Book · 2012 · History
Season of the Witch
Enchantment, Terror and Deliverance in the City of Love
Why people recommend it
Season of the Witch by David Talbot is a sweeping historical narrative that chronicles the turbulent political, cultural, and social transformation of San Francisco from the 1960s through the mid-1980s. Nathan Lambert recommended the book on the Lex Fridman Podcast, praising its detailed account of the hippie revolution and the intense mix of turmoil, pain, and love that defined the era in San Francisco. He noted that despite the recent history and deep emotional resonance of the period, few people are fully aware of these events, making the book a vital read. Similarly, Rick Rubin enthusiastically brought up the book during a conversation on the Huberman Lab podcast, asking Andrew Huberman if he had read the gripping account of San Francisco in the 1960s. Both podcast mentions highlighted the book's ability to capture a deeply transformative time in American history filled with radical social movements, cultural experimentation, and dramatic civic change. The text remains an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the complex origins of modern progressive culture and the enduring legacy of the San Francisco counterculture movement.
Who recommended it
- Nathan Lambert Recommended
- Rick Rubin Recommended
Nathan Lambert — 1 mention
“I need to get him a copy of Season of the Witch, which is a history of SF from 1960 to 1985, which goes through the hippie revolution... And it's just like, that is so recent, and so much turmoil and hurt, but also love in SF. And it's like, no one knows about this. It's a great book, Season”
Rick Rubin — 1 mention
“RICK RUBIN: Did you read Season of the Witch. ANDREW HUBERMAN: No. RICK RUBIN: It's about San Francisco in the '60s.”