© 2025
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Susannah Cahalan’s "The Acid Queen: The Psychedelic Life and Counterculture Rebellion of Rosemary Woodruff Leary"

Susannah Cahalan’s new book about Rosemary Woodruff Leary is "The Acid Queen: The Psychedelic Life and Counterculture Rebellion of Rosemary Woodruff Leary." It is a portrait of Rosemary and her critical role to Timothy Leary’s rise to high priest—and her trailblazing role for women in ‘60s American counterculture.

Rosemary Woodruff Leary has been known only as the wife of Timothy Leary, the Harvard professor-turned-psychedelic high priest, whose jailbreak captivated the counterculture and whose life on the run with Rosemary inflamed the government. But Rosemary was more than a mere accessory. She was a beatnik, a psychonaut, and a true believer who tested the limits of her mind and the expectations for women of her time.

Long overlooked by those who have venerated her husband, Rosemary spent her life on the forefront of the counterculture, working with Leary on his books and speeches and, shaping—for better and for worse—the media’s narrative about LSD.

Stay Connected
Joe talks to people on the radio for a living. In addition to countless impressive human "gets" - he has talked to a lot of Muppets. Joe grew up in Philadelphia, has been on the area airwaves for more than 25 years and currently lives in Washington County, NY with his wife, Kelly, and their dog, Brady. And yes, he reads every single book.
Related Content
  • The exhibition, “Porcelain Love Letters: The Art of Mara Superior” opens at The Shelburne Museum on May 10.Superior’s porcelain art combines intricate painted imagery and sculptural forms through which she explores themes of history, domesticity, and environmentalism.
  • As director of the Communication Neuroscience Lab and the Annenberg Public Policy Center's Climate Communication Division, Professor Emily Falk spends a lot of time thinking about the neuroscience of decision-making, behavior change, and successful communication.Her new book, “What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice and Change,” is grounded in both personal anecdotes and stories from public figures in areas ranging from entertainment to sports.
  • “BOOP! The Musical” has hit the Broadway stage and opened at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 5. It was nominated for 3 Drama League awards this week – including Outstanding Musical.Centering on the famous female animated character Betty Boop, who was created in the 1930s – “BOOP!” is a colorful musical reminiscent of classic Broadway with dazzling dance numbers, stunning visuals, and a large cast of wonderful characters.Jasmine Amy Rogers stars as Betty Boop.