Dear Brad,

 

 

I'd nominate Malcom Lowry's 'Under Te Volcanoe' for exceptional merits in the dispatches from the booze front.

 

Likewise, William Burroughs 'Queer' and his correspondance in the 'Yage Letters' with Alan Ginsburg.

Burroughs was always a tippler & his 4.00 pm ritual (in later more stable years) of several 'stiff' Gin and Tonic's remains as little known as was his Methadone Maintenance Script that helped him live and continue to create well into his 80's.

 

Jack Black's "You Cant Win' is regarded as the journal of a hop (opium) fiend but much of Black's narrative is taken up with his accounts of 'bums & yegg's Conventions' where demon drink was consumed to excess and until money or local 'townsfolk' ran (them) out (of town).

 

Nick Cage- gives the best performance of his life in 'Leaving Las Vegas' (I think thats the right title)- his journey into alcoholic oblivion and death makes for harrowing yet humanising all too humanising watching.

 

Most of Keruoac's work was booze as opposed to amphetamine related - take your pick- although I've never taken to his work.

 

Art Peppers 'Straight Life' chronicles his drug & alcohol use in harrowing detial, likewise 'Bird' the biography of Charlie Parker- most of the biographys and autobiography's of Jaz Musicians go into some detial about their poly drug and drink use.

 

I've many more titles to relate but need a break for now.

 

Best wishes: Alan J.