Dropping Acid and Names

Terry Southern (Nile Southern and Josh Alan Friedman, eds.)

Now Dig This: The Unspeakable Writings of Terry Southern, 1950-1995 (2001)

Most of the things that I found striking about the book are not really repeatable in this forum. Let's just say that drugs, sex, and celebrities play a major role.

The book was recommended to me in several different places, mostly on-line, mostly by comedy writers citing their influences. I can see how this is mind-expanding stuff, and it's well-written, it's just not easy for me to relate to it.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as reading should broaden your horizons. And if you're curious about how, for example, William Burroughs, Jean Genet, and Terry Southern eluded the Chicago police during the 1968 "riots," then you're in for a treat. Or if you want to know about some of the behind-the-scenes shenanigans of Dr. Strangelove, or if you want some insightful cultural (literary, musical) reviews, this is for you.

Ah, now I know what's been bugging me about the book all along. He's not very self-critical.

Still. Good read.