Thai Stick

Surfers, Scammers, and the Untold Story of the Marijuana Trade

Peter Maguire

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Book Synopsis

"Thai Stick" by Peter Maguire takes readers on a fascinating journey into the underground drug trade of the 1970s. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Maguire explores the rise and fall of the infamous Thai Stick, a potent strain of marijuana smuggled out of Southeast Asia.

From the lush fields of Thailand to the gritty streets of California, Maguire delves into the interconnected web of criminals, law enforcement, and counterculture icons who were swept up in the Thai Stick trade. Drawing on interviews, archival documents, and personal experiences, Maguire uncovers the complex dynamics that fueled this lucrative enterprise.

Through vivid descriptions and vivid characters, Maguire reveals the allure and danger of the Thai Stick, with its exceptional potency and high demand. He highlights the innovative smuggling methods employed by those involved, as they ingeniously concealed the illicit cargo within everyday objects.

Maguire also delves into the politics and sociocultural factors that shaped the Thai Stick trade. He highlights the role of the Vietnam War and its influence on drug use, as well as the clashes between counterculture ideals and law enforcement efforts.

"Thai Stick" is a captivating exploration of a pivotal period in drug history. Maguire's meticulous research, engaging narrative, and thought-provoking analysis make this book a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of drugs, crime, and culture.

Explore More Books

See All
The Gifts of Imperfection
The Four
The Elements of Style
The Celestine Prophecy
Foundation's Edge
When Breath Becomes Air
The Gift of Good Land
Chasing the Light
Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees
Sperm Wars
Probability Theory
Becoming Steve Jobs
Red Notice
Antifragile
The Truth about Carbs
The New Penguin Atlas of Ancient History
Bossypants
Should We Eat Meat?
All I Want to Know is Where I'm Going To Die So I'll Never Go There
Crossing the Chasm
Information
Foundations
Certain To Win
Think on These Things
How to Teach Your Baby to Read
The Activist's Media Handbook
The Robber Barons
Kill Decision
When The Wolves Bite
To Dare and to Conquer
Command
The Art of Stillness
Idea Makers
In The Plex
Thank You For Smoking
Strength In Stillness
The Oxford History of Britain
Citizen Coke
How The Scots Invented The Modern World
The Internet of Money Volume 1
Brotopia
The MAGA Doctrine
The Untethered Soul
Poor Charlie's Almanack
Killers of the Flower Moon
Wild And Crazy Guys
The Hydrogen Sonata
Market Wizards
Super Pumped
Filters Against Folly
All Quiet on the Western Front
Founders at Work
The Doors of Perception
1984
Queen of Fashion
Simple & Direct
Ignition!
Being Nixon
The Craft
Bend The Curve
Evicted
24/6
Triumphs of Experience
The Power of Broke
The Hobbit
My Years with General Motors
Intellectuals
Math, Better Explained
Competing Against Luck
How To Decide
Paper Lion
High Output Management
In Cold Blood
Co-Intelligence
Foundation and Earth
Tribal Leadership
Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople
A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis
Tender Is The Night
Happiness
A Few Lessons from Sherlock Holmes
The Story of Philosophy
Devil's Bargain
A Good Man
The Lord of the Rings
Clocks and Culture
Don't Shoot the Dog!
Lagom
The Curse of the Mogul
Cognitive Surplus
Why We Get Fat
Dark Towers
Glass
The Prize
Starlink
Happy Accidents
Digital Gold
The Aeneid
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
The Song Machine