Hofmann's Elixir: LSD and the the New Eleusis

When I ordered this book I had no idea what a treasure it would be! After our dear and beloved Amanda Feilding transitioned from this world, I looked on Amazon to see if she had written any books, and came across this collection that she edited in 2008. In addition to editing the book, Amanda contributed an essay on “LSD and the Evolution of Consciousness,” but the book is overflowing with other precious material— 7 exquisite essays and transcribed talks by Albert Hofmann, rare and beautiful photographs, Albert’s original lab notes, and wonderful essays by Ralph Metzner, Jonathan Ott, Stanislav Grof, Huston Smith, and Myron Stolaroff. What a glorious experience reading this book has been, and I’m so glad to add this book to my library.

Great book, nothing else to say

In a 'better world' Albert Hofmann would have been one of the most revered figures of the 20th century. Not only for his discovery of LSD but mainly because it's so rare these days to find the perfect combination of mystic, philosopher and scientist. In this small but potent book we get an interview with a remarkable fresh and vigorous Hofmann conducted up to his 100th (!) birthday. But also a series of later day essays dealing with the discovery of LSD, his profound arguments for the obvious fact of 'intelligent design' and mini-portraits of fellow travelers like Ernst Jünger and Aldous Huxley. Second part of the book entails essays written in hommage to Albert. Words of wisdom from the likes of Stanislav Grof, Ralph Metzner and the woman behind this valuable book: Amanda Feilding. The market seems overflowing with naive, poorly written books by people who think they have discovered 'The Truth' because they have dabbled a bit with psychedelics of different sorts. Albert Hofman is a prime example of a person who has truly benefitted from these substances: creative, humble, intelligent and penetrating.

Bueno

In a 'better world' Albert Hofmann would have been one of the most revered figures of the 20th century. Not only for his discovery of LSD but mainly because it's so rare these days to find the perfect combination of mystic, philosopher and scientist. In this small but potent book we get an interview with a remarkable fresh and vigorous Hofmann conducted up to his 100th (!) birthday. But also a series of later day essays dealing with the discovery of LSD, his profound arguments for the obvious fact of 'intelligent design' and mini-portraits of fellow travelers like Ernst Jünger and Aldous Huxley. Second part of the book entails essays written in hommage to Albert. Words of wisdom from the likes of Stanislav Grof, Ralph Metzner and the woman behind this valuable book: Amanda Feilding. The market seems overflowing with naive, poorly written books by people who think they have discovered 'The Truth' because they have dabbled a bit with psychedelics of different sorts. Albert Hofman is a prime example of a person who has truly benefitted from these substances: creative, humble, intelligent and penetrating.

Hofmann's writings are worth reading. The rest of the book is interesting too.