Let's get one thing straight right off the bat, Sisters of the Extreme is a "reissue" of 1982's Shaman Woman, Mainline Lady -- cut, streamlined and reformatted beyond all recognition. Evidently, the authors took the edge off their book for a more "conservative" era -- either that, or they assume their reader's minds have been so numbed by drugs that we NEED heavy edits and People Magazine-inspired "look" to hold our limited attention.

Sure, there are a couple of new excerpts worth reading (the one from Mary Woronov's "The Mole People is revealing), but for the most part, Sisters of the Extreme seems to be pandering to old YUPPIES who need a little stimulation. I swear that if I read ANYTHING by Carrie Fisher ever again, it will be too soon -- enough of the "I went to rehab and got a bad haircut" trip. Get over it.

In the introduction, the authors do say that they edited some excerpts for space and deleted others all together. When I got out the two editions and compared them almost line for line, I discovered a disturbing trend -- whereas Shaman Woman, Mainline Lady allowed one to take the writings at face value, Sisters of the Extreme has definite agenda. Sisters of the Extreme doesn't LIKE drugs. It doesn't want ME to like drugs. It wants me to be TITILATED by the writings. The difference is clear.

Sisters of the Extreme is a product of the times. It's been dumbed down and punched up. Sure, the authors include a couple of writings on sex magick and a few counter culture cartoons, but the overall smell of political correctness is stupifying.

The gist of my review is this: if don't already own a copy of Shaman Woman, Mainline Lady, go ahead and buy Sisters of the Extreme. Then, go on a quest for the Real Thing.

In the meantime, the use bibliography in Sisters of the Extreme to find and read the original sourced writings. You'll be glad you did.

Being on the fringe of consensual reality and yet being able to take some notes of the journeys beyond, is an awesome gift. The stories in SISTERS OF THE EXTREME are such gifts of the God-Us. I have the original SHAMAN WOMAN, MAINLINE LADY and went through my contribution, line for line, and the only difference noted was my photo had shrunk in this new, revised edition. (This is consistent as now, being in my fifties, I notice that I am shrinking some also.) The tone not only is consistent from the first edition but vividly expansive. (I was somewhat embarrassed being in the first edition, with the stereotypic cover -- yet in this new volume, I am honored not only for the outrageous company kept and new sisters included but engaging graphics.)

As the God-Us dances about the universe, skirt swirling the galaxies, being on the fringes gives the wildest ride. This book is a travelogue by explorers of multi-dimensional realities written in white ink, from the heart of our Sisters-in-the-Clan-of-Encouragement: this book is a major herstoric contribution to the sext of human consciousness.

Jeannine Parvati (Baker) Author HYGIEIA: A WOMAN'S HERBAL

Sisters Of The Extreme is an informative and engaging presentation of famous female authors who write about the drug experience includes a variety of works from such notables as Bronte, Alcott, Di Prima, and more. Writings from historical works through modern times are gathered in Sisters Of The Extreme, a fine survey of the lives and experiences of women who have had their lives changed by drugs.

Excerpts from a diary reflect the life and times of Louisa May Alcott. Through her entries in a journal, Louisa is presented as a real girl, with heartful emotions. An editor's note, afterword, and insets offer more information about the time period. Authentic, the author has attempted to preserve the original writings, including misspellings. I found the biography is to read and informative.

Sarah Elbert does an excellent job charting a cursory but thorough biography of Louisa May Alcott and her parents. Tying the development of philosophical beliefs and life events to her literature, Elbert demonstrates the role of Alcott's intense committment to abolition and women's rights in her work. She conducts particular in depth analyses of several of Alcott's "adult" novels as well as the March family series (Little Women, Little Men, Jo's Boys). I was especially interested in the family conflict Alcott felt between her domestic obligations of supporting and caring for her mother and father and her dedication to her career. Things haven't changed all that much have they? I was previously unaware of Louisa's long struggle with illness brought about by the treatment for typhoid she received after being infected while working as a Civil War nurse. An excellent resource and well-written.

I have read and enjoyed each of Alcott's discovered thrillers, including these. But those collected in this book were sub-par compared to her other stories.

Most of the better stories in this book are also in the much more extensive book _Louisa May Alcott Unmasked: Collected Thrillers_. The truly 'new' stories here are slower than her normal work, and they lack her trademark quality of oddness and unpredictability.

Die-hard Alcott fans, this book is good. And it has stories which are *not* in the Unmasked book. For these reasons, I am purchasing it (I'm reading a library edition).

But for those just venturing into this side of Alcott, don't start here. Start with one of the smaller collection books, or the Unmasked book. If you're more into the thriller novel genre, then read Alcott's _Long Fatal Love Chase_.

easy to understand and with full details for us to know the lives of the beloved march sisters & their boys & girls, esp, my dearest mother jo

OF COURSE you will want to read Little Men, which is the sequel to Little Women. Little Men is in no way as good as Little Women, though it is a good sturdy children's classic.

In Jo's Boys, the story is finished out. The boys mature and we learn what happens to them. Some fare well, others don't prosper. This is what makes Jo's Boy's somewhat somber in nature. Alcott notes the passing of Marmee, and others depart as well. A sadder tale, and a bittersweet end to the saga of the March family. A funny tidbit is the appearance of fans to bother Mother Bhaer (Jo). Alcott afflicts her alter-ego with the same annoyances that the fans created for her after Little Women. One uninvited admirer even cadges a postage stamp from her desk. A bit of real-life levity in an otherwise subdued book.

Even if not up to Little Women's literary heights, Jo's Boys is a must-read if you want to know how it all turned out. (And who can resist that!)

This book is a sequel to Little Men and is about the same characters. The childish bond between both the boys and girls has been replaced with a stronger bond of affection. Little Josie has finally grown and wants to be an actor, little Ted has his friend, but will Nat truly be able to marry Daisy? The childish affection has turned into real love, but will it always remain? Will Dan get out of jail? If not, what will happen to him? All these questions will be answered. This book takes the lives of all the characters in Little Men and goes until the end of their youth. BUT BEWARE, THIS BOOK CANNOT BE READ WITHOUT FIRST READING LITTLE MEN. This will be appropriate for children, but I recommend it more around the age of 10 and 11. I myself read it when I was 8 or 9, but I understand it better when I read it now. Enjoy!! Cheers!!!!! : )

This is the best book in the whole world(opinion). This should be rated 50000000...stars. I found this interesting than the other two books. Jo's boys is cont. of Little Women and Little Men. Join, Nat the musician, Dan the Wanderer, Emil the Sailor, Tommy a doctor(kind of), Franz, a merchant, Mischievous Ted, and Little prof.(rob)...etc. It's not only the boys, but the girls, lovely Daisy, Giddy Gaddy Nan, princess Bess, & Actress Josie. Mr.Bhaer, Jo, Laurie, Amy, Meg, & Mr.March, help these Children(now gentleman and ladies), discover their strenghts and weeknesses. They all are different, yet so together, happy, sad, and scared.