Written in the 1970s while Hoffman was living "underground," The Autobiography of Abbie Hoffman, originally titled Soon to be a Major Motion Picture, is a memoir detailing Hoffman's development and life as an activist for the civil rights, the anti-war movement, and the counterculture. The cover photo shows Hoffman in a shirt which he was arrested for wearing because it "desecrated" the American flag. He wore another copy of the shirt for a TV interview in which his image was afterwards electronically censored. Viewers were outraged as they realized the extent to which networks could and did censor programming.
This is the third work I've read by Hoffman. I first learned of him last fall when I picked up Revolution For the Hell of It. A couple months ago I read Steal This Book. Hoffman was an author, activist and public figure who drew attention through issues largely through the use of street theater. He had a hand in orchestrating such events as tossing dollar bills into the New York Stock Exchange (which caused the brokers to abandon their ticker tape and dive to the floor after the money), an attempt to run a live pig for President, and the 1967 exorcism and levitation of the pentagon.
As I read, I discovered the book offers insight into events briefly mentioned in other books by Hoffman and also into Hoffman's personal character. I feel as though I understand who he was and what he meant to do through his actions in a much different way than I previously have. Hoffman was a more serious man than he appeared to the media or through the persona he wore in the writing of his other books.
The Autobiography of Abbie Hoffman is a fascinating read for anyone interested in 60's counterculture or protest movements of that decade.
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