Product Description

A driving force behind the social revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, Hoffman inspired a generation to challenge the status quo. Meant as a practical guide for the aspiring hippie, Steal This Book captures Hoffman's puckish tone and became a cult classic with over 200,000 copies sold. Outrageously illustrated by R. Crumb, it nevertheless conveys a serious message to all would-be revolutionaries: You don't have to take it anymore. "All Power to the Imagination was his credo. Abbie was the best. " Studs Terkel

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #401252 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 308 pages

Customer Reviews

thought provoking, entertaining & enlightening
The first time I read this book was while I was in 7th grade. At the time, growing up in a rural Pennsylvania community, this book and it's subjects provoked a great deal of excitement in the youth that read it and consternation among the adults that hadn't. True to his reputation, Abbey provided shock value for a meager price when the book was taken at "face value" as was "ours". It's a sad commemtary that while we read this book and spared th community from the ravishes of our new found knowledge, the same proposition today would scare the hell out of me as a parent in our present social climate. Still, provoking thought is as good a reason to read as any, so when my daughter is old enough she will be encouraged to read Abbey as I had. The only exception being, her copy will be given. Rest in peace Abbey.

worth a conviction
When asked to give a guest lecture at San Jose State University, I used pages from the chapter on People's Chemistry as my handouts. The class was on education and my lecture was titled Burn Down All Public Schools.

It was a lot of fun.

Hoffman was a celebrity and an icon and you typically had strong feelings about him but there are two facts that are often overlooked:

One: He was an original.

Two: He was an exceptionally talented writer.

This book is a gem.

Street Survival Guide For The 60's
This book was the BIBLE for street survival. The cons, tips, etc. are SEVERELY DATED by todays standards. But as a runaway, living on the streets of N.Y.C. in the early 70's, ALL THE SCAMS WORKED. I probably would have ended up having to GO HOME, were it not for the information in this book. Todays readers may find it a comical view of the "Revolution", but the people in the know, will tell you it was the greatest thing since the "Welfare Check". I STILL have my original copy (stolen from a bookstore, of course). REQUIRED READING for anyone studying the hippie revolution of the 60's