Square Dancing in the Ice Age (Abbie Hoffman)

Square Dancing in the Ice Age shows the more serious side of Abbie Hoffman. While books like Revolution for the Hell of It and Steal this Book are humorous, satirical and--for lack of a better word--whimsical with their treatment of politics, this book portrays an older, more seasoned and more serious Hoffman.

It includes more than 25 essays and articles written by Hoffman while he was underground (as a fugitive) and after he turned himself in. He makes it very clear in his introduction and throughout the book that he regrets nothing about his political activities during the 60s and 70s. He does not consider himself one of those radicals who learned his lesson, reconciled with society and settled down. In fact, the final essay shows Hoffman, once again, in an activist role. This time, as an environmental activist concerned with a project on the St. Lawrence. 

When Hoffman went underground  in 1974, after being accused(falsely?) of conspiring to distribute cocaine, he did not find a quiet corner to hide in. Instead, after setting himself up with a false identity (he had many in his years underground), he took risks and helped sustain himself by writing. 

One of my favourite articles in this collection is "Inside the FBI." Hoffman literally walked into the J. Edgar Hoover building in Washington DC, where the FBI has its headquarters, and took a tour. He actually published the article afterwards. What caught my interest was not only the sheer insanity of Abbie's act, but the tone of the article. It's a thoughtful and extremely well framed critique of the FBI as an institution. 

Another favourite was "Cold War Language: An Editorial Reply." If I hadn't of realized it before, this article would have shown me just how well-educated and well-read Hoffman was. The article is, in its essence, a study of rhetoric. The first lines are as follows: "Language shapes our environment. It is impossible to have thoughts without words. This well established fact seems to be completely ignored by reporters and broadcasters who claim to be 'objective' while using heavily loaded language"(p.195). Hoffman had to have read Saussure. 

A few of the article are light hearted as well. There is one "Mexico: Less Money, More Fun" which presents itself as a travel article, and one titled "The Great Gourmet Rip-Off" detailing Hoffman's travels in France where he pretended to be a writer for Playboy, thereby securing himself free meals by some of the country's best chefs. "Television's God Show" and "In Search of Lock Ness Nellie: A Fable" are also great, light, but deep articles.

(As a side note. I found a used library discard copy of this book online and paid about $10 for it including the shipping).