Tripped

Utterly fascinating and illuminating. In tracing the curious origins of LSD as a drug and as a cultural phenomenon - a compulsive maze-like trail that takes in obscure Swiss institutes, the rise of Nazi Germany, the philosophy of brainwashing, CIA conspiracies, the White House and Elvis Presley - Norman Ohler also cleverly throws fresh light on the Cold War that dominated the late twentieth century: a global struggle for psychological supremacy and psychic liberation. On top of all this, his storytelling is not only beguiling but - by the end - profoundly moving as well. It is possible that LSD will have a part to play in all our medical futures: this gripping and deeply felt book will tell you why -- Sinclair McKay, author of Berlin

A fascinating book about the battle for LSD, which shines a light on the relationship between antagonistic powers, secret services and the medical industry. An astonishing read, with remarkably vivid protagonists. -- Harald Jahner, author of Aftermath

In this superb sequel to Blitzed, Tripped is a riveting and witty book about the obscured history of LSD. From the Swiss scientist and corporation that created the powerful hallucinogenic, the Nazis, G-men and spooks that criminalized the chemical to the current boom in psychedelic research and startups: Tripped shows the awesome power of acid. Meticulously researched and deeply personal, Norman Ohler weaves a masterful tapestry of history in this revealing and fresh account -- David de Jong, author of Nazi Billionaires

A brilliant expose of how Dr Albert Hofmann's epic discovery of LSD got lost in the ensuing war on drugs and the corollary, its misuse for mind-control, that hurt him personally and has hampered investigation into the potential therapeutic and spiritual benefits of the pharmaceutical -- Professor Carl Ruck, author of The Road to Eleusis

Norman Ohler's fascinating study involves Nazis, the CIA, and LSD in an engaging narrative that provides a mind-altering history of "brain warfare" and exposes the Cold War psychedelic fantasies of many within the US scientific and intelligence communities. A must read for those interested in understanding the apocalyptic mindset of the nascent superpower rivalry -- Edward B. Westermann, author of Drunk on Genocide

With cracking prose, Norman Ohler's Tripped is high-octane history writing, rich in acidic humour. You'll be in ecstasy -- Joseph Pearson, author of My Grandfather's Knife