Pills-A-Go-Go: A Fiendish Investigation into Pill Marketing, Art, History & Consumption

by Jim Hogshire

Named after and based on Jim Hogshire's popular zine Pills-a-Go-Go, this book is both a celebration of the wonders of modern pharmacology and a study of our society's propensity to take a pill as an antidote for virtually all of life's problems. To Hogshire, pills are the quintessence of Western culture, embodying our desires, fears, ambivalence about life and death, health and freedom -- as well as our faith in the quick fix.

Hogshire muses on pill naming and marketing, presents up-to-the-minute pill news, and discusses celebrities and their pills of choice. Along the way, he provides histories of drug manufacturers and examines how pills are the product of decades of scientific exploration and the result of billions of dollars in research.

Genres: Nonfiction, Drugs, History, Psychology, Cultural, Art, Addiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like pharmaceuticals. That should probably be kept quiet.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While full of annoying editing errors, this still contains absolutely everything you ever wanted to know about every kind of fun pill in existence (and some no longer extant). There's also a handy guide about how to forge a prescription and the best way to break into a pharmacy, should one ever need that sort of knowledge. Also plenty of information about the shady dealings of the FDA, and all kinds of old-school advertisements for pharmaceuticals. A very entertaining and interesting read.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Offers a very thorough history and many vintage ads of pharmaceuticals from decades ago until now. Suggests some home remedies for sickness and also to get high, lol. Very interesting, great pictures. I never knew there was so much to know about pills!

[nelisijusailis · Rating 4 out of 5]

That's why we had a drug problem, I really feel. Because, like, everybody has access to drugs and we're all kind of just dopey.



We're just human beings, little protoplasm walking around, shaking hands -- 'How are you, Phil? Gimme a piece of lettuce.' You know, no real big thing, we're just kind of dopey folks and we have all these DRUGS available to us. You know, that's why there's a DRUG problem. There's all of those DRUG stores. Every three of four blocks there's a big sign: DRUGS. Open all night, DRUGS. Free Delivery, DRUGS. Cut rate, DRUGS. It's the biggest thing on their sign, cosmetics, sundries, DRUGS.


It's no accident that we're drug oriented, really. Big drug companies got us that way and they'd like to keep us that way and that's a simple thing. They start you early with the oral habit. Little orange flavored Aspirin for children, two in the mouth, son. Something wrong with your head? Two in the mouth, remember that, head, mouth.



These are orange, they'll be other colors later on. Even named it after a saint to throw you off, you know. It's all right, son. Two in the mouth. Saint Joseph.

When they talk about drugs they don't talk about all of them, that's the problem. They don't mention coffee -- the low end of the speed spectrum, I grant you. But there are coffee freaks. And they're walking around, nobody worried about it or anything. Mrs. Olsen never tells you about that mild speed lift, you know, because she's shooting freeze-dried Folger's.

[Bryan Hovey · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many mixed feelings about this book. On a positive note, the first part of the book is filled with fascinating information. It's very informative and educational. The last 1/3 of the book seems to concentrate on how to be a deviant and abuse drugs. I have mixed feelings about this but mostly lean toward the feeling that drug abuse has ruined many many lives and probably shouldn't be glorified. I'm not trying to be a prude. I've used various substances during my life for recreational purposes and still use alcohol on a regular basis. I've just heard of too many stories with bad endings that relate to abusing prescriptions and cough syrup and the like. Lastly - this book is riddled with grammatical errors and typos. I don't think anyone even bothered to proof read/edit it before it went to press. Add to that that many of the pages are printed with an image in the background that makes it very difficult to read the text - I can only give this book 2 stars.

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent collection of pill history, anecdotes, etc. Entertaining even if you aren't a habitual pill popper.

[Licca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A self admitted "pill head" accidentally makes several cases for why we need regulate the pharmaceutical and advertising industries.

[Caty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good old school ziney drug geek obsessive fun (for, like, some of my friends and I who memorize half-lives and pill inscriptions etc.) Could be a bit more politicized abt stuff like Thorazine, though.

[Elizabeth]

Very readable collection of essays about various drugs, and their abuse. Weird and frequently hilarious. The photos of old prescription drug ads (Gynorest? Quaaludes!) and essays about drug companies' advertising to doctors is especially thoughtful.

[Enriquè · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of my favorite Feral House books of all time! A comprehensive look at all things pharmacopeia and quick, fun & fascinating read from cover to cover! I’ve read it twice and enjoy having it in my library for reference & nostalgic purposes. Highly recommended

[matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

charming and informative

[Daniel Levesque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great zine compilation. I couldn't put it down. I leave it in the bathroom. (That's a compliment, actually) More addictive than Xanax.

[Momad Badzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a fun read. A dive into the land of pharmaceuticals.