I began writing this
review after a very long night of reading. During Summer past, I was
asking myself about this book and what it could say to me as one of
those who participated in the British 60's
& 70's counter-culture. Sure, I had heard of Operation
Julie. Big news at the time, but the details escaped me. I was busy
then with a war in another part of the United Kingdom.
What made me read on
and on was simply the story. Living outside the law is an
exciting biography about Fielding's remarkable early life as a Hippy
on the road and subsequent rise in Intertrans Acid supply company.
But his story is more. It's also an account of the British Acid
Movement's drug fuelled social revolution and how a whole section
of society viewed their world at that time.
“What do you think
about acid” he asked me
straight out. “Mmm, difficult” I
said ... Let's see...LSD is probably the best hope the
human race has got of coming to grips with its problems.” (p 219).
That universal period
of Hippy subculture is well documented in music and folklore.
However, Fielding opens the door to the activities of a core British
youth galvanised by heady events from Haight-Ashbury's Summer of
Love in 1967 to the
thrilling half a million strong Isle of Wight pop festival in 1970.
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| Leaf Fielding's Infidel Waltz 1979. He made the sketch while serving his sentence in Horfield Prison with Alston "Smiles" Hughes and 13 other co-conspirators. "Operation Julie" was the biggest ever L.S.D. bust. |
This is a superb read
for those who desire to understand the mind of a rebellious youth. A
time of Hippy temptation and solidarity. Fielding fills the gaps and
provides us with continuity. He describes the fate of those who led
the British Acid Movement to Turn on, Tune in and Drop out
after we all married and got sucked into the society we opposed.
Indeed I had spent some
time with the legendary Alston “Smiles” Hughes, later to become a
top player in the Acid ring. Meeting in London in 1970
when I was seventeen years old, we joined the party at the
Isle of Wight after which we hitched together to north Wales and on
to Birmingham. All the time discussing the merits of a bohemian
sub-culture based around the use of a psychedelic drug people have
used since religion was invented. And, a drug some informed people
will continue to use as a source of spiritual and creative influence
forever more.
The revealing detail
around Operation Julie and the subsequent jail term is chilling.
Fielding provides a rare insight into a tormented imprisonment for
those who should not have been there. The fifteen strong Julie mob,
as they are referred to in the book, bear more resemblance to a group
of political prisoners. In many ways they were just that. Their
collective motivations toward creating social change is captivated
perfectly through Leaf's own personal stories. What a journey.
The book, for those who
understand the effects of LSD,
takes the the reader on its own gripping trip of discovery and
ultimate realisations.
First there is the
initial rush to reach the first plateau of awareness. Then it swiftly
engages the delights of Fielding's mad crazy and unconventional
behaviour often associated with the drug. The book then finally
passes the doors of perception to reflect on its conclusive study
while the inevitable bad comedown is reported from a prison cell.
Clever Fielding, he knows his drugs.
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