Run Run Run: The Lives of Abbie Hoffman

by Jack Hoffman, Dan Simon, Paul Krassner (Foreword)

An intimate portrait of one of the most fascinating and complex history-makers of our century, published to coincide with the 30th anniversary of his death

Intertwining the details of Abbie Hoffman's intense personal life with the dramatic politics of the sixties, seventies, and eighties, Jack Hoffman creates a full and poignant portrait of his older brother. From the creation of the Yippies! in 1967, the tumult of the 1968 Democratic Natonal Convention protests, the humor and agaony of the Chicago conspiracy trial, the scandal of Abbie's 1973 cocaine bust and his six and half years as a fugitive, to his reemergence as environmentalist "Barry Freed" and his final struggle with manic-depressive illness, this biography offers a compelling examination of the contradictions that make Abbie Hoffman such a compelling figure.
     With the information and affection only a brother could bring to the complexities of Abbie's life, Jack Hoffman, together with Daniel Simon, portrays Abbie's public persona alongside his private aspirations and fears, romances, and enduring family relationships.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

532 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 1994

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not just about a counterrevolutionary from the 60s. It is about family relationships. It is about drug abuse in an effort to numb the pain. It is about manic-depressive disorder. It is about suicide. But it also is about hope and love and finding one's voice. It is about having the courage to stand up in the face of injustice and scream for justice. Abbie Hoffman was a fascinating human being with all the eccentricities that make the ordinary extraordinary.

[Mariellen Defort · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good reminder of the climate of the 60's......written by a loving brother

[Bart Everson]

Abbie Hoffman is one of my heroes. This biography by his brother is heartfelt and true, presenting a moving portrait of a fully human being, complete with tragic flaws and heroic optimism.

[Evan Laundrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing biography, could not put this down. Fascinating subject

[Tentatively, Convenience · Rating 4 out of 5]

If any relative of mine ever writes a bk about me DO NOT TRUST IT ONE IOTA FOR ONE NANOSECOND. My relatives cd see me beaten to death & it wd just be the Lord's way of showing me the error of my ways or some shit. On the other hand, this bk co-written by Abbie Hoffman's brother seems actually sympathetic & believable. I admired Hoffman & dedicated a bk of mine to him. It still seems odd to me that both Jerry Rubin & Hoffman died in their early 50s - it's hard not to imagine assassination - esp given the nature of their 2 deaths: Hoffman by phenobarbitol OD & Rubin hit by a car. Still, Jack Hoffman makes a good case for believing that Hoffman's death was a suicide. This bio isn't written w/ the flair that Hoffman's own writing was - but then who'd expect it to be?

[Manda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is by Abbie Hoffman's brother, so it provides an interesting perspective. It might be a little biased in Abbie's favor, BUT it does an admirable job of seperating the government propaganda from the yippie legend from the real man. In most cases, Jack Hoffman even labels which is which. I appreciated that.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abbie Hoffman was such an incredible person, and this book was an interesting review of his life. In today's climate, the media doesn't spend much time on civil disobedience. Abbie Hoffman elevated this to an art.

[Carol Storm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poignant in places, but not really insightful. To Jack Hoffman, Abby is still Big Brother . . . and Big Brother can do no wrong!