This book kicks so much ass. I HIGHLY recommend it to folks newer to alternate philosophy, research, and the occult or esoteric. Or if one is more experienced in those areas, it's still worth your time as well.
It's the first in what is actually a series of three, though vol I is the best and stands on its own. It deals with R.A.W.'s experiences during a time in which he put himself through a process of "self-induced brain change" as well as vignettes of his earlier life. It does a beautiful job of introducing you to names that are very worth following. At the time of it's writing in the late 70's, many of them had never been heard of but are much more known now. Not too mention his great lite hearted and comedic writing style dealing with such things as claims to communicate telepathically with extraterrestrials residing in the Sirius star system.
It's also been adapted as a theatrical stage play.