Ecstasy: In and About Altered States
 

This is quite a nice book that's definitely worth having a look at. If you're an art connoisseur then you'll probably get the most out of this.

It has first and foremost modern drug-related art. It contains a nice variety of trippy and beautiful pictures as well as info on the artists. There are a number of essays included, some about art and the history of the relationship between drugs and art, citing Dali and Burroughs and many more. And within are also other essays simply about drugs.

The best thing about this book in my opinion (artwork aside) was the very last essay, entitled Confessions of a Middle-aged Ecstasy Eater by Anonymous. It was touching and exciting, deeply honest and beautifully written. The author was a former professional poet/journalist/novelist (wonder who?) and that is evident in his writing.

However, some of the reading was rather dry. Perhaps if I was more into artists and poets of the early 20th century I would have found it more enjoyable. Overall still well worth my time.

7/10

Re: Ecstasy: In and About Altered States by Paul Schimmel (editor)
 

I know it's not allways the best thing to do (read the end of book first), but that essay is available here:

http://www.maps.org/media/confessions.html

Re: Ecstasy: In and About Altered States by Paul Schimmel (editor)
 

It seems that this is an exhibition catalogue from the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles? From the title I would have thought it was about MDMA :). It looks interesting, however. I have always wondered about the relationship between Dada and Surrealism and drugs.

Re: Ecstasy: In and About Altered States by Paul Schimmel (editor)
 

It is an exhibition catalog, but it also has a few essays in it. But you're right MDMA is only a small part of the entire book. The title refers more to drug-induced states of ecstasy regardless of which drug induces it.