A far-reaching study of drug abuse and addiction and their cultural ramifications, from the early days when heroin and cocaine were available at the corner drugstore (sans script) to the time the Pure Food and Drug and Harrison acts put an end to the fun. Examines the birth of bebop music and the changes wrought in poetry, writing and art through all forms of dope. Insightful writings by and about William Burroughs, Henry Miller, Timothy Leary, Allen Ginsberg and many others. MW

Publisher: Scribner
Hardback: 510 pages
Illustrated

The original gay liberation struggle and story in the words of Harry Hay, founder of the Mattachine Society, the first organization to openly discuss and champion queer issues at a time (late 1940s) when you could be imprisoned, institutionalized or worse for “coming out.” Hay discusses such seemingly disparate topics as Indian Berdache traditions, trade unionism, Marxism, even New Age spirituality, reconciling these and many more subjects into a cohesive whole, all the while living a remarkable life observed through queer-tinted glasses. MW

Publisher: Beacon
Hardback: 352 pages

A comprehensive look at white-power movements from the inside out. Through cartoons, pamphlets and other redneck-white-trash writings, this Village Voice political correspondent covers all the beauty of far-Right white hate. Contains genealogical diagrams of white-power groups from their inception, and coverage of David Duke’s “transformation” from Grand Wizard of the KKK into a mainstream, ostensibly toned-down, smarmy politico. Other chapters include “Worldwide Conspiracy,” “Resurgence,” “The Fifth Era,” “Posse Country” and “New White Politics.” MW

Publisher: Thunder's Mouth
Paperback: 223 pages
Illustrated

A selective overview of ultra “fringe” writings in essay form. Includes the typical “the CIA planted transistors in my brain” scenarios, Jonestown as mind-control experiment, Jim Morrison’s “double” and the Vatican library secrets, as well as Jim Jones’ last testament and Masonic ritual sex, sorcery, and assassination cabals. It’s a nice set of paranoia-inducing parables. MW

Publisher: Feral House
Paperback: 309 pages
Illustrated

The writings and rantings of James Mason, radical extremist Nazi and founder of the NSLF, featuring Mason’s three R’s: Resistance, Revolution and Rule. A compelling collection of essays from Mason’s newsletter of the same name, advocating death to all race traitors and the murder of a significant percentage of the population (blacks, Jews, Mexicans, etc.). Mason has also found a “true revolutionary” and ideological comrade in Charles Manson, a move that has stigmatized him as a wacko among other hard-core Nazi/white power circles. MW

Publisher: Storm
Paperback: 464 pages
Illustrated

Hey, kids! Meet Roger, Gary, Larry, Eddie and Dave! The Monks were a groovy Beat combo from the ‘60s: five discharged American GIs staying on in Germany to rock out in clubs on the Reeperbahn. A seminal punk band, they dressed in black with shaved heads and played feedback-drenched songs with nihilistic lyrics and titles like “I Hate You.” This is their story. MW

Publisher: Carson Street
Paperback: 397 pages
Illustrated

Legendary vitriolic broadside directed at all things punk, now derided by co-author Julie Burchill as “total speed damage.” Tracks the origins of punk rock music, both in the U.S. and U.K., including such seminal bands as the New York Dolls and the Runaways. Includes new pix and forward by guitarist Lenny Kaye. Gossipy, bitchy and quite possibly libelous, Julie and Tony go for the throat of the pop music world with a meth-tipped pen. MW

Publisher: Faber and Faber
Paperback: 95 pages
Illustrated

Everything one needs to know about narcotics smuggling, from assembling a crew and avoiding DEA infiltration to moving large amounts of cash clandestinely and bribing officials. This is a basic guidebook on how to play the game successfully, elude detection and then get the BIG PAYOFF. MW

Publisher: Paladin
Paperback: 152 pages