The Timothy Leary Project: Inside the Great Counterculture Experiment

by Jennifer Ulrich

The life of Timothy Leary is examined through papers and correspondence preserved in his archive.

The first collection of Timothy Leary's (1920-1996) selected papers and correspondence opens a window on the ideas that inspired the counterculture of the 1960s and the fascination with LSD that continues to the present. The man who coined the phrase "turn on, tune in, drop out," Leary cultivated interests that ranged across experimentation with hallucinogens, social change and legal reform, and mysticism and spirituality, with a passion to determine what lies beyond our consciousness.

Through Leary's papers, the listener meets such key figures as Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, Ken Kesey, Marshall McLuhan, Aldous Huxley, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and Carl Sagan. Author Jennifer Ulrich organizes this rich material into an annotated narrative of Leary's adventurous life, an epic quest that had a lasting impact on American culture.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History

Audible Audio

Published August 13, 2024

Reviews

[Meike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Psychologist Timothy Leary was not only a central figure of the American counterculture, he has always been controversial and his views have been contested - which is the very reason why the guy is so interesting and the questions regarding his legacy are so relevant against the background of changing societal circumstances. And this brings us right to the heart of the problem I have with this book: It is a pure celebration of Leary's achievements, it is lacking nuance and critical distance that would help to evaluate and critically assess Leary's agenda.

Timothy Leary, who was at one point a professor of psychology at Harvard, was an advocate for the use of LSD in order to achieve consciousness expansion and conducted research about psychoactive drugs. It is fascinating to read how he built a network that included people like Aldous Huxley, Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, Ken Kesey, and John Lennon, how he was a pioneer in promoting the idea of exploring the self, and there is also no doubt that he seriously aimed to contribute to a better, more peaceful society. Ulrich, an archivist who spent more than a year working with Timothy Leary’s papers at the New York Public Library, presents many wonderful photographs, letters, posters, research sheets etc. that illustrate the life and times of Leary.

But it would certainly not be heresy to ask some critical questions: While Leary spoke out against the abuse of LSD, he promoted the controlled use of it - where do you draw the line? When laws were passed and the use of the drug was forbidden, he tried to evade these laws by creating his own church, so the use of LSD might be protected under the right to religious freedom - isn't that a pretty questionable move? Most importantly, though: A book about Leary simply must discuss whether his basic premise, that the use of LSD is beneficial, makes sense and what current research suggests. To read a book about a drug advocate that does not elaborate on negative effects and potential addiction is a bit strange, and even more so in times of the opioid crisis.

That's not what we get here. "(...) for Leary himself, the close of the decade (the 60's) was to see the limits of his vision decidedly challenged by the system." The spread of LSD was "a threat to the establishment." So there is no legitimate reason whatsoever for questioning whether the use of LSD is a good idea? Not only this framing of Leary as a martyr is annoying, it is also striking that some facts are hardly explained and dropped quickly: For instance, when giving testimony in front of the Special Subcommitte on Narcotics, "(...) he stated a case for regulation, (but) was not able to convey his usual positive message regarding the drug." And on another note, what was Leary's role as an FBI informant?

All in all, this feels like a missed chance.

[Niklas Pivic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a highly descriptive and kind look on Leary's life, which was, to it mildly, adventurous. To stack all of his experiences in the way the authors/editors have intended here, by splicing letters to Leary with photographs and descriptions of people, events and keeping a chronological timeliness, they mostly keep a cool head through a jagged passage. It's a trip, without Jest, this book, and very much recommended for a sample of what happened in Leary's life. I think the part of Leary's escaping the USA for Algiers should have been expanded on, but that's what we'll have another book, Minutaglio/Davis's "The Most Dangerous Man in America" for.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

privileged white mind expansion
appropriating indigenous culture
grandiose Post-Neo-Freudian
monkey wrenching the Machine
never looking back (most of the times)

[Cameron Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Timothy Leary Project' is a fascinating book about the life of Timothy Leary as told through his own personal papers, which are now held at the New York Public Library. The author, Jennifer Ulrich, processed these papers, so she has a unique view into Leary's lifework.

If you're a Leary novice like me, this book is a great place to start. Leary is a key figure in the counterculture movement of the 1960s, famous for advocating the use of LSD as a gateway to higher consciousness. This book takes you behind the scenes of everything you might have heard, never passing judgment on the man himself. Through detailed examinations of his personal letters and various correspondences, the reader is left to make their own decision about Leary and his contributions to society. The author supplements the text with numerous pictures, flyers, and all sorts of other ephemera to paint a broader picture of this unique time in history.

I especially enjoyed reading Leary's correspondence with folks like Allen Ginsburg and discovering how connected he was to the whole beat movement. Timothy Leary led quite the unique life, coming into contact with all sorts of people as he tried to get his message out. This book presents a thoughtful overview of Leary's life, using the man's own words and the words of those around him to tell the story.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, well documented book on Leary's life, definitely the Harvard years. He certainly had an impact on a generation, not in the way he planned. He brought mind altering drugs to the masses. For most people at that time it was recreational not intellectual. Of course this book does not get into the fact that for a percentage of the LSD users it turned out badly. Still he became a hero for many for a short time. Many cultures have had visionaries who find a way to go into a trance for their own reasons.
It was interesting to see how the chaos changed his life that I assume had been highly structured till middle age.
There may be other more comprehensive books to come, but I enjoyed the history through the correspondence. I am glad I lived during those times and got to remember them through this book

[Monika Iszard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Goodreads Book win. I really enjoyed this book about a man who didn't care what others thought about him. He did what he wanted to do and when he wanted to do it. Not one to stray from a challenge this man helped a culture that seemed to be lost. He told it like it was and when you are on mind-altering drugs you tend to experience things that you would not normally. Leary was he own person and he was proud of that. I felt that this book gave a better understanding of the drug culture and what some people were willing to do or try to get a better grip of "What it is all about" I would recommend this book. In fact I wish I had met this man , it would have been an interesting trip.

[Marge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, some of this was a trip (pun intended) down memory lane to a degree since as a huge leader and face of the 60s and more, I like most Boomers was/am familiar to at least a facet of his persona. What Ulrich does rather effectively, is take troves of primary sources to render then introduce readers to a multi-dimensional--social scientist, educator, philosopher, and leader to name a few--human. I encourage those who may be even a bit curious about Leary/The Counterculture or like me sort of seek an enriched revisit of a major figure who defined a point in time filled with controversy, change, and living life to its core, to pick-up this book.

[Joseph Spuckler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Timothy Leary Project: Inside the Great Counterculture Experiment is a biography put together by the phycologist's notes, letters, and other documents. Jennifer Ulrich is the curator of the documents as well as editor and author of this book. Leary's son, Zach, provides the forward.

Leary was ultimately known for the use of psychedelic drugs to increase human consciousness and experience. This work shows the transformation of a middle-class phycologist into the counterculture guru. Early correspondence is with Allen Ginsberg but is not limited to the Beat culture although it did offer a starting point for experiments and documentation. Leary conversed with others too like Carl Sagan.

Documents include "trip reports" from various volunteers. Leary turned to Albert Hofman, the first person to synthesize LSD and take it. Hofmann is also known for writing his experience of riding a bicycle while on LSD. Aldous Huxley is also a source of letters and information until his death in 1963.

Some space is given to Leary as a fugitive.  His 1965 Laredo arrest under the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 lead to a conviction and a thirty-year sentence.  The Marijuana Tax Act was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.  Although Leary was free, it did lead to the creation the DEA and federal controlled substance laws under Nixon.  Leary was arrested again in California in 1970 and sent to a low-security prison.  He promptly escaped and moved to Algiers, then Switzerland.  Returning back to Switzerland from Afghanistan he was taken into custody by US agents.  Governor Brown would later pardon him in 1976.  In an interesting change of events, Leary took to personal computers as his new savior.  In fact, one of Leary's last acts was posting a recipe for an edible marijuana bud on a Ritz cracker. 

An interesting look at Leary through his personal documents.  It's not quite a biography in a traditional sense but an examination of personal papers.  A book for the reader with knowledge of Leary's life and work but wants to see more of the original documents. 

[rav · Rating 3 out of 5]

more 3.5/5

it’s cool to witness the coming together of an entire movement around counterculture/hallucinogenic drugs. Leary didn’t set out to do this in life but one experience in his 50s propelled him to change the entire course of his life. more of a research book so it’s a bit teeth pulling to read at times but otherwise the author pulls together emails, articles, fliers, concert marketing etc to show how Leary was spearheading the counterculture movement. the fascinating part was seeing how Leary worked with academic institutions, writers, artists, other researchers around the world, and companies to gain energy around his research for psilocybin.

[L.T. Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

you can never sum up Timothy Leary in any one event or document

…but this book made a valiant and worthwhile effort to cover highlights of his life in the avalanche of the 1960s and beyond. He touched many, and was touched in turn, and his vibes continue to resonate now and for time to come. Sometimes a genie, occasionally a genius, cosmic in his aspirations, he was and is impossible to pin down. The immensity of his paper trail is revealed here, and that’s a fine start.

[Jimmy Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written book. Baby boomers will enjoy Timothy Leary's story. It would also interest psychology students and practitioners unfamiliar with Mr. Leary. Timothy Leary was legendary in the 1960s—1970s culture. The book describes the many important people he crossed paths with, and it is surprising.

[Kaede Hulsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I have always held a special place in my heart for the people who defined the Beat Generation and this book shows how all of these characters worked together to form a counter culture movement that still has impacts today.

[Chris Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay but I'd question the value of a lot of the archived material.

[Lucas Swindler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book for learning about Timothy Leary in a more broad way. If you don’t have an exuberant excitement to learn about Timothy Leary, or don’t really want to get into the weeds about his life, this is a perfect book. It’s more than reading his Wikipedia page, but less than reading every essay he ever wrote, which is all I wanted.

[Katy]

I received my copy free through Goodreads Giveaways

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zach Leary and Michael Horowitz provide intros for this carefully curated and often engaging volume which combines personal, political and social contexts to the life and work of this often infamously remembered advocate for consciousness upgrading. Jennifer Ulrich, a professional archivist who was brought in to curate the papers and correspondence included here has done a really good job of presenting an interesting, balanced and pretty well-rounded picture of a man that is suitable even for readers completely unacquainted with Leary. For those of us more familiar with his life, work and legacy, there is the added bonus of some fantastic photos and reproductions of letters - from Allen Ginsberg, for example - as well as a potpourri of original event flyers, art and other ephemera much of which is being seen here in print for the first time. In short it's an excellent primer for Leary novices and this era's resurgence of interest in psychedelic research and history.

[Chris]

Notable in lack of detail.
Brief mention only without discussion of Leary's association as an "informer."
In the forward there is a note by Leary's stepson about his having become part of the
regular Hollywood community.
Minimal explanation.
A record of major cultural change, an era of change,
little elaboration.