The psychedelic era of the sixties seems long ago. For those of us that lived through those tumultuous times it is hard to explain what they were like to those who never knew real freedom or the innocence of breaking new ground. The war in Vietnam, the civil disobedience that was going on, the racial awakening of many peoples in the cities and the reservations. I remember those times. So when this book became available I jumped at the chance to learn about Timothy Leary and the founders of the new consciousness movements. Drugs were and are a mainstay of the health of most people. The fact that some drugs were considered not worthy of study because they dont fit into the political views of the mainstream is still going on today. All that said I was unable to put this book down. From Algeria to California the story and the characters tell a story that was true then and still is today. This book tells Rosemary's story , A story that needs to be told because it contains the truths and the fallacies of politics and laws and drugs. If you lived then , much of this will sound familiar. The raids , the groups trying to find freedom, the strife. If you didnt live then you will find it still interesting but more than that you will learn how all of this impacted a person named Rosemary.

An insiders view of politics, government and drugs through the eyes of a woman who lived it.
Rosemary Woodruff Leary was a cultural pioneer of art, music and the New York City Beats and literati in the 1950’s. Her interest in consciousness and psychedelics began before she met Harvard Professor Timothy Leary in 1964. With an invitation to his Millbrook Estate she would became his psychedelic partner and eventually his third wife. There she played a critical role in the setting and shaping of the psychedelic movement and LSD experimentation. Although her contributions were ignored in the public eye, Leary would be quite open about it. Their relationship was plagued by a series of drug arrests and eventual imprisonment of Mr. Leary. Rosemary, with an appeal pending worked tirelessly with radical groups and individuals to plan Leary’s 1970 prison break. This led to Ms. Woodruff’s twenty three year life in hiding throughout the United States and abroad and within these pages Rosemary shares it all. We meet cultural leaders, learn of her insights and psychedelic experiences and her surrender to California authorities.
This is a wonderful read and very recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley and Park Street Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.