Tripped

Nazi Germany, the CIA, and the Dawn of the Psychedelic Age

By: Norman Ohler

Narrated by: Joel Richards

“A fleet-footed and propulsive account . . . Brilliantly sifting a massive history for its ideological through lines, this is a must-read."" — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The author of the New York Times bestseller Blitzed returns with a provocative new history of drugs and postwar America, examining the untold story of how Nazi experiments into psychedelics covertly influenced CIA research and secretly shaped the War on Drugs.

Berlin 1945. Following the fall of the Third Reich, drug use—long kept under control by the Nazis’ strict anti-drug laws—is rampant throughout the city. Split into four sectors, Berlin's drug policies are being enforced under the individual jurisdictions of each allied power—the Soviet Union, Britain, France, and the US. In the American zone, Arthur J. Giuliani of the nascent Federal Bureau of Narcotics is tasked with learning about the Nazis’ anti-drug laws and bringing home anything that might prove “useful” to the United States.

Five years later, Harvard professor Dr. Henry Beecher began work with the US government to uncover the research behind the Nazis psychedelics program. Begun as an attempt to find a “truth serum” and experiment with mind control, the Nazi study initially involved mescaline, but quickly expanded to include LSD. Originally created for medical purposes by Swiss pharmaceutical Sandoz, the Nazis coopted the drug for their mind control military research—research that, following the war, the US was desperate to acquire. This research birthed MKUltra, the CIA's notorious brainwashing and psychological torture program during the 1950s and 1960s, and ultimately shaped US drug policy regarding psychedelics for over half a century.

Based on extensive archival research on both sides of the Atlantic, Tripped is a wild, unconventional postwar history, a spiritual sequel to Norman Ohler’s New York Times bestseller Blitzed. Revealing the close relationship and hidden connections between the Nazis and the early days of drugs in America, Ohler shares how this secret history held back therapeutic research of psychedelic drugs for decades and eventually became part of the foundation of America’s War on Drugs.

©2024 Norman Ohler (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Superb! 👍

All around in depth and extremely entertaining! I couldn't recommend checking this one out more!

Unique take on the story of LSD

It’s well written, a good general overview of LSD. Usually the German/Swiss component of the development of and then global ban on psychedelics isn’t presented, so this was unique to this story.

Ohler was inspired to research and write it because his mother has dementia and LSD is potentially a remedy. He explores that in the last section.

He also wrote a book called Blitzed about methamphetamines and WW2 which I’m excited to read soon.

Excellent book

Norman does an excellent job painting the full story of why LSD has been vilified and gives a hopeful account of its true potential. Loved this book.

Lsd

Wish the author was narrating it. Or at least someone German. Otherwise fantastic work and kept me engaged

Normans still got it

As emotional as Blitzed, but of a different more wholesome flavor as opposed to a crazy one

Fantastic insight to Humanities desperately needed tools for the new Frontier of our mind

Very well written and researched. this book sheds light on the yet unknown origin of psychedelic tools and how our own government(s) have been actively participating in the dark, selfish objective, of prohibiting humanities own evolution.

An absolute eye opener

The author did an absolutely fantastic job covering the history and use of psychadelic substances. Extremely informative and entertaining

A wow review buy the tab take the ride

Tripped is a deeply immersive exploration of human psychology, rendered through a surreal and existential lens. The narrative follows a protagonist whose experiences, referred to as “trips,” blur the boundaries between reality and delusion. These disorienting episodes serve as a metaphor for the character’s inner turmoil, challenging both the protagonist and the reader to question what is real.

The book’s fragmented narrative style and dense prose demand careful attention, mirroring the protagonist’s disorientation. Shifts in time and perspective contribute to a complex structure that, while challenging, enhances the thematic depth of the work. The author’s use of language is both innovative and evocative, requiring readers to engage deeply with the text.

Tripped tackles themes of alienation, existential dread, and the search for meaning in an indifferent universe. These themes are explored with a level of intellectual rigor that positions the book as a significant contribution to existential literature.

However, the book’s complexity may alienate some readers, particularly those who prefer straightforward narratives. The frequent shifts in time and perspective demand patience and may be difficult to follow.

Despite these challenges, Tripped is a remarkable work that pushes the boundaries of literary form and content. It offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, rewarding those who engage with its complexities. As a profound piece of postmodern literature, Tripped is likely to be the subject of continued discussion and analysis in years to come.

What a wonderful read

What a wonderful book. Narration is top notch and the story of the writer’s Mom adds the perfect touch.

Great history lesson and well written.

Excellently told and historically insightful. Hit all the important points and put a valuable life spin in things.