Tom Wolfe's genre-defining magical mystery tour through the 1960s published in Vintage Classics for the first time to mark its fiftieth anniversary. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY JARVIS COCKERIn the summer of 1964, author Ken Kesey and his Merry Band of Pranksters set out on an awesome social experiment like no other. Blazing across America in their day-glo schoolbus, doped up and deep ‘in the pudding’, the Pranksters’ arrival on the scene – anarchic, exuberant and LSD-infused – would turn on an entire counter-culture, and provide Tom Wolfe with the perfect free-wheeling subject for this, his pioneering masterpiece of New Journalism.

' The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test is not simply the best book on the hippies, it is the essential book. the pushing, ballooning heart of the matter' New York Times.

Why You Should Read?

• Provides a primary source account of the early counterculture movement, offering unparalleled insight into the genesis of the hippie era.
• Offers a window into the evolution of New Journalism, showcasing Wolfe's innovative techniques in immersive reporting and narrative construction.
• Captures the atmosphere of the 1960s through vivid descriptions, allowing readers to experience the era's energy and cultural shifts.
• Explores the social dynamics and philosophical underpinnings of the Merry Pranksters and their psychedelic adventures.

About the Author

Tom Wolfe is an American author and journalist, celebrated for his pioneering contributions to New Journalism. Wolfe's distinctive writing style, characterized by its immersive detail and energetic prose, brought a new level of immediacy to his reporting. His works often capture the essence of American culture, ranging from the counterculture of the 1960s to the lives of astronauts and the excesses of Wall Street. Wolfe's influence on contemporary literature is undeniable, solidifying his legacy as a leading figure in American letters.