Brian Blomerth's Bicycle Day

This book is incredible! It gives a great backstory to the development of this interesting chemical, and then dives into the first intentional usage with a beautifully crafted, vibrant and simply breathtaking array of visuals. It's a graphic novel unlike any other, and Brian does an incredible job of communicating the backstory behind Hoffmann's discovery and all the factors that led up to it, so that by the time you reach the trip itself you can fully appreciate how Hoffmann, and now you, have gotten there. I would recommend this for anyone who loves visual details and beautiful works of art; there's so many tiny things packed into each page that you can spend hours finding little easter eggs and things you might have missed at first glance. This is an example of an artist bringing all their talent and resources together for one immense undertaking, and succeeding in every way. I can tell this is going to be one of my all-time favorites.

No artist is better suited than Brian Blomerth to document the life of Swiss chemist and first acid-tripper Albert Hoffman. Stunningly rendered in six-color double-page illustrations, each illustration is a perfect gem, a product of an insanely fertile imagination, rendered with care and precision. Blomerth first takes us through Hoffman’s “normal” pre-acid days, working in Switzerland for Sandoz in 1938 (“YODELAYHEEHOO!”), investigating ergot alkaloids (don’t miss the informative intro by pharmacognosist Dennis McKenna), adds carefully researched doses of chemistry and then leads us to the fateful Bicycle Day, April 19, 1943, when Hoffman dropped 250 micrograms of acid and rode his bicycle home, high on what he later would refer to as “the sacred drug.” At this point Blomerth does something extraordinary: his illustrations appear to be rendered out-of-register – as if you should be donning 3-D glasses to view them – providing a trippy feel perfectly suited to the scene. His images become increasingly wild and hallucinogenic as the drug kicks in. I found myself focusing for sustained periods of time (straight!) on each illustration and every time I’d return to one I had previously viewed I’d see something entirely new. (The sample illustrations available on Amazon are excellent but by no means the best in the book). This book is bound to be an instant classic. In my opinion it’s seriously underpriced.

If you’re into psychedelia, and the culture that surrounds it, then this is the book to fill odd psychedelic mind of yours. This little graphic novel deserves a nice and comfy spot in your psychedelic section of your bookshelf.The book takes about 30 minutes, maybe 45 if you read McKenna’s foreword, but wow it unloads so much in those 30 minutes. Truly a trip the entire time, almost felt like I packed a bowl in my deemster pipe, I was in the world of “Bicycle Day”. Nothing was new besides the odd world I was dropped into, and I loved every second of. To be retold a story that I know dearly, in such a whimsical and artistic way was just so pleasing.Out of everything, the art and the way it unfolded stole my heart. What amazing artwork.Thank you for this book

Never mind that Hoffman and everyone else is drawn as a dog (as were the Wassermans in the companion book)--after all, it's a cartoon and meant to amuse and provoke--just as Hoffman himself was provoked by an experiment that so taunted him that he had to go back and try it again--with an appropriate dose of LSD. His bicycle ride home from work that day has been an underground myth for 80 years. Thanks to him, millions of people around the world have taken it and transformed their lives. Brian Blomerth's psychedelic art brings alive the delight and wonder, terror and laughter of a typical "trip". However, I would advise the inexperienced rider to walk the first time 'tripping', because every step can be transformational, and it's better to walk or ride with a friend. That way you will laugh more, scream less, and realize that yes, everyone does look a little bit like a dog--or a cat or, well, you'll see soon! Enjoy the ride and the read!

The book is fantastic. The art is mesmerizing. And it’s really educational! I highly recommend it for anyone who is a fan of science, history, hallucinogenics, or art.

Great purchase! The book came with only a slight front cover damage that is hardly noticeable. I didn’t realize the triangle in the bottom right side of the cover was on the plastic, so that was sad to see go when I tore it off in excitement. Otherwise, the excitement is still there! Beautiful artwork (even the exterior of the book is beautiful) and interesting til the very end. Great addition to my growing collection of psychedelic books.

This came to me so perfectly that I was afraid to even open it and the paper is such great quality that it almost feels as thick as you know what ;). We’ve needed a book like this for so long! We all know what ‘Bicycle Day’ is but to see the events visualized in anything besides your state of narcosis fantasies is amazing. Absolutely LOVE it!I just hope one day they can make this into a short animated movie.Long live Albert Hofmann!

Adventure back in time to the worlds first acid trip. Pleasant and excited reading. If you enjoy psychedelic reading then you're missing out of you've missed this classic