly). While
reading, Jay Stevens was placing me "there", "right there" where is
was all happening from Aldous Huxley, to Timothy Leary and Ken Kesey.
The story unfolds "expertly" and the characters involved are so well
described, it feels like I've met them personally.
While much of the information is public knowledge, there are many
fascinating, generally unknown tidbits: from the CIA's LSD involvement
to insights on Leary & Kesey.
Anyone who holds any interest in this subject will not be disappointed
with this book. From someone who grew up on The Brady Bunch, The
Monkees & Happy Days....this book is a definite eye opener into a
cultural wave I wish I had been riding.... so "Turn On, Tune In & Get
This Book". Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
A Fascinating History, March 2, 2001
By nonamespecified -
It seems to me, as others have said, that the discovery of LSD ranks
up there with the top scientific discoveries of the century. The mere
fact alone that there exists a substance, 50 micrograms of which,
would be sufficient to perhaps reorient your entire life and
understanding of the universe, whether or not one ever actually tries
it, is well worth remembering on those occasions when we get a little
too self-preoccupied. This book documents the history of the reactions
of various individuals as they encountered this substance through an
amazingly varied set of contexts, and through an intricately woven web
of connections. I have a mild annoyance with the book in that the
author is relentless in his effort to remain 'above it all' and
regards everything with an amused and detached air. It is a puzzling
attitude in a way. But the stories he tells are all well-crafted and
make compelling reading. His lack of reflection on the ultimate
meaning of LSD for our view of what it is to be 'normal' may be quite
intentional, but it seems to give the book an unnecessarily
superficial orientation which I found a bit strange. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
The Politics of Consciousness, January 17, 2006
By Mr Potato Head (Sierra Foothills CA) -
What if you could take a pill or otherwise ingest some substance that
would make you see your whole world totally differently than you have
seen it before? How do you think your life would change, or would you
be any different at all?
As we all know, even if we weren't there...this is a large part of
what the 1960's were about. And this book provides a window into the
web of events and players that emerged during that turbulent time in
our evolution. In my view, it presents an unbiased social history of
consciousness expanding chemistry and it's consequences on the human
mind and by extension, upon the greater society as a whole. The author
uses scenes that are vivid and intimate into the players that had
major roles in this upheaval of the status qou - Tim Leary, Allen
Ginsberg, Richard Alpert(aka. Ram Dass), Jack Kerouac, Ken Kesey,
Aldous Huxley, to name just a few. And of course, they all had their
own opinions on how the revolution was to proceed, with frequent
disagreements. There is also considerable light shed on the fact that
LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, and other compounds were being used with
considerable effectiveness within parts of the psychoanalytic
community for several years before the powers that be came in and put
them back in the box. But even if they hadn't passed laws against
these tools, it would have eventually come crashing down of it's own
weight. In the end, it was too radical a departure from the societal
norms and the movement itself had no real leaders. Leadership was
anathema to the revolution, the paradox being that authority was what
was being disempowered. The result is that the dream spiraled out of
control and we eventually ended up with Ronald Raygun as President and
we haven't quite been the same since.
The central question posed by this book seems to be: Who is the
ultimate arbiter of what you do with your consciousness? I would
suggest that if your answer involves anyone or anything outside your
self, then you are not truely free. Help other customers find the most
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
A very thorough and valuable history of the early years, May 6, 2001
By Martian Bachelor (Feminacentric America) -
This investigative tour de force covers in great detail the years from
1943 (and a little before) up through the LSD hysteria circa 1965-7.
I'm marking it down a star because of its inexplicable lack of an
index, which greatly reduces its value as a research reference --
which it surely deserves to be. There are so many biographies trying
to be told simultaneously here that it sometimes got a bit confusing.
It also tends to go off on occasional tangents, digressing at what to
me seemed like too great a length regarding some of the characters of
the story which (again) to me seemed more like minor ones not worth
the many background pages devoted to them. But those are rather small
quibbles really.
Stevens is pretty good at keeping central issues front and center as
events unfold: eg, how the psychological models evolved over time, and
the socio-political question of whether the power of this amazing
molecule was for the masses or just for the few -- both of which
became more or less moot as events over-ran things.
I liked "Acid Dreams" a microgram or two more than this book, probably
because it emphasizes cultural rather than personal history more, but
still had a difficult time putting "Storming Heaven" down for very
long. It's extremely information-rich and well-written -- it's rather
dispassionately objective while still being interesting. It would
probably only disappoint those looking for simple answers.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
It pulls all of the loose ends together, September 28, 2005
By Umberto (Kansas City) -
The author takes the reader on a fascinating journey to visit the
people, places, and cultures of the psychedelic movement. This book
contains interesting inside information about Albert Hoffman, Aldous
Huxley, Timothy Leary, Richard Alpert, Jack Kerouac, Alan Ginsberg,
Neal Cassady, Ken Kesey, Owsley, and a myriad of minor players whose
names are fading into history. The story is chronicled from the Swiss
Labs where LSD was first discovered to its legitimate use in the
psychiatric profession to the artistic salons of the 50's to Harvard
to the native villages of Mexico to Leary's temporary home at the
Millbrook mansion to Kesey's Prankster hang-out in La Honda to the
Haight-Ashbury to the streets of America. An enjoyable peek into
diverse cultures from the psychiatric clinicians to world renowned
authors and artisans to the faculty of Harvard and Berkley to pre-
Columbian mushroom cults to the Beat poets to the Hell's Angels to the
Hippies. It is The Doors of Perception, The Psychedelic Experience, On
the Road, Howl, Holy Goof, Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, and Living
with the Dead all rolled into one. Exhaustively researched, a very
entertaining read from front to back. Like the era that it chronicles,
I hated for the book to end. Help other customers find the most
helpful reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Five stars plus, January 6, 2007
By Brian P. Akers -
It is no fluke that this book has an average rating of five stars from
amazon.com readers. This is simply one of the most informative,
enjoyable and engaging presentations ever written on the subject of
hallucinogenic drugs in modern history, and how they made their way
from the obscurity of laboratories and clinical research to become a
fixture in the counterculture of the 1960's and beyond. The
complexities of the story make it a formidable challenge for any
narrator, but Stevens proves easily equal to the task. In the pages of
this book, the reader is introduced to the dramatis personae with an
immediacy as though meeting them in person. Many of the facts
discussed herein have been recounted before by many capable others.
But never have they been put into such a vivid and vibrant perspective
as this, so thorough and rich with nuance. That's important because
the depths of this story, stranger as it is than any fiction, are
where its meaning emerges most clearly. Ever since the impact of LSD
and its profound, pervasive influences on our life and times, modern
society will never be the same. And it is impossible to imagine what
popular culture would now be like without the psychedelic revolution
of the 20th century. "Storming Heaven" offers the best single account
of how and why this is so. This is a real page-turner, very difficult
to put down, and is highly recommended for the interested reader. Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Rare Insight into Drugs & Counterculture in the Postwar US, January
6, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Storming Heaven: Lsd and the American Dream
(Hardcover)
Stevens transports us to times and places that *should* be alien, and
*should* be unusual, but instead takes us into parlors, labs, music
halls, and jungles to give us what sounds and tastes like the real
poop on how, and more importantly, why a drug culture was so
ferociously and speedily born in postwar America. So real are his
profiles, and so uncharacteristically down to earth compared to the
other well known and more academic studies of the genre, that we, as
readers, can easily see and identify with why Hoffman, the Wassons,
Alpert, Leary, Huxley, et al took to these unique alkaloids in an
ongoing attempt to seek new truths, often to to validate inner
yearnings. Stevens feels like he was there, and so will you. If
nothing else, "Storming Heaven" is a great read simply because Stevens
is so very, very *on*. A must read if you are even remotely interested
in the modern drug phenomenon, with a few bonuses of drugs in history
(and theory) thrown in for good measure. I lent my copy out four years
ago, never got it back, and have since regretted it! Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
The Sixties, Microgram by Microgram, February 21, 2008
By JOHN J. MCGRAW "author of Brain & Belief" (Solana Beach, CA USA)
-
This is the definitive account of the 1960s psychedelic drug scene.
Stevens does a great job of conveying the highs and lows of LSD and
its proponents. His ability to relate endless facts while retaining a
fast-paced narrative structure is amazing. I found this one of the
most "addicting" books out there about the significance of drugs in
American culture. Stevens reviews all the major personalities: Albert
Hoffman, Timothy Leary, Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, the
Grateful Dead, Alan Watts, Jack Kerouac, Aldous Huxley, and more. If
you're interested in this electric decade, the power of psychedelics
to warp the mind, or any of the poet-prophets who were compelled to
experiment with and sing the praises of acid then this book is sure to
delight. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Quality journalistic-type writing, March 27, 2003
By Ross James Browne (Atlanta, Georgia United States) -
_Storming Heaven_ is a non-ficticious account of the history of the
spread of LSD in America and England during the 50's and 60's. It
gives detailed accounts of all of the major players in the early days
of the synthesization and distribution of this drug. It is not as
thoughtful or philosophical as I hoped, and has little to say about
the implications and nuances of the actual effects of the drug.
However, I came to accept this book for what it is, which is a matter-
of-fact description of how this drug progressed from the university
offices and laboratories to the streets of San Francisco. This book
has much to say about both the east-coast and west-coast acid scenes
of the 50's and 60's. In the east, you have Timothy Leary, Richard
Alpert, and Alan Watts, and their whole gang of weirdos hanging out in
an acid-soaked mansion in Millbrook NY. It is very interesting to read
about the(mis)adventures of these three men, all of whom (especially
Alan Watts) are gifted and accomplished writers. For those who are
fans of their work, _Storming Heaven_ is a must-read if for no other
reason than to get some idea of the formative influences of these
writers.
The west coast scene, in contrast, was less intellectual and more of a
free-for-all. Jay Stevens describes the exploits of Ken Kesey, and the
riders of his magic bus. Of course any discussion of Ken Kesey will
inevitably lead to a discussion of the Grateful Dead, and the
handiwork of their "chemist" mr. Owlsley. Stevens also covers the
involvement of the Hell's Angels in this west coast movement. All of
this makes for very entertaining, albeit light, reading.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
enthralled, February 5, 2000
By A Customer
Storming Heaven chronicles the advent of LSD (as well as many other
halucinagens) from its early days as a pharmaceutical curio to
indispensable ingredient of sixties social upheaval. In rich detail it
explains how, from the Sandoz pharmaceutical labs in Switzerland it
made its timely way to American shores where it found, in the form of
Timothy Leary, (and before him Aldous Huxley) its high priest. Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
The Battle betwen God's Flesh and Green Money, September 6, 1999
By A Customer
Segue to the end: money wins. Personal greed (or some variant of
Maslow's hierarchy) triumphs over freedom of the mind. How pure these
early pioneers of mind expansion were in their intentions. And how
naive.
What kind of society could sustain a populace of blissed-out fun-
seeking consumer bees more bent on self-discovery than on collecting
and distributing green pollen? The answer to this question posed such
a threat to the established system that what resulted was no less than
a civil war, with one side winning a smashing victory.
Life in the trenches is so boring, we need our legal opiates to blot
out the meaninglessness. How dare a group of outsiders suggest an
alternative marketing channel! What would hapen to G.M., Seagram's,
the Papal seat, and the organized crime syndicates working in the
underground economy? Better to have a bloodless revolution (well,
almost...see Chicago in 1968 and Kent State University in 1970) than
to tolerate such an open threat to income production and distribution.
This book is a fine social study that is a "must" reading for anyone
who would attempt to explain the America we live in today. Going
beneath the headlines without sounding too much like Oliver Stone
opens up other interpretations of what happened and suggests what
could have been.
If you were born between 1945 and 1965 and want to know why you and
your friends are doing this instead of that, read this book. If you
are a student of modern American history, read this book. I have read
it three time since it was first published (just finished it again),
and as a baby-boomer born in 1952, I can appreciate just how close to
the mark the author makes his shot.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
An incredible slice of modern history, November 13, 2009
By J. C. Walker (London, UK) -
Storming Heaven is a book that will forever stay dear to my heart as
it literally changed my life. I can't expect anyone else to have the
same experience I did, and it changed it in a way you probably
wouldn't imagine, but I can definitely recommend you this book and say
it is a fantastic read. Jay Stevens has written a completely non-
sensationalistic, thoroughly researched and extremely compelling
account of a chapter in modern history that has, unfortunately, become
distorted in contemporary consciousness. This book doesn't create a
rose-tinted view of the American 60's cultural revolution, but instead
unearths its roots, explores its good side and bad, and never forgets
to remain dogged in pursuit of the truth. That isn't to say that the
book is dry, far from it, this is a page-turner that will ultimately
break your heart.
The story contained within is fascinating, far broader than mere drug
experiences and filled with unforgettable characters. It is an
incredible history lesson about a recent time you probably thought you
already understood, but after reading this, will realize you didn't.
If you have any interest in modern history, American culture, or
indeed the potent chemical mentioned in the book's title, this is
*essential* reading.
It expanded my perceptions without the use of drugs, I hope it will do
the same for you. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Superb analysis of the causes of the Sixties phenomenon, June 2,
2009
By Morley Chalmers (Toronto, Ontario Canada) -
What a fabulous piece of writing Storming Heaven is! Simply superb. It
helped connect the dots on that incredible decade, the Sixties, like
nothing I've ever seen before. The rise, the cresting, and the fall.
Greatly appreciated Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Superb, August 3, 2008
By Alistair. S. Praties "Buzzardwarrior" (Edinburgh, Scotland) -
This is one of the best books I have read -certainly the best in the
category of social history. Jay Stevens has researched his material
meticulously and has delivered the narrative in a most enthralling
manner. I found it hard to lay the book down. Whether, like me, you
lived through the psychedelic experience of the sixties or you have
but a passive interest, you will be amazed to learn of the full impact
that the psychedelic culture has had on Western society, religion and
philosophy -right through to the chemical hedonism of today.
This is truly a superb read! Help other customers find the most
helpful reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Gotta throw in my five stars too-, July 1, 1999
By A Customer
Fascinating history of psychedelic drugs that weaves it's way through
pharmacology, psychiatry, academia and ends up in the middle of Haight
Street... Mr. Stevens beautifully summarizes the cultural mindset of
the 50's and 60's. What amazes me is how fast everything soured... I
can't say enough good things about this book. What a trip... Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Tune in, turn on, drop out!, March 8, 2008
By Doc Smiley (Studio City, CA USA) -
I bought this on the recommendation of Dr. Stanley Krippner in a
lecture on ayahuasca. It is absolutely the best book I have read on
the history of the psychedelic movement during the past 100 years or
so. Timothy Leary is not dead - he's only outside looking in. :-) Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
An absolute gem!, July 28, 2000
By Richard J Murphy (London) -
I loved this book. It had me gripped to it from start to finish. It
facinated, humoured and impired me. If you have any interest in this
remarkable substance and the psycho-social revolution it unleased then
buy this book. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
a missing part of american culture revealed, March 20, 2000
By Tim Shortnacy "followingthepath" (round rock, texas... just north
of austin..) - See all my reviews
if they taught this kind of history in school, I don't think i would
have ever been bored enough to draw stupid comics of stick figures
running about the pages of my notes and classwork.... a truly
inspiring journey into the souls of some truly brave people in their
journey to break on through..... Help other customers find the most
helpful reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
read this now, you are late, March 18, 2000
By A Customer
This book is a fair account of the affects and consequenses of mature
ingestion of the chemical Lysergic acid---please read thids book it is
an eye opener for the skeptic--get it in the library first if you
doubt this quick review. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Once one begins Storming Heaven one can't put it down, March 29,
1999
By A Customer
Storming Heaven is by far the most informative and comprehensive work
I have ever read about the 60's Psychdelic movement! A breathtaking
roller coaster ride down the steep inclines of the human psyche. If
this subject at all perks your interest you won't be able to put it
down! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
A Real Mind Opener, May 29, 1998
By John Walker (***@bigfoot.com) (Sheffield, UK) -
This review is from: Storming Heaven: LSD and the American Dream
(Paperback)
This is a brilliantly researched and executed book. It will change
your view on a lot of things (from religion from politics). There is a
LOT more to this book than just LSD, it is an expose on an incredible
(and misunderstood) time in recent history. This is a brilliant book.
I assure you it is worth your time and effort. Grab a copy if you ever
see it. It WILL open your mind. Help other customers find the most
helpful reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
The Best History of the Psychedelic Movement, May 26, 1996
By A Customer
This review is from: Storming Heaven: LSD and the American Dream
(Paperback)
If you read the literature on the psychedelic movement widely enough,
it can all become a bit of a jumble -- "Hey, haven't I read about this
same party in four different memoirs?" Jay Stevens does a wonderful
service by telling this incredibly complex tale with grace, economy
and clarity. He's fair, compassionate, and unlike a lot of other
people who have written about the counterculture lately, he "gets it."
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
lost history, August 22, 2007
By j0e_x (Canopus) -
This should be required reading in American History. Who knew Canada
had legal LSD centers? And the characters- Nin, Huxley, Kesey, Leary
and Capt.Al Hubbard (??). Will we ever see their like again? Really a
very sad story, and a fascinating one. Nice to see the Chief Boo Hoo,
old Art Kleps in there as well. Sen. Kennedy: "Is your title really
Chief Boo Hoo?" Art Kleps: "I'm afraid so, sir." Help other customers
find the most helpful reviews
An Exceptional Weave of an Interesting History, January 16, 2003
By Norm Zurawski (Millington, NJ United States) -
In the spirit of the subject matter, the best word to describe this
book is...cool. The author appears to have a genuine desire to
objectively explore the history, for better or worse, of LSD and its
role in American culture. Stevens does not approach this work being
for nor against LSD. He just looks. As a result, this book comes out
with flying colors...pun intended.
This book is a diamond in the rough for those who wish to take that
same exploratory approach in reading about LSD and the history of this
potent and controversial drug. It's not geared for people who are
vehemently pro/anti LSD. Preconceived notions should be checked at the
door before embarking on this adventure.
Stevens looks at LSD from its very beginnings, where characters such
as Hoffman, Osmond, and Huxley help pave the way for much of what
comes later in the book. As the narrative moves on, familiar names
such as Ginsberg, Leary, Burroughs, Kerouac, Alpert, Metzner, Kesey,
Cassady, Weil, Watts, and Wolfe, among others, enter and exit the
stage like bit actors in this great showcase. If you've ever been
enamored with the doings of any of those names, this book weaves a
pattern from threads of various legacies in one fascinating tapestry.
As a caveat to the above paragraph, none of those characters is
covered in much detail, with the exception of Timothy Leary. This is
more a result of Leary's intense involvement with the scene than
Stevens' focusing on one extraordinary character. Some of those people
(Burroughs, for instance) make very brief but interesting
appearances.
In addition to those mentioned, many unknown but intriguing characters
fill the pages of this book. More than likely, every one of them will
lead you to read on, until another name segues into the narrative.
Stevens does a great job researching this story and presenting it to
the reader in one piece.
Every time I review a book I do my best to find something which was
lacking, no matter how much I enjoyed it. In this particular case, I
have a hard time pinpointing anything to find fault with. The only
complaint I might have is that it was too short. One imagines that
pages and pages of material never made it to press and it's a shame
this book had to end where it did. I would have kept reading if it
were twice as long.
I do have to cede a point that one other reviewer makes. He comments
that the prevalence of 5 star ratings, "reflects the weirdness and
coolness of the events portrayed rather than the history itself." I do
have to lend some credence to that point and admit that this may be
true. However, as this subject matter is relatively new to me, the
book still rates 5 stars in terms of an introduction to the subject.
As a history on the subject, it's the role of the author to tell the
story, and Stevens does that well.
In all, a great read. A fascinating perspective brought to you by
someone trying to elucidate the ups and downs of LSD and the movement
it helped create. Again, this is not going to be a favorite of the pro-
LSD hippie or the anti-drug conservative. But for those of you who
want a fairly balanced, comprehensive view of the history of LSD and
how it influenced culture in America, I strongly recommend this book.
Very well done.
A trip, October 13, 2000
By Jay Stevens (Missoula, MT) -
Let's get a couple of things straight: No, I am not the author. No,
I'm not related to the author. So despite the name, I think I'm pretty
unbiased, although some might think otherwise after reading the
following glowing review of Jay Stevens' book, "Storming Heaven."
This was a great book.
Mr. Stevens tracks LSD from its inception through San Francisco's "the
Summer of Love" in late 60s. He artfully describes the discovery of
the drug and its effect on the psychologists who first used it on
their patients and on themselves. He introduces Alduous Huxley, Tim
Leary, and Ken Kesey-the pied pipers of LSD-and explains their
fascination for psychedelics. He discusses the drug's decline, its
unpopularity with government officials, its abuse by "untrained"
American kids, and the progressive marginalization of the drug's
"prophets." And all the while, Stevens skillfully gives voice to the
drug's proponents' vision of a "metal frontier" to be crossed using
LSD, pushing human beings along the evolutionary path.
It is clear from Mr. Stevens' book that LSD played a major role in the
fundamental changes wrought in the 1960s. LSD tore down personal
constructs and unveiled egos. LSD gave everyday Americans a chance to
experience mystical visions. LSD gave many new insight into the nature
of being. It was a psychological drug, and explains why most of the
social change that occurred in the 1960s was psychological in nature.
But while Mr. Stevens in his Epilogue seems to laud the continuation
of psychological exploration by a handful of "inner" explorers who use
a series of newly developed designer psychedelics, I think he
misrepresents the importance of these drugs.
First, the assumption that LSD will lead man (and woman) along the
evolutionary path assumes that this path is straight and pointed in a
forward direction. That is, that evolution is a natural process from
simple to complex, from amoebas to man and beyond. Instead, science
now concludes that evolution is more of a willy-nilly process. Species
constantly bloom a number of seemingly useless mutations, and changes
in environment conditions dictate which mutation reigns supreme. After
all, it seems that the next species to inherit the planet is likely to
be the cockroach, for the cockroach has the rigor and hardiness to
withstand the destruction of the planet by humans. And cockroaches are
hardly superior in intelligence or complexity.
Second, is the assumption that LSD can "lead" us anywhere. While LSD
gives visions, reveals fundamental truths about personality, it
doesn't change anything. It's up to the individual in the end to enact
change, to mutate. We only have to look at the example of Tim Leary to
realize this. While Mr. Leary was turned on to the drug and believed
its in therapeutic value, in the text he remained a womanizing,
upperly-mobile egoist; he just traded in his tweed for buckskin, and
academia for psychedelia.
Basically LSD is a shortcut. It's a quick-fix buzz. In that way, it's
the ideal substance for America. "Vision in a can." "Become a mystic
in 12 easy hours." I would've liked to Mr. Stevens explore this facet
of LSD a little more. But he seems to be totally enchanted with the
cosmic possibilities...
In any case, the writing is superb. It's the perfect book to read to
begin exploring the important texts of the 20th century bohemian
movement. Read this alongside "Brave New World," "One Flew Over the
Cuckoo's Nest," "On the Road," "Electric Cool-Aid Acid Test," and
"Howl," among other texts.
Technicolored Masterpiece of a Maelstrom, January 8, 2000
By Ian Hough (Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts) -
This is very likely the best book I have ever read. It gave me a taste
for any non-fiction which is written in "story" form. Jay Stevens
leads us down a realistic but picturesque garden path, stopping at
many points along the way to point out the more fascinating
individuals and descriptions of the world, created by this incredible
chemical. He quotes one voyager as saying "I was struck more by its
strangeness than its beauty." Obviously a man with some experience of
that other world, Stevens is slick as well as humane in his treatment
of what it did to a generation, and what happened to them when it was
over. From the moment Albert Hofmann accidentally ingested the stuff
in Basle, to the studious setting of Huxley's awakening, to Tim Leary
and his anti-establishment stance in the bowels of Harvard, to Allen
Ginsberg's being born again, and on into the psychological armageddon
beyond Altamont, Stevens' voice never wavers, but becomes ever
clearer, more colorful and true. I lay on a bed for two days straight
and read this big book. It was a trip, and the volume stands in a very
convenient spot on my bookshelf. It shines. Help other customers find
the most helpful reviews
Superb in every way, May 1, 1999
By A Customer
This is simply one of the greatest works of non-fiction, and I only
stop there because it's so difficult to categorize. History,
biography, science and sociology seamlessly mingle in some of the most
ecstatic -- yet not over-the-top -- prose one is likely to encounter.
This is one of those books that you are truly sad to see end, so rich
is Stevens' portrayal of a time and its remarkable characters, Leary
and Kesey foremost among them. For once a book that deserves the
epithet 'remarkable'. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
Excellent Psychedelic History, September 30, 1998
By A Customer
This book is pure information. And I cannot get enough of it. Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
A comfortably mediocre history of the 1960s, July 3, 1999
By A Customer
I'm at a loss to understand why everyone likes this books so much. One
guess is that that the "five star" rating reflects the weirdness and
coolness of the events portrayed rather than the history itself.
Personally, I find the historical and bibliographic breadth limited,
and the author's analysis and discussion of the events unfortunately
never gets beyond the obvious. A somewhat better bet is Acid Dreams by
Lee and Shlain. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
The book itself is mind-expanding!, June 18, 1999
By A Customer
Obviously, the subject of LSD is a touchy one, yet Jay Stevens'
painstaking research gains the trust of the reader early and maintains
it throughout. I am a chemist, and he describes the circumstances
surrounding the discovery of LSD perfectly. My father is a
psychologist, and he was surprised at Jay Stevens' insights into the
state of psychological research in the post-war era. This book is much
more of a social history than it is a history of LSD- I only wish Jay
Stevens would write more books. Help other customers find the most
helpful reviews
of 2 people found the following review helpful:
For those that were there and for those that were not there!, May 18,
1999
By ***@aol.com (Las Vegas, Nevada) -
An amazing compilation of the scene! If you took the psychedelic
drugs, you were blown away by what was happening. If you didn't take
the psychedelic drugs, I hope you were blown away by what was
happening. If you weren't taking the drugs and/or weren't blown away,
then read this book, it is your last chance. War, Karma, Instant
Nirvana, the nature of consciousness and mental illness...It is your
mind; examine it! Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Allowing "Generation X " to understand "Generation?", September 30,
1997
By A Customer
This review is from: Storming Heaven: Lsd and the American Dream
(Hardcover)
When generation X looks back on the past, it's easy to get the
picture. Cheech and Chong and Woodstock right? Jay Stevens who
obviously feels this stereotyping is getting out of hand, sends us 19
to 30 range on a magic carpet ride. Storming Heaven distributes the
controversial substance LSD in a form uunlike most non fiction.
Labratories and bordellos, parks and experiments come to life, while
Stevens carefully rations narcotic expertise with historical fact.
This books provides anyone wanting crystal clear perspective about LSD
as well as history in the last half century. Right down to the bicycle
ride home.(I'll let you find out) Help other customers find the most
helpful reviews
7 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
Very good but ignores many facets of certain indivuals, February 10,
2007
By Cwn_Annwn (Copenhagen, Denmark) -
This was a very good book. You get lots of interesting stuff about
Aldous Huxley, the famous beat writers, Owsley, Timothy Leary, Ken
Kesey and the evolution of the so called counterculture as a whole.
The problems that I have with Storming Heaven is not for what was in
it but what was left out. For one Stevens was WAY too easy on Timothy
Leary. The author seemed almost like a school girl with a crush when
he recounts his visit to Learys home for an interview for the book. He
comes off more as a fan than he does an objective writer at times when
he deals with Leary. Why wasn't it mentioned that it has come out that
Leary was a government informant and information he gave led to the
death of two members of the Weather Underground? Its also a known fact
that Leary was surrounded by CIA assets and there is a lot of evidence
that he was a government agent himself, and at the least he was
feeding them information.
There is also a fleeting mention that wasn't elaborated on about Ken
Kesey that he had LSD experiments done on him at Stanford by the guy
that ended up in charge of the CIAs Mkultra mind control program. This
really makes me wonder about Kesey. Its more or less accepted history
that the first LSD to get out on the street level was what Kesey stole
from the medicine chest at his job as a night shift janitor at a
mental hospital and distributed it among his elitist friends. Kesey
went from writing what was probably the best novel written during the
1960's to, while becoming a counterculture hero, never writing another
thing worth reading again. Did doing too much LSD scramble his brains
and ruin his creativity or was his creativity nullified by Mkultra
programming? Its hard to say for sure but I have to wonder if Kesey
was not under some sort of mind control or was being used by the CIA
in one way or another. There are a lot of unanswered questions in my
mind about Kesey.
They also fleetingly mention the Brotherhood of Eternal Love who were
major LSD distributors and were known to be full of CIA people and had
a close association with a Jewish man named Ron Starks who was a CIA
spook that also happened to the biggest LSD dealer in the world.
Starks was not even given the first mention in this book!
I mean with all these ivy league, Mkultra and CIA connections to the
elites of the so called counterculture I have to seriously wonder how
much of the hippy movement of the late 60's was an organic rebellion
against what was (and still is) a very repressive society both
socially and politically and how much of it was intentional social
engineering that came from the highest levels of the power structure.
Many people believe that the anti-war movement was flooded with drugs,
in particular LSD, by federal agents. Its well known that the
government tried to subvert and destroy the anti-war movement with the
cointelpro program so why wouldn't they also use drugs to try to
destroy it? While it can't be denied that LSD has enhanced many an
artist, writer and musicians work can you honestly say that sitting
around frying on acid all the time is going to do anything but disable
political activists who in many cases were in a life and death
struggle? Besides that the fact remains that many people became
permanently damaged as result of doing acid.
All that said I would definitely recomend reading or of you can get it
cheap, buying Storming Heaven. I could hardly put it down once I
started reading it. I realize that this book was more geared toward
looking into what psychelic drugs can do with the mind and its
exponents history and theories on the subject than any conspiratorial
maneuverings by the US government involving LSD but it just didn't go
deep enough into the rabbit hole for my tastes. Help other customers
find the most helpful reviews
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Entheogens: Professional Listing, April 30, 1999
By A Customer
"Storming Heaven" has been selected for listing in "Religion and
Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy".
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Rational and Irrational Beliefs: Research, Theory, and Clinical
Practice (Hardcover)
~ Daniel David (Editor), Steven Jay Lynn (Editor), Albert Ellis
(Editor)
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Ethical Educational Leadership in Turbulent Times: (Re) Solving Moral
Dilemmas (Paperback)
~ Joan Poliner Shapiro
Joan Poliner Shapiro (Author)
(Author), Steven Jay Gross (Author)
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Ethical Educational Leadership in Turbulent Times: (Re) Solving Moral
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
ethical framework, February 18, 2008
By Jolanta M. Smolen - See all my reviews
Since I'm taking a class that requires this book, it was not a free
choice of book. However, so far it's proving to be an interesting
framework for ethics in education. Help other customers find the most
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Varieties of Anomalous Experience: Examining the Scientific Evidence
(Hardcover)
~ Etzel Cardena (Editor), Steven Jay Lynn (Editor), Stanley C.
Krippner (Editor)
Key Phrases: anomalous healing experiences, strong synesthesia,
anomalous healing events, New York, Journal of Near-Death Studies,
Journal of Parapsychology (more...)
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
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59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
This book is a gem., June 19, 2000
By Sharon S. (Bethesda, MD) -
How fortunate we are to now have in one volume a comprehensive and
scholarly review of the scientific evidence for anomalous experiences.
The fascinating subject matter of this book includes such diverse
phenomena as lucid dreaming, out of body experiences, past life
experiences, and alien abduction. What makes this book different from
other treatments of some of these topics is that the authors have no
hidden agenda or viewpoint that they are trying to put forth. They are
not trying to convince you that something does or does not exist.
Instead it is an even-handed look at the available data and various
competing explanations. And even though it is a scholarly review, it
is well written, engaging, and easy-to-read. Varieties of Anomalous
Experience: Examining the Scientific Evidence belongs on the bookshelf
of anyone who has an interest in understanding and explaining these
unusual phenomena. You won't be disappointed. Help other customers
find the most helpful reviews
34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
Essential Reading on the Topic, August 7, 2002
By James S. Taylor (Scarborough, Ontario Canada) -
Books surveying anomalous experience have tended to come from the
skeptic side of the fence and have leaned toward the debunking end of
the spectrum. While they have their uses, there's always the nagging
suspicion that they might not be fair to all the evidence. While this
book isn't as easy reading as those of the skeptics, it really shoots
at being a balanced examination of the evidence, pro and con, with
intelligent discussion about where the weight of what we know falls.
Each chapter tackles one anomalous phenomenon and follows a consistant
structure. First, the experience is clearly defined so that we know
what is and is not being addressed. Then, the actual phenomenology of
the phenomenon out in the field is surveyed. Since the book is geared
toward those in the psychological and helping professions, the
emotional, physical, and mental aftereffects of having the experience
are then examined. The range of differences between experients is
presented,then issues involving psychopathology, clinical assessment,
background theories, and methodology of research are shown. Each
chapter is written by an authority on that specific phenomenon and
they provide a summation conclusion at the end where they render their
professional judgment on the topic. If you're looking for a
sensational or spooky handling of the subjects, this isn't your book;
but if you want a very level headed analysis of what is happening in
these fields of research, you need to be familiar with this work. Even
better, each chapter provides pages worth of bibliography, pro and
con, on each subject, that will keep you going for years. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Psychology and parapsychology, February 24, 2007
By Sean K. Sayers Montalvo -
Excellent book. I never thought that it could have been posible to
explain parapsychology and psychology in the light of each other. It
has been a great text book for one of my courses. It has helped to
create a more in depth vision of the relationship between both areas.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Look No Further, Seek No Other;, March 24, 2004
By A Customer
What a delight, I first became interested in the paranormal and this
weird stuff after reading Jerry D. Coleman's "Strange Highways" and
was very glad to see that another book such as "Varieties of Anomalous
Experience" could be on the same tone, meaning, well written,
informative and most important left up to me to decide and draw my own
conclusions! Great book, a wonderful read! Help other customers find
the most helpful reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Varieties of Anomalous Experience., February 23, 2009
By New Age of Barbarism "zosimos" (EVROPA.) -
_Varieties of Anomalous Experience: Examining the Scientific
Evidence_, first published in 2000 by the American Psychological
Association, and edited by psychologists Etzel Cardena, Steven Jay
Lynn, and Stanley Krippner is a collection of various essays examining
experiences which may be classified as "anomalous" from the
perspective of psychological science. The title for this book is
derived from a similar book written by the famous psychologist and
philosopher William James entitled _The Varieties of Religious
Experience_ which examined varieties of religious experience from the
perspective of a psychologist. This book considers anomalous
experience to be defined as "an uncommon experience (e.g. synesthesia)
or one that, although it may be experienced by a substantial amount of
the population (e.g., experiences interpreted as telepathic), is
believed to deviate from ordinary experience or from the usually
accepted explanations of reality." Anomalous experiences are thus
considered in light of "unusual people", parapsychological phenomena,
altered states of consciousness, and psychopathology or abnormal
psychology, and in terms of various cultural factors. In the current
culture, there is widespread mention of such experiences (through for
example such television programs as _The X-Files_) and in the past
science has frequently taken a hostile view to such experiences,
arguing for skepticism. This book however is unique in that all
viewpoints including non-skeptical ones are given a full hearing.
Also, many of the articles that appear in this book take a sympathetic
approach to non-skeptical interpretations of anomalous experiences.
This first article to appear in this book is entitled "Introduction:
Anomalous Experiences in Perspective" by the editors Etzel Cardena,
Steven Jay Lynn, and Stanley Krippner. This article defines the terms
"anomalous" and "anomalous experience" and provides an understanding
of what is meant by such experiences. It then provides a history of
the study of anomalous experiences and provides some detailed critique
of investigations into such topics as parapsychology. Then appears the
outline for the chapters in the book and finally the purpose of the
book mentioning reasons why one might study anomalous experiences and
concluding that a psychology that takes the challenge of William James
to build a comprehensive study of human experience must also examine
those experiences which may be considered anomalous.
Section I of this book is entitled "Conceptual and Methodological
Issues". The first article in this section is entitled "Anomalous
Experiences, Peculiarity, and Psychopathology" by Howard Berenbaum,
John Kerns, and Chitra Raghavan and considers the role of peculiarity
and psychopathology and their possible relationships to those who have
anomalous experiences. The second article is entitled "Methodological
Issues in the Study of Altered States of Consciousness and Anomalous
Experiences" by Ronald J. Pekala and Etzel Cardena and provides an
examination of some methodological issues in the study of altered
states of consciousness and anomalous experiences including
phenomenological and psychophenomenological approaches to these
issues. The authors conclude this article with some recommendations
for researchers.
Section II of this book is entitled "Anomalous Experiences". Each of
the articles in this section consider a different type of anomalous
experience. They consider these experiences in terms of human
differences, cultural factors, and psychopathology. They also provide
various explanations and theories of these experiences considering
both skeptical and non-skeptical interpretations and offering reasons
that support each of these theories. This section contains several
useful and interesting articles that offer a truly open-minded
approach to anomalous experiences that takes these experiences
seriously (while in the past they may have been taken less than
seriously by prior researchers). The articles included in this section
are:
"Hallucinatory Experiences" by Richard P. Bentall,
"Synesthesia" by Lawrence E. Marks,
"Lucid Dreaming" by Stephen LaBerge and Jayne Gackenbach,
"Out-of-Body Experiences" by Carlos S. Alvarado,
"Psi-Related Experiences" by Elisabeth Targ, Marilyn Schlitz, and
Harvey J. Irwin,
"Alien Abduction Experiences" by Stuart Appelle, Steven Jay Lynn, and
Leonard Newman,
"Past-Life Experiences" by Antonia Mills and Steven Jay Lynn,
"Near-Death Experiences" by Bruce Greyson,
"Anomalous Healing Experiences" by Stanley Krippner and Jeanne
Achterberg,
"Mystical Experience" by David M. Wulff.
These articles provide interesting studies of various anomalous
experiences that may not fit into previous scientific or religious
understandings of reality. In particular, for example psi-related
phenomena challenge current scientific understandings and near-death
experiences offer the possibility of the survival of human personality
after death. As such, these experiences prove highly interesting and
this book offers a truly open-minded approach from the perspective of
psychology that examines such experiences. For too long, modern
science has conveniently ignored or tried to deny such experiences and
it is precisely for this reason that this book serves as such a
valuable contribution. This book offers one of the unique studies on
such experiences from the perspective of mainstream modern psychology
and is published by the APA, the main organ of mainstream psychology.
As such, this book gives some legitimacy to experiences and theories
that have previously been ignored or denied. As the editors maintain
however, if one is to offer a comprehensive psychology as William
James suggested, then one must provide a study of all human experience
including those experiences which are deemed anomalous. This book
offers exactly such a study.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Serious, trustworth writing., February 15, 2010
By Vanessa Corredato (São Paulo, BR) -
This book was written by well-known researchers. It is a recognized
textbook in the field and expresses serious, trustworth opinions.
Highly recommended. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
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Texts and Contexts (4th Edition) (Paperback)
~ Steven Jay Lynn (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Texts and Contexts (4th Edition)
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Clever but too simplfied, July 2, 2007
By Lit. Prof. (Lima, Ohio) -
I assigned this book in an undergraduate course that included an
introduction to critical theory. The book is cleverly written and is
intended to be accessible. It features sample analyses for each of the
theoretical approaches, and keeps things light with occasional jokes
and cartoons, which help keep theory from being intimidating. Indeed,
the book is frequently entertaining. It outlines six major schools of
literary criticism (New Criticism, Reader-Response, Deconstruction,
Psychological criticism and gender criticism), and the chapters are
well-organized. The front cover features a useful set of summaries for
each approach: its assumptions, practices, and typical questions. All
this is good. I found, however, that the book is so intent on
summarizing the theories briefly and clearly that it oversimplifies
and leaves out important points. I therefore found myself filling in
the gaps and sending my students to supplementary readings from other
textbooks that I had NOT adopted and had instead put on reserve as
supplementary readings (Lois Tyson's Critical Theory Today and Charles
Bressler's Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Literary Theory and
Practice). So I'm back to looking for a text for my class. I would
recommend Lynn's book as a back-up (the way I used Tyson and Bressler)
and as brush-up reading for people who already have some background in
theory. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology (Paperback)
~ Scott O. Lilienfeld Phd (Editor), Steven Jay Lynn Phd (Editor),
Jeffrey M. Lohr Phd (Editor) "As Bob Dylan wrote, "The times they are
a-changin'..." (more)
4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
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Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology
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36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
Well researched, balanced, and provocative, January 31, 2003
By Eric G. Mart (Manchester, NH United States) -
This review is from: Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology
(Hardcover)
This edited volume contains chapters which provide critical analysis
of a variety of important subjects in clinical psychology. Lillienfeld
et al take a hard look at general issues such as diagnosis and
treatment as well as specific issues including New Age treatments for
psychological disorders and tests and personality measures. It also
examines other subjects such as controversial interventions for ADHD,
trauma and autism. The book will spark a great deal of argument and
some outrage, since there are a lot of oxen and sacred cows being
gored therein. But it is long past time that the yawning chasm between
science and clinical practice was addressed, and this volume does an
admirable job. I recommend this book to all thoughtful clinicans, as
well as general readers with an interest in clinical psychology. Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
Well written, but may be missing something., December 27, 2006
By Bookworm -
This review is from: Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology
(Hardcover)
As a psychologist who is aware of some of the questionable research
and clinical practices in psychology I read this book with interest.
Many of the chapters were interesting and the criticisms valid. I was
disappointed, however, that a book that claims to debunk pseudoscience
seemed to have a major blindspot. For example Waschbusch and Hill's
chapter examines treatments for ADHD without reference to the
controversy that exists about the validity of ADHD as a
neurobiological syndrome. There is debate about the unscientific
manner in which groups of nonspecifc behaviours are named as
syndromes, in the absence of any physical evidence. Discussing
treatments for these "disorders" without mentioning this at all seems
a glaring oversight in a book that devotes so much attention to issues
of diagnosis and assessment and claims to expose pseudosicence. It
hardly takes courage or insight to criticise the fringe elements, but
what about blatant pseudoscientific practices carried out by
mainstream psychologists? Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Timely exploration of controversial topics, November 1, 2006
By Karen Franklin "Forensic Psychologist" (El Cerrito, CA, USA)
-
Why do clinicians keep practicing forms of therapy that lack
scientific support?
This edited book explores the widening gap between scientists and
practitioners in the field of clinical psychology. It covers many of
the most pressing controversies surrounding diagnosis, treatment
methods, specific disorders, and the self-help movement.
It is well written and exceptionally balanced. I recommend it highly
to my clinical psychology graduate students, but I think it is also
valuable for practicing clinicians and for other people who are
interested in the specific topics covered, including recovered memory
therapy, autism treatment, ADHD, new age therapies, multiple
personality disorder (aka dissociative identity disorder), trauma
treatment, herbal antidepressants, and - one of my favorite chapters -
substance abuse recovery. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Clarity, November 6, 2006
By A. Montgomery (Victoria, Australia) -
Although largely aware of the plethora of pseudoscientific nonsence
that besets the field of mental health, it is very refreshing to have
this collation of information brought together in one volume. As a
clinical psycholgist I am confronted daily by people who have been
referred to purveyors of unscientific, and often damaging,
"interventions". All too frequently, these people have been referred
to such snake-oil sellers by mental health professionals -
psychologists, psychaitrists, medical doctors etc. This book, and
hopefully further editions of it, should be compulsory reading for
everyone seeking to work in the mental health and forensic fields.
Only by truly embracing scientific methodology and an unremitting
scepticism can we hope to move forward in understanding mental health
and criminal problems. Our patients, their families, and the public
deserve no less.
Alex Montgomery
Clinical Psychologist
Victoria, Australia Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
32 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
A must read, March 15, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology
(Hardcover)
I am finishing my Ph.D. in psychology this year, and this is a
definate read for anyone in the field, espececially those who are
considering persuing a career in psych. This book has confimed my long-
standing fears as a graduate student: That there is much non-science
in the field of psych and the profession is openly hostile to those
that say so, while at the same time donning the semantically garb of
"scientist". The truth is there is very little science in psych these
days, and it is psychology's "dirty little secret". Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
15 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
A Must Read for People on Both Sides, February 6, 2004
By Monica Pignotti (Tallahassee, FL, United States) -
This review is from: Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology
(Hardcover)
In the preface, the editors noted that this book will make a lot of
people angry, especially proponents of the therapies being critiqued
in this book. While this is undoubtedly true for many such proponents,
I think it would be a serious mistake for such people to dismiss what
is being said in this book. I am one of the top practitioners of
Thought Field Therapy and found this book to be of tremendous value
and feel gratitude, not anger towards its authors. Having explored
many of the controversial, new therapies, I know better than anyone
the pitfalls and hazards of drifting into pseudoscience and quite
frankly, have repeatedly been dismayed at what I have seen in terms of
a complete inability to engage in critical thinking on the part of
many people involved in the endless array of "alternative" therapies.
Much of the problem, I believe, comes from ignorance of the principles
outlined in this book. The list of features of pseudosciences is
especially helpful and should be read and carefully considered by all
proponents of unconventional approaches. In this way, as Carl Sagan
puts it, "deep truths can be winnowed from deep nonsense". This book
should be required reading in graduate schools, as well as courses
that train people in any of these controversial, new approaches and I
intend to incorporate this into what I teach. Help other customers
find the most helpful reviews
10 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
The "James Randi" of Psychology, April 24, 2005
By S. W. Helms "Professor of Psychology" (San Ramon, CA) -
Lilienfield does a bang-up job debunking some of the long-held myths
in Clinical Psychology. Don't allow that to lead you to conclusion
that this book is about bashing the Science of Psychology, however!
Clinical Psychology is something quite different from the evidence-
based side of the field, and this book illustrated that it is infested
with more pseudo-science than science. That's partly because such a
large percentage of the public has no critical thinking skills, and
cannot see the difference between self-help nonsense and real science.
Lilienfield does a good job helping us start on the road toward
discerning the snake oil from the medicine.
It's almost laughable that one reviewer showers this book with
accolades while also touting herself as a top expert in yet another
pseudo-scientific "therapy," Thought Field Therapy. Lilienfield et al.
actually cover that idiocy in this marvelous book, pointing out that
there's no such thing as "thought fields," and no validity to the
notion that TFT has any effect on mental or physical health! Like the
great Investigator of the Supernatural, James Randi, Scott O.
Lilienfield will be very busy writing new editions of this useful
book. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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Classics of Organization Theory (Paperback)
~ Jay M. Shafritz (Author), J. Steven Ott (Author), Yong Suk Jang
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50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: Shattering Widespread
Misconceptions about Human Behavior (Paperback)
~ Scott O. Lilienfeld (Author), Steven Jay Lynn (Author), John Ruscio
(Author), Barry L. Beyerstein (Author)
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50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: Shattering Widespread
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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
A must-have mythbuster!
After reading the editorial reviews on this book, I decided to
purchase a copy. It is a treasure trove of examples of behavior and
myths that we believe to be true - but are actually false. Written by
psychologists and based on science, this book describes the most
common myths that people hold about a variety of human experiences.
For example, does handwriting reveal...
Read the full review ›
Published 4 months ago by Reader
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28 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
superficial and misleading
Unfortunately this book is a rather sad attempt to "bust" some events
that psychologists and psychiatrists currently disagree about. both
sides can raise literature that supports their viewpoint. Novices
lacking substantial experience can easily be misled by some statements
contained here that are in themselves inaccurate and poorly analyzed.
Take for example hypnosis...
Read the full review ›
Published 27 days ago by royal see
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
A must-have mythbuster!, October 3, 2009
By Reader "NY" (New York) -
After reading the editorial reviews on this book, I decided to
purchase a copy. It is a treasure trove of examples of behavior and
myths that we believe to be true - but are actually false. Written by
psychologists and based on science, this book describes the most
common myths that people hold about a variety of human experiences.
For example, does handwriting reveal your personality? Does playing
Mozart to infants boost their intelligence? Do opposites attract? Is
the polygraph really an accurate means of detecting dishonesty? If you
think the answer to any of these questions, is "yes," you need to read
this book. I couldn't put it down as I went from myth to myth learning
about the facts based on science versus the myths we have believed for
decades. I agree with the reviewer who says that this is a much-needed
mythbuster for consumers. Easy-to-read and fascinating facts! I
couldn't put it down. Highly recommended, a must-have mythbuster! Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
Timely publication!, October 12, 2009
By David K. Hogberg (Albion, MI) -
Although I have been long retired from teaching (psychology), Scott's
book makes me wish to return to the classroom. There can never be too
much urging to become or remain critical in one's thinking about the
outlandish claims that've been made over the years about what
psychology is not. I recommend 50 Great Myths to people who have read
only little or a lot about what people do when they behave. DKH
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
Instant Classic, November 6, 2009
By Jerry Haeffel (Notre Dame, IN) -
There are now two books that every psychology undergraduate (and
graduate) student should be required to read and own -- Stanovich's
"How to Think Straight about Psychology" and this book. This book is a
ray of hope during a (frightening) time when subjective experience is
favored over objective/empirical data. Chalk one up for science. Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Psychology 101 Redux, November 30, 2009
By Brandon Schultz -
There are two very impressive aspects of this book: 1) the types of
"myths" that the authors tackle, and 2) the quality of their
literature reviews. On the first point, I was excited to see the
authors make strong evidence-based critiques of the Alcoholics
Anonymous model of addictions treatment, the long-term effects of
childhood sexual abuse, the autism 'epidemic,' and others. It would
have been easy to write another 'skeptics diary' of obvious
psychomythology (e.g., phrenology, ESP, etc), but the authors really
stick their necks out in some instances. On the second point, the
authors' conclusions are well-supported by the research they cite. As
a school psychologist, I was impressed to see a very thoughtful
handling of the research on so-called 'learning styles,' for example.
I've not seen a better handling of this topic in any book meant for
mass consumption, and this section alone was worth the purchase. So
overall, I would describe the book as a very well-written Psychology
101 Redux that debunks a lot of common misconceptions.
However, I would take issues with a few of the "Other Myths to
Explore" at the end of the chapters, which could be easily
misinterpreted. For example, on page 63 the authors claim that
"children with extremely high IQs have much higher levels of creative
accomplishment in adulthood than other children." While this is
generally correct, it ignores research showing that 'extremely' high
IQs do not predict the next Einsteins or Lincolns. In Lewis Terman's
famous study, his high IQ group did very well into adulthood, but not
up to Terman's predictions of greatness--in fact, most turned out to
be very average adults. Such 'nuggets' at the end of the chapters are
a little too concise, and this is why I give the book 4 stars rather
than 5.
And if the authors are reading, I recommend the following myths for
future editions:
Stimulant use in childhood increases the risk of addictions in
adulthood
ADHD is caused by video games and excessive television viewing
It is easy for criminals to fake mental retardation in order to avoid
the death penalty
Boys are more aggressive than girls
"Wilderness Programs" are highly effective for juvenile delinquents
The DARE program is very effective in reducing/preventing drug use
Adolescents with jobs are less likely than their unemployed peers to
engage in risky behavior
Child abuse is much more common now than ever before
I could go on, but I'll stop there. The point is, even though
psychology is a 'soft science,' there are issues around which
consensus has been built. Yet, many misonceptions still exist. Indeed,
many readers unfamiliar with the field may find some of the authors'
conclusions controversial (autism and the MMR vaccine leaps to mind),
but the research evidence to the contrary is very compelling. This
book does a great job explaining how. Help other customers find the
most helpful reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
What we might want to believe, February 2, 2010
By Edward M. Freeman "Ioannis Edward M. Freeman" (Miami, Florida)
-
Myths, like memory, can reconstruct events for ceremony and solace. In
its cultural or religious sense, myth can serve as transformer. That
is not the sense of myth utilized in this book.
In this book, a myth is a false and misleading conclusion, which urban
legend supports despite evidence to the contrary. The purpose of this
book is to present evidence to the contrary, still encouraging readers
to decide for themselves. I appreciated an authorial tone of respect
for readers throughout the book. Along the way, however, the book does
more. It also questions the motives of myth extenders--the people who
benefit by keeping the myths alive.
Hapless myth extenders for 50 urban legends have been exposed. Of
course, some of these myth extenders have built empires on charisma
and mumbo-jumbo. However, who among us has never been an unwitting
accomplice to the charade? Not I.
I have participated by having made conjectures contrary with myths
that these esteemed authors collected, analyzed and exposed in this
book. After I had become aware that I should check my sources before I
spoke a next time, I should have identified a questionable conclusion
with more scruple in speech. The value of this book in my opinion is
that it collects 50 prominent myths, and raises sufficient caution in
evidence that the book taught me academic humility again. Evidence
speaks louder than charisma and mumbo-jumbo.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
A must read book for all intelligent people, November 25, 2009
By D. Gerzon (Paramus, NJ United States) -
I want to say that this book was like a breath of fresh air in the
ocean of "garbage" that is constantly unleashed on all of us in today.
It seems that almost anybody with access to a computer can write a
book today with dubious claims that takes time and efforts to avoid.
So it was with great pleasure that when I finally got my hands on this
book I felt once again that there are still healthy and sane people
around me who do care for scientific facts. I got recommendation for
this book from newsletter sent by Stephen Barrett, M.D from [...] and
as always I was not disappointed.
You would think that books like that would become a must read not only
for adults but for teens and young adults who just start their lives
and are very receptive to all this popular psychology that flies
around. I would insist that both my children (8 and 13) read this book
and discuss it with us. It's very important for us as parents to teach
our children to be able to distinguish the pop-psychology from
scientific facts. But most importantly I want my children to
understand that some of those myths can be not so innocent and can
create real damage.
So 5 stars for this book are well deserved. Thank you. Help other
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
A dose of science, February 1, 2010
By Max Polun (Hamilton, NJ USA) -
All too often the popular perception of psychology has been clouded by
a great many myths, misconceptions and outright falsehood. This book
give a dose of what the current mainstream scientific views are on a
great number of subjects (the 50 myths are just the ones that are
explained, each chapter has a list of short items that are given 1
sentence answers). The book honestly points out where legitimate
controversy still exists, but most of the myths discussed are not
particularly controversial. The only thing keeping it from perfection
is a somewhat dry style, that may keep it from being the best for the
general audience.
A good read for anyone with an interest in science or psychology, but
not necessarily any formal psychological training. Help other
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Required Reading1, December 23, 2009
By D. Flaten -
This book should be required reading for anyone currently or proposing
to go into education. It forces us to take another look at current
misconceptions that may affect our teaching and other educational
services. Every statement is supported by research. The book included
an extensive list of sources. Read it slowly and enjoy. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
A fine pick for any psychology collection, January 12, 2010
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) -
50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology offers both students of
psychology and consumers a fine book discussing science and everyday
psychology. It offers facts and pinpoints fallacies about psychology,
debunking popular myths and presenting evidence that also explains why
people come to believe in these falsehoods. It's a fine pick for any
psychology collection. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
28 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
superficial and misleading, January 26, 2010
By royal see "roman" (missoula) -
Unfortunately this book is a rather sad attempt to "bust" some events
that psychologists and psychiatrists currently disagree about. both
sides can raise literature that supports their viewpoint. Novices
lacking substantial experience can easily be misled by some statements
contained here that are in themselves inaccurate and poorly analyzed.
Take for example hypnosis. While hypnosis does not register as delta
wave sleep or even rem sleep, yet anyone who has deep experience with
the phenomenon knows that it is not alpha nor beta wave wakefulness as
wakefulness is normally defined. in fact deeper hypnotic states
contain more theta waves akin to deep meditative states that are not
sleep yet are not exactly normal wakefulness. hundreds of EEGS have
been conducted on hypnotized and deeply meditating subjects that show
little alpha or beta.this is enough to bust the mythbusters myth. Then
again when hypnosis is properly conducted with the right subject the
bodily physiological changes and heightened susceptibility to
suggestions is unmistakable. While people may snap out of a deep state
if asked to violate a personal value, yet with proper manipulation
people can do rather strange things they would normally never do.
Lets bust another of this silly books myths.The book claims that anger
is not too helpful and it is but a catharsis.It seems that whoever
wrote this does not exactly seem to comprehend that anger is a
biological evolutionary organismic state that serves a function in
most common species.While some individuals use anger as a defense
against deeper hurts in an inappropriate and sometimes unhealthy
manner, i speak of rage-aholics who derive no benefit from raging
other than a "catharsis",...yet for many others expressing anger can
constitute a breakthrough in their healing.The expression needs to be
expressed in a non harmful way perhaps in one's privacy or in session
away from the target of the anger. When expressed genuinely and as a
reaction to some hurt or neglect or other abuse, anger will no longer
be a "catharsis" per se rather it will be a well formed well expressed
affect, emotion or feeling in therapy jargon and it can have a healing
effect especially if connected to the underlying hurt.
Another myth this book creates is the view that memory is only
reconstructive and hence the implication is that it most probably is
tainted by later cognitions perceptions and errors. This smells to me
like the unholy controversy about uncovered or repressed memories.
This controversy is not scientific and never was. Anyone who has
worked deeply with simple and traumatic memories recognizes that BOTH
kinds of memories are available either via visual remembrances or body
movement in addition to the more common verbal thought memories.
Moreover any scientifically disciplined worker with memory research
will tell you that while reconstructive memories may be prone to
interferences and errors yet other deeper memories are almost like
recordings. One of my patients uncovered a conversation with her
deceased dad at age two or so where he tells here about a suitcase
buried under a sofa in the old house that was currently occupied by a
relative. The patient had enough courage to check her revelation, took
permission to look at the recalled location and found a case with
parting letters to her explaining the conditions of her adoption. a
letter to an uncle, a handgun and 2 kilos of gold jewelry belonging to
her deceased at birth mother! The woman had no previous recollection
of any of this at any point in her life. she was in her early forties
when this emerged. I provide this as one of dozens of anecdotes in
only one practice,where the patient rediscovered verbatim previously
unknown things. A male patient in his thirties wailing non verbally in
terror and contorting his body in typical birth movements of the legs
torso head and neck pointed to his temples suggesting pain there
accompanying the deep fear. After working with him for a while ,he
relaxed and reached a closure but was not sure what his body was
reliving. He was asked to have his mother call me. asked about a
complicated delivery , she was stunned affirming that the head would
simply not emerge for painfully excessive stretches of time. She asked
how i had known and and was surprised even further when asked if
forceps extraction had been used extensively.Again she was stunned and
admitted that no one knew this but the forceps had been used very
intensely and the baby had almost died , that he cried constantly for
over a week. To any clinician experienced enough to recognize a body -
expressed memory, this would be a bullet through the heart of this
book's memory myth. We have just busted the busters again. And to nail
the coffin of that myth ,there is EEG work plus SPECT scan imaging
showing unusual and uncommon brainwave and brain activity patterns
when deep accurate memories emerge indicating a special theta -delt-
beta combination of brainwaves when this happens, a highly unusual
mixture in perfectly normal brained people who are actually re living
mind and body an old usually traumatic situation.
I highly recommend the title"pseudoscience in biological psychiatry"
in addition to "the love that wasnt" and "blaming the brain" amongst
other works to allow the layman and the serious and aspiring therapist
not to be mislead by superficial attempts like this reviewed title
sometime making sweeping statements based on one or two measly studies
to attempt to disprove perhaps a hundred years of solid clinical
experience. Rather sad. I will use an example from nutrition to
demonstrate that studies are deceptive and frequently twisted to back
up ones own subjective opinion. In the case of vitamin C, one pathetic
study came out saying that 200 milligrams daily was more than enough
and another said that 500 is the redline for humans. The media ran
this one disparaging study and people started fearing vitamin C. What
the foolish media did not tell everyone was that there were upwards of
13000 (that's correct thirteen thousand ) studies globally
demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of vitamin C for humans
including megadoses of 10-20000mgs per day and even more if given IV.
Interestingly, a sober statistical research of scientific and medical
articles showed that in only a few years after publication and
universal acceptance as scientific truths, approximately 60 percent
prove to be worthless,either outright faked or erroneous in execution
and interpretation.60 percent of what science and medicine believe
today will metamorphose into worthless garbage in a few years.
Shamefully sad. i believe this book is one of these silly superficial
books that may mean good and sounds scientific here and there but in
the end tends to propagate its own myths. I fear the emperor has no
clothes!
To be fair ,my evaluation was based on partial reading of the contents
and thus the book may possibly contain some acceptable material along
with this gibberish that i found myself forced to comment about. Help
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1 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Very interesting, November 14, 2009
By Diana "dazed and confused" (Las Vegas, nv USA) - See all my
reviews
This is written in more of a textbook style and not for the pop
psychology reader. It has a lot of very useful information. Help other
customers find the most helpful reviews
http://www.amazon.com/Great-Myths-Popular-Psychology-Misconceptions/product-reviews/1405131128/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Classics of Organization Theory (Paperback)
~ J. Steven Ott (Author, Editor), Jay M. Shafritz
Jay M. Shafritz (Author, Editor)
3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews
(8 customer reviews)
Price: $57.00 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
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Customer Reviews
Classics of Organization Theory
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
Delivers what it says....
I used this book (actually the 3rd edition) in preparing for my
comprehensive exams for my master's degree. The title is descriptive.
The book is short excerpts of key writings on the organization theory.
The selection of readings is appropriate. The only complaint I have is
that sometimes I wished I had the complete book in question! On the
other hand, some of this stuff...
Read the full review ›
Published on March 14, 2000 by M. Broderick
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Boring
This is a very boring and dry read. The print is small and the
chapters are long. I had a hard time reading even portions of this.
Get it at the library if you have to read this book for a class.
Published 11 months ago by Rick
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
Delivers what it says...., March 14, 2000
By M. Broderick "mikebinok" (Oklahoma City, OK USA) -
I used this book (actually the 3rd edition) in preparing for my
comprehensive exams for my master's degree. The title is descriptive.
The book is short excerpts of key writings on the organization theory.
The selection of readings is appropriate. The only complaint I have is
that sometimes I wished I had the complete book in question! On the
other hand, some of this stuff is really dry. If you are pursuing the
field in an academic way, this is a valuable book. But I can't imagine
reading it for enjoyment or idle curioisity. Help other customers find
the most helpful reviews
Somewhat Boring, but Necessary, November 20, 2009
By Lakeesha L. Washington "LLW" (CA) -
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
The first 45 pages of this book were extremely BORING! Once you get
through them, the rest of the book is a pretty good read. Make sure
you read the introduction to each chapter and article. Help other
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Org Mgt, November 16, 2009
By S. Wise -
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
This book is the same book that was suggested on my syllabus for my
graduate Management Theory class, but was a whole lot cheaper online!
It arrived in a very timely mannner - and its soft cover!
The introductons are the best because it overs a clear overview of the
each section - some of the outdated writing of the articles can be a
bit tough to read through - so the intro's help a lot. Help other
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Dense, but well worth the read, October 30, 2009
By Wordworm -
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
If you want to know what was, and how we got to where we are today,
you'll get that with this book. I've been in public administration for
about 10 years. It's providing me with some great ah-ha's. Help other
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great transaction, September 22, 2009
By Robin M. Wagner - See all my reviews
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
I received exactly what I was hoping for and it was delivered quickly.
Highly recommend. Help other customers find the most helpful
reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Boring, March 23, 2009
By Rick -
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
This is a very boring and dry read. The print is small and the
chapters are long. I had a hard time reading even portions of this.
Get it at the library if you have to read this book for a class. Help
other customers find the most helpful reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Good reference book, June 29, 2008
By Gordon J. Brenner -
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
I have used this as a required textbook for one class, and referred to
the articles and references numerous times over the years. Help other
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1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
dull, dull, dull, April 16, 2007
By Monica (Campbell, CA, USA) -
This review is from: Classics of Organization Theory (with InfoTrac )
(Paperback)
Had to slog through this book for an OB class, never did see the
relevance. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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...and I am Sid Harth
