Reviews for Haight-ashbury A History

The average rating for Haight-ashbury A History based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2011-02-05 00:00:00 THOMAS PAUL I love this book. Perry gives detailed, factual information and insightful commentary. My high school students giggle at the mention of the word "hippie," but Perry demonstrates that theirs was a serious multi-dimensional counter-culture. There were factions within the movement, and Perry examines each one. For example, Kesey, Leary, and others had diverse reasons and attitudes toward using LSD. The Haight-Ashbury movement was brief, only about two years, and though it impacted music and fashion, I don't see much evidence in the world today for its plea for love, peace, and simplicity.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-05-27 00:00:00 Robert Rehak The story of the hippie counter-culture that started in America always baffled me. How is it that all of a sudden, a massive movement that embraces eastern culture and traditions, shuns war and establishments and advocates sexual freedom and the use of psychedelic drugs, rise up out of thin air? How is it that a certain chemical produced by Sandoz revolutionized this culture? How is it that a certain band from Liverpool managed to transform and sustain this revolution? This book gives a factual account of what happened in the late 60s in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco and how it became the world capital of this unique and fascinating culture. Written by Charles Perry of Rolling Stones fame, the book does a good job in bringing forth the events of that day and age. The book's more journalistic than creative, dense and full of facts. It is not a very fun read, so to speak, but it does give you a handful of interesting anecdotes, which managed to fuel my curiosity about the Haight-Ashbury district rather than quenching it.