Rating: 
Summary: A very thorough and valuable history of the early years
Review: This investigative tour de force covers in great detail the years from 1943 (and a little before) up through the LSD hysteria circa 1965-7. I'm marking it down a star because of its inexplicable lack of an index, which greatly reduces its value as a research reference -- which it surely deserves to be. There are so many biographies trying to be told simultaneously here that it sometimes got a bit confusing. It also tends to go off on occasional tangents, digressing at what to me seemed like too great a length regarding some of the characters of the story which (again) to me seemed more like minor ones not worth the many background pages devoted to them. But those are rather small quibbles really.Stevens is pretty good at keeping central issues front and center as events unfold: eg, how the psychological models evolved over time, and the socio-political question of whether the power of this amazing molecule was for the masses or just for the few -- both of which became more or less moot as events over-ran things. I liked "Acid Dreams" a microgram or two more than this book, probably because it emphasizes cultural rather than personal history more, but still had a difficult time putting "Storming Heaven" down for very long. It's extremely information-rich and well-written -- it's rather dispassionately objective while still being interesting. It would probably only disappoint those looking for simple answers.
Rating:
Summary: A very thorough and valuable history of the early years
Review: This investigative tour de force covers in great detail the years from 1943 (and a little before) up through the LSD hysteria circa 1965-7. I'm marking it down a star because of its inexplicable lack of an index, which greatly reduces its value as a research reference -- which it surely deserves to be. There are so many biographies trying to be told simultaneously here that it sometimes got a bit confusing. It also tends to go off on occasional tangents, digressing at what to me seemed like too great a length regarding some of the characters of the story which (again) to me seemed more like minor ones not worth the many background pages devoted to them. But those are rather small quibbles really. Stevens is pretty good at keeping central issues front and center as events unfold: eg, how the psychological models evolved over time, and the socio-political question of whether the power of this amazing molecule was for the masses or just for the few -- both of which became more or less moot as events over-ran things. I liked "Acid Dreams" a microgram or two more than this book, probably because it emphasizes cultural rather than personal history more, but still had a difficult time putting "Storming Heaven" down for very long. It's extremely information-rich and well-written -- it's rather dispassionately objective while still being interesting. It would probably only disappoint those looking for simple answers.
Rating: 
Summary: A Real Mind Opener
Review: This is a brilliantly researched and executed book. It will change your view on a lot of things (from religion from politics). There is a LOT more to this book than just LSD, it is an expose on an incredible (and misunderstood) time in recent history. This is a brilliant book. I assure you it is worth your time and effort. Grab a copy if you ever see it. It WILL open your mind.
Rating:
Summary: Superb in every way
Review: This is simply one of the greatest works of non-fiction, and I only stop there because it's so difficult to categorize. History, biography, science and sociology seamlessly mingle in some of the most ecstatic -- yet not over-the-top -- prose one is likely to encounter. This is one of those books that you are truly sad to see end, so rich is Stevens' portrayal of a time and its remarkable characters, Leary and Kesey foremost among them. For once a book that deserves the epithet 'remarkable'.
Rating:
Summary: Technicolored Masterpiece of a Maelstrom
Review: This is very likely the best book I have ever read. It gave me a taste for any non-fiction which is written in "story" form. Jay Stevens leads us down a realistic but picturesque garden path, stopping at many points along the way to point out the more fascinating individuals and descriptions of the world, created by this incredible chemical. He quotes one voyager as saying "I was struck more by its strangeness than its beauty." Obviously a man with some experience of that other world, Stevens is slick as well as humane in his treatment of what it did to a generation, and what happened to them when it was over. From the moment Albert Hofmann accidentally ingested the stuff in Basle, to the studious setting of Huxley's awakening, to Tim Leary and his anti-establishment stance in the bowels of Harvard, to Allen Ginsberg's being born again, and on into the psychological armageddon beyond Altamont, Stevens' voice never wavers, but becomes ever clearer, more colorful and true. I lay on a bed for two days straight and read this big book. It was a trip, and the volume stands in a very convenient spot on my bookshelf. It shines.
Rating:
Summary: Allowing "Generation X " to understand "Generation?"
Review: When generation X looks back on the past, it's easy to get the picture. Cheech and Chong and Woodstock right? Jay Stevens who obviously feels this stereotyping is getting out of hand, sends us 19 to 30 range on a magic carpet ride. Storming Heaven distributes the controversial substance LSD in a form uunlike most non fiction. Labratories and bordellos, parks and experiments come to life, while Stevens carefully rations narcotic expertise with historical fact. This books provides anyone wanting crystal clear perspective about LSD as well as history in the last half century. Right down to the bicycle ride home.(I'll let you find out)
Rating:
Summary: Quality journalistic-type writing
Review: _Storming Heaven_ is a non-ficticious account of the history of the spread of LSD in America and England during the 50's and 60's. It gives detailed accounts of all of the major players in the early days of the synthesization and distribution of this drug. It is not as thoughtful or philosophical as I hoped, and has little to say about the implications and nuances of the actual effects of the drug. However, I came to accept this book for what it is, which is a matter-of-fact description of how this drug progressed from the university offices and laboratories to the streets of San Francisco. This book has much to say about both the east-coast and west-coast acid scenes of the 50's and 60's. In the east, you have Timothy Leary, Richard Alpert, and Alan Watts, and their whole gang of weirdos hanging out in an acid-soaked mansion in Millbrook NY. It is very interesting to read about the(mis)adventures of these three men, all of whom (especially Alan Watts) are gifted and accomplished writers. For those who are fans of their work, _Storming Heaven_ is a must-read if for no other reason than to get some idea of the formative influences of these writers. The west coast scene, in contrast, was less intellectual and more of a free-for-all. Jay Stevens describes the exploits of Ken Kesey, and the riders of his magic bus. Of course any discussion of Ken Kesey will inevitably lead to a discussion of the Grateful Dead, and the handiwork of their "chemist" mr. Owlsley. Stevens also covers the involvement of the Hell's Angels in this west coast movement. All of this makes for very entertaining, albeit light, reading.
Rating:
Summary: Quality journalistic-type writing
Review: _Storming Heaven_ is a non-ficticious account of the history of the spread of LSD in America and England during the 50's and 60's. It gives detailed accounts of all of the major players in the early days of the synthesization and distribution of this drug. It is not as thoughtful or philosophical as I hoped, and has little to say about the implications and nuances of the actual effects of the drug. However, I came to accept this book for what it is, which is a matter-of-fact description of how this drug progressed from the university offices and laboratories to the streets of San Francisco. This book has much to say about both the east-coast and west-coast acid scenes of the 50's and 60's. In the east, you have Timothy Leary, Richard Alpert, and Alan Watts, and their whole gang of weirdos hanging out in an acid-soaked mansion in Millbrook NY. It is very interesting to read about the(mis)adventures of these three men, all of whom (especially Alan Watts) are gifted and accomplished writers. For those who are fans of their work, _Storming Heaven_ is a must-read if for no other reason than to get some idea of the formative influences of these writers. The west coast scene, in contrast, was less intellectual and more of a free-for-all. Jay Stevens describes the exploits of Ken Kesey, and the riders of his magic bus. Of course any discussion of Ken Kesey will inevitably lead to a discussion of the Grateful Dead, and the handiwork of their "chemist" mr. Owlsley. Stevens also covers the involvement of the Hell's Angels in this west coast movement. All of this makes for very entertaining, albeit light, reading.
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