This work of literary journalism, by Tom Wolfe, is a great recreation in writing, of the life of Ken Kesey (author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) with the Band of Merry Pranksters. The Pranksters were followers of Ken Kesey in the 70's who experimented with drugs such as LSD and marijuana, traveling around the U.S. in a techno-colored bus christened "Furthur", recording their high from state to state. The group, under Kesey's orders, went to New York in search of Timothy Leary (also notorious for his acid use). The bus went back to California, with Neal Cassady (a famous Speed user) behind the wheel, to hold Acid Tests.
Ken Kesey's Acid Test were held to help promote the people of the late 60's and on (hippies) to expand their mind with acid, then learn how to open those mental doors themselves, without the use of LSD. They would rent out auditoriums to use for their tests, filled with people, projecting their films from the road, lights, and music from The Gratefull Dead (as they were just starting out). The Pranksters would have parties with the Dead and Hell's Angels regularly, and, at one point, went to Mexico (while Kesey was exiled, on the run from a charge for marijuana). The entire story is great to learn from and highly entertaining, with psychedelic drugs, Mexico, and crazy antics from the entire band of Merry Pranksters. Great read for anyone. Enjoy.
-Yours Truly
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