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Memoirs of an Ex-Hippie: Seven Years in the Counterculture | 
 enlarge | Author: Robert A. Roskind
Publisher: Do It Yourself
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $6.99
You Save: $7.96 (53%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 147531
Media: Paperback
Pages: 244
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 0.8
ISBN: 1565220730
EAN: 9781565220737
ASIN: 1565220730
Publication Date: April 27, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
The counterculture of the 60s and 70s has been viewed as everything from naive to hedonistic. However, most of these views were formed by observing the movement from the outside. "Memoirs of an Ex-Hippie" offers a vastly different perspective, one developed from within. After graduating college in 1968, Robert Roskind hit the road for seven years. Roskind's travels lead him into the heart of the counterculture--to Esalen Institute, Tassajara Hot Springs, Big Sur, Vancouver Island, the communes of Oregon and North Carolina, Altamont Pop Festival, Mt. Shasta, the Haight-Ashbury and the "motherland"--Northern California. His personal odyssey, sometimes profane and funny, sometimes profound and serious, reveals this tumultuous era as a cultural and spiritual renaissance that birthed many of the solutions to problems humanity now faces.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 This book ruined all of my preconceived notions about hippies! July 23, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I wasn't planning on reviewing Robert Roskind's Memoirs of an Ex-Hippie: Seven Years in the Counterculture when I picked it up but after less than half way through I felt compelled to do just that. First, let me say that I'm pretty conservative in my politics and lifestyle. I was born during the fabled summer of love (dating myself here, I realize) but I'm pretty sure that had I been the author's age I would have never donned lovebeads or smoked anything more than the occasional clove cigarette. That said, this book really resonated with me. When I bought it, I expected it to be no more than a bunch of fluff. I am glad to report I was wrong.
Born in 1947, Roskind was born to a typical middle-class Jewish family in suburban Atlanta. (He looks so sweet in his bar mitzvah picture!) The Atlanta Jewish "ghetto" as it was affectionately called by its members was a very tight-knit community and he grew up feeling as though he were an integral part of a lively and loving clan. Perhaps if Roskind had been of college age in a different era, his experimentation with drugs would not have profoundly changed his life, but he was a student in Chapel Hill NC in the late 60's so naturally the drug he decided to experiment with was LSD. Roskind describes in detail his two-day-long acid trip (he'd inadvertently taken way too much), including a literal-out-of body experience that convinces him that the human spirit is not constrained by the body. But, as important, that all of the values that had been instilled into him such as financial ambition and societal institutions, were meaningless. Cue the Jefferson Airplane music: Roskind drops out of school, grows his hair, and sets out to find himself. Perhaps because Roskind had always felt safe within his "clan" as a child, he adopts other hippies as his new family. Traveling between the more traditional (and therefore hostile to hippies) Chapel Hill and the hippie mecca San Francisco bay area, Roskind thrives as he has lifelong friends in both places. His real home during this time is his converted school bus he lovingly names Louise (decked out complete with hiding places for his stash). After seven years commuting between communes, Roskind realizes that the counterculture movement has jumped the proverbial shark and the more traditional life beckons him. A master carpenter, Roskind moves to the West coast to begin teaching home improvement classes, where he eventually meets his wife. Intertwined throughout this memoir are Roskind's epiphanies about life, communal and otherwise.
Roskind is an articulate and insightful author; qualities I never thought I would attribute to a hippie, former or otherwise. He really set my entire preconceived notion of the 60's counterculture on its ear.
If you are at all interested in the counterculture, sexual revolution, communal living, or just a good travel story, you must read Memoirs of an Ex-Hippie: Seven Years in the Counterculture.
 A true look into the 60's - 70's January 27, 2008
I enjoyed reading this memoir because it was a front seat look at the times. The story was well written and gave me a little insight into commune life.
HIPPIES ARE THE BEST! May 22, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I loved this book! This book by far was the BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ! Roberts detail is amazing. I felt for a short while, while reading the book, that I time traveled back into this era. I wish I could have been alive during this time to experience the things Robert experienced. But just by reading this book, I feel as though I did experience them. I consider myself a modern day hippie, and reading this book just made me feel even more like a hippie! I have one other book from Robert, and I cant wait to read it. He is such a down to earth guy. I have emailed him and even got his signature on the books before he mailed them to me. Robert has honestly helped me to make decisions in my life. His book was that powerful. I think this book should be a mandatory book read in all high schools! This book will really change your life. My husband read this book and it has literally changed how we think about the world. I will forever remember Robert Roskind and this book. This book expands your mind and makes you think like you have never thought before. Robert and his book is truly about finding yourself, peace, love, and happiness, for ourselves and for the world. We need to have more hippies in this world!
 Diary of a former hippy June 25, 2006
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is a fun read. Other than a few insights into the differences between the "East Coast" and "West Coast" Hippies it is pretty much just a quick ride through Robert Roskind's life concentrating on his "on-the-road" period. All-in-all, worth reading if you are really into the '60's but there are better books from the period.
From an Ex-Hippie Chick May 12, 2006
5 out of 9 found this review helpful
"Memoirs of an Ex-Hippie" is not only far out, it's out of sight! It's right on! Hey, I was there. For a novel about the hippie era, read Jon Michael Miller's "Life Boiling Over." There is no better book about the 60s. Unlike Roskin's book, it adds a Vietnam vet to the mix. Two disillusioned people meet, use sex as escape, fall in love, and go through mind-blowing changes. That was a time like no other. This novel takes you there with truth and beauty.
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