The Fool's Gambit
A psychedelic journey through 1980s America
Trip Reports by Patrick Brumm
The Book
Channeling the restless spirit of the Beats into the psychedelic counterculture of the late 20th century, this coming-of-age memoir traces the true story of a seeker living on the edges of the ordinary. From hitchhiking the highways of America to drug-fueled vision quests, from the South American Andes to a federal prison sentence, it is a chaotic journey toward meaning and transformation. Inspired by Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha and Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, the author moves from a family life rocked by enmity to reckless freedom and adventure, guided by strange teachers and chance encounters of the road. From Grateful Dead concerts and Rainbow Gatherings to a cold iron bed, this is a process of self-discovery shaped by Life itself. Every mile of the road and every day in a prison cell bring lessons in survival, patience, impermanence, and rebirth. A raw, unflinching chronicle of adventure, rebellion, and the Family found along the way—where even bad trips, breakdowns, and bureaucracy yield wisdom worth carrying home.
Road Stories
Snapshots from a psychedelic journey through 1980s America.
Join the Journey
Get trip tales and news from the author first