Winner of the 2008 Montaigne Medal awarded for most thought-provoking independent book.
"... ya gotta fight back against the Sarah Palin 'idiot herd' with something."
Wayne Coyne, Lead Singer, The Flaming Lips
"This book is a MUST READ! I loved it."
Dr. Mark Benn, Psychologist, Colorado State University
"Robert Arthur has given us a fascinating analysis of how we set rules for human behavior. His thoroughly researched history of taboos is by turns enlightening, funny and horrifying."
Mike Gray, Chairman of Common Sense for Drug Policy and Author of Drug Crazy
presents
The Burden of Modern Taboos
Book I
3rd Edition
by Robert R. Arthur
Taboos are a burden on society.
By protecting irrational views they hinder progress towards greater happiness.
The government and the media use taboos to lie and mislead. It is not a conspiracy, but by pushing panic for votes and viewers they thwart Americans’ pursuit of happiness. Taboos are not relics of primitive societies.
FACTS YOU WON’T HEAR ON THE NEWS:
• There are gay animals and the “gay gene” has been discovered in insects.
• It is highly likely an American president was gay.
• Shielding kids from visual exposure to sex is linked to their later sexual aggression. Porn is not.
• Celibacy is linked to health problems.
• Prostitution can raise women’s self-esteem.
• Heterosexuals were never in much risk from AIDS.
• Jesus Christ denounced lying – not pre-marital sex, contraception, abortion, or drug use.
• Adolescents who experiment with drugs are better adjusted than their peers.
• Marijuana users are happier overall than non-users.
• Wild animals enjoy getting high in nature.
• America’s gardens contain easily accessible morphine and hallucinogens.
• Caffeine is as addictive as cocaine. Nicotine is more addictive than heroin. LSD addiction is impossible.
• Legalized heroin would be less harmful than alcohol.
• If you tried crack or heroin it is highly unlikely you would ever become addicted.
• One of the 20th century’s greatest scientific discoveries was drug induced, as was one of the 19th century’s greatest paintings.
• Brazil, Italy, Peru, Portugal, Russia, and Spain have already decriminalized personal possession for all drugs.
• In America, people serve longer prison sentences for drug charges than for rape or manslaughter.
• The federal government bullies states and foreign countries whose citizens wish to decriminalize drugs.
• America’s global drug war made 9/11 possible.
Also learn about prehistoric sex toys, ancient Rome's penis obsession, papal orgies, Inquisition torture, the male G-spot, the legendary writer who died of caffeine abuse, and the numerous historic and modern luminaries who have benefited from drug use.
over 150 illustrations and over 2,000 footnotes
YWD 3rd Edition
Currently $7.50 off the cover price and free shipping.
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Robert Gover, New York Times Best-Selling Author
"Probably the most enlightening, eye-opening book I have ever read."
John Bouhan, Visual Bookshelf on Facebook
Dennis Littrell, Amazon.com Top 50 Reviewer and Author (Putnam Publishing)
News & Updates
• February 11, 2010 - Wayne Coyne, lead singer of The Flaming Lips, writes a blurb for You Will Die.
• May 14, 2009 - You Will Die is reviewed by the blog, "A Terrible Blogger is Born!" in the post "Extreme Mythbusting: A Book Review (Part 1)."
• April 26, 2009 - Robert Arthur has signed with Jon Sternfeld of The Irene Goodman Literary Agency.
(more illustration samples here)
Gillian Cromwell, Visual Bookshelf on Facebook
Robert V. Worrall, Amazon.com
Feedback and constructive criticism are welcome.
Site was last updated March 12, 2010.
* To make this site acceptable to forums where it will be advertised, sexually suggestive illustrations from the book cannot be shown and nudity must be covered.