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
Astrophysics for People In a Hurry
Guns, Sails, and Empires
At Play in the Fields of the Lord
Faraday, Maxwell, and the Electromagnetic Field
Writing My Wrongs
Dance to the Tune of Life
Bet The Farm
The Interpretation of Dreams
The True Believer
American Prison
National Economic Planning
Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees
Memos From The Chairman
Darwin's Blind Spot
Once a Warrior
The Intel Trinity
Power Failure
Trust Me, I'm Lying
Expectations Investing
Everything All At Once
Glass
The Sun Also Rises
History of the World
Code
The Jungle Book
The Creative Society
The Most Important Thing
The Ordeal of Civility
Good Calories, Bad Calories
Awareness
A Universe From Nothing
DeMark Indicators
The Red Queen
Walter Benjamin
The Man Without a Face
Moorish Spain
End The Fed
Rational Ritual
Being You
The Blue Sweater
The Remains Of The Day
Influence
I Am Not a Tractor
The Trump Century
The Little Prince
A Magic Web
The Outsiders
On The Principles of Political Economy and Taxation
Dreamland
The Dao of Capital
The Hour Between Dog and Wolf
My Inventions
Your Dad Stole My Rake
Nixonland
Long Walk to Freedom
It's About Damn Time
A Higher Loyalty
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
Dream Yoga
Sam Walton
The Quest
The Knowledge
In the Company of Giants
The Enchiridion
The Creative Act
Democracy In America
Blink
Hillbilly Elegy
War
Small Is the New Big
The Language Instinct
The Snowball
Slow Horses
Anything You Want
Children of Dune
A History of the English-Speaking Peoples
Financial Derivatives
Born Standing Up
When I Say No, I Feel Guilty
Self Reliance
End of Illness
Defend The Border and Save Lives
Innovating Out of Crisis
Reamde
Burn
The Immortality Key
Joy on Demand
The New Science of Strong Materials
The Invention of Air
When The Facts Change
Shantaram
The Order of Time
Built from Scratch
#AskGaryVee
Blitzscaling
Billion Dollar Whale
100 Best-Loved Poems
Man's Search for Meaning
Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track
Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman