Rating: 
Summary: this is it
Review: This book is great. Never before and I suspect never agin has so much information been put in one book. The book explains the manufacturing of mdma, along with its stroger and weaker counter parts. the book tells you what the color of the reactions are going to be. you cant go wrong!!
Rating:
Summary: You want to know how to synthesiz MDM/MDMA this is the book!
Review: This book shows you not only how to synthesize MDMA but also how to synthesize all materials needed for the synthesis of MDMA. Its illustrated and has lots of good ideas. Great for a novice although I would recomend some collage courses in organic chemistry.
Rating: 
Summary: A useful adjunct
Review: Total Synthesis II is an informative book on the production of a variety of psychoactive phenylamines, detailing several of the more common processes used to synthesise common psychoactive phenylamines. The beginning of the book has some fairly accurate descriptions of general lab techniques used for organic chemistry work. There is a section which describes some of the more common methods used to obtain the precursors and general reagents required to synthesise a variety of organic chemicals.Whilst this book attempts to convey to the layman all the necessary knowledge required to manufacture amphetamines, most notably MDMA, it does little to explain the specifics of the chemistry being used. Despite claims to the contrary, it is my contention that this book alone does not provide enough information for your average speed or goog head to manufacture amphetamines in reasonable yields, or at all. This book does provide a useful compendium of current techniques and starting materials, which should be interesting to both law enforcement officials, and those inquisitive souls possessed of the necessary perseverence to garner an education in organic chemistry, and general lab practice. The book makes litle mention of the hazardous nature of many of the production techniques: hazardous to both the "chemist" and the end user, and it is likely that the sorts of people who will buy this book for the purposes of setting up commercial drug labs will injure or kill themselves using some of the techniques herein. This book does achieve the laudable goal of providing useful information to those people already possessed of a working knowlegde of organic chemistry and lab technique, also providing insufficient information for those people who just want to get rich quick by illegal means. This is noteworthy, because one of the main contributing factors in the illegality of drugs is the frequency of ignorant production by people not dedicated enough to understand that with which they play. A useful book, with an unusual narrative style.
Rating:
Summary: Basically more of the same.But still informative
Review: Well well,
After reading some of the reviews on this page, I had to put one in for the good guys. I would like to point out to possible future readers that yes, this book contains all you need, and possibly more. Most of the 'practically useable' recipies for the popular (methyldioxy-)/ phenyl- amines are here. Most of the speeds , xtc's etc.etc.
And that no, you don't need a chemistry degree to fabricate any or most of it.
But anyways, as I was saying, the thinking part of the book is also it's weakest element. I was a little disappointed at the very chatty character of some (read: most) of his procedural reviews. The author is more often then not guessing about a bit, and frankly, I doubt he has done his homework on some of the reaction mechanisms. Which btw, shouldn't be an excuse for you not to do it either. Some of the stuff in the book probably has been tried ,since most of it works fairly well. On a side note, strike is a bit lazy when describing the lab work, e.g. forgets to mention small details here & there. (f.i. don't boil ether without adding a drop of peroxide inhibitor, small stuff like that) .But anyways, that's nit picking. I did have some reservations about the 'make it yourself equipment' section, particularly when it came to 'pressure bombs' .Personally I'd vote against that sort of thing. (Making welds that withstand corrosive chemicals under >125bar & high temperature is a different cake if I may say so)
So in short, lot's of useable recipies. And in fact some nice 'total synthesis' pathways, very nice collection indeed. Even if only for educational purposes. Cute hand drawn illustrations, (how come nobody mentioned those ? At first I thought strike was a girl bcs of all the drawings.) ;) . A very chatty unprofessional writing style, mixed with some incoherent speculative ramblings, that are better ignored. Unless read for entertainment purposes. Sloppy lab procedures in general, but then again, nothing to become to upset about. A bit of common sense would help a lot, I suppose.
All in all, for $35-, you could do (a lot) worse. Combine it with something from the good uncle Fester. His equipment sections are marginally better then Strike's .
P.s. I to have come to understand Strike is locked up. So carefull carefull ! Seems the U.S. is the next Malaysia for druggies (or the next Paraguay for that matter). Best wishes for Strike. I hope he'll get through it.
Rating: 
Summary: Wow
Review: Wow, like many other people who wrote reviews, I also saw the documentry on the kids in Arizona and the case of strike, in health class. I really can;t believe this book exists. I mean our government is so controlling you would think they would outlaw a book like this. I personally think no drugs should be illegal. People should feel free to kill themselves. I mean if we have step by step manuals out there on how to make drugs, why do we outlaw them..........well anyway, interesting book.
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