The Book of the Week is “Square Dancing In the Ice Age” by Abbie Hoffman, published in 1982.
This book is a compilation of essays from the most famous American Hippie of the 1960’s. Hoffman’s name was best known because he engineered attention-getting stunts and advised his followers to engage in acts of protest that would infuriate law enforcement. He also revealed the secrets to obtaining free merchandise and the details behind irreverent behavior.
In one essay, he pointed out instances of code language for cocaine in movies, such as the words “snow” and “blow.” He also wrote that frequent visits to the dentist among people in Hollywood indicated that they were cocaine addicts. They would have the drug rubbed in their gums for a faster high.
In another essay, Hoffman gloated about a prank he and his girlfriend pulled on 54 prestigious restaurants in Europe for six months between 1977 and 1978; some several times. He wrote a well-crafted referral letter, forging the signature of Playboy Magazine’s Articles Editor, while purporting to be a restaurant critic for the magazine. He showed the letter to the head chef in each restaurant, and was treated to thousands of dollars of fancy food, free of charge. In the book, he reprinted the letter, a list of the ten restaurants he thought best, and Playboy’s reaction upon learning of the ruse. Read the book to find these out.
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