Larry Sloman
Encyclopedia
Larry "Ratso" Sloman is a New York
-based author best known for his collaboration with Howard Stern
on the radio personality's two best-selling books, Private Parts
and Miss America
. He also appears in all of Kinky Friedman
's mystery novels as the Dr. Watson to Kinky's Sherlock. Sloman wrote an account of Bob Dylan's
1975 Rolling Thunder Revue
tour, On the Road with Bob Dylan. He has also penned Reefer Madness
, a history of marijuana use in the United States
, Thin Ice
, an account of one season with the New York Rangers
hockey team, Steal This Dream, an oral biography of Abbie Hoffman
.
His latest book, The Secret Life of Houdini, written with magic historian William Kalush, presented groundbreaking research that proved that early 20th century American magician Harry Houdini
was a spy. The authors also raised the possibility that Houdini had been murdered by a cabal of Spiritualists, prompting Houdini's great-nephew to call for an exhumation of the magician's body to test for poisoning.
Sloman's other collaborations include Mysterious Stranger
, with the magician David Blaine
and Scar Tissue
, the autobiography of the Red Hot Chili Peppers
lead singer Anthony Kiedis
.
Starting in 1985, for a few years Sloman served as executive editor of National Lampoon magazine.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
-based author best known for his collaboration with Howard Stern
Howard Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
on the radio personality's two best-selling books, Private Parts
Private Parts (1997 film)
Private Parts is a 1997 American biographical comedy film produced by Ivan Reitman and released by Paramount Pictures. Written by Len Blum and Michael Kalesniko, the film is an adaptation of the 1993 best-selling book of the same name by radio personality Howard Stern, who stars as himself. It...
and Miss America
Miss America (book)
Miss America is the second book by American radio and media personality Howard Stern. Released on November 7, 1995 by ReganBooks, it became the fastest-selling title in the publisher's history...
. He also appears in all of Kinky Friedman
Kinky Friedman
Richard S. "Kinky" Friedman is an American Texas Country singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnist for Texas Monthly who styles himself in the mold of popular American satirists Will Rogers and Mark Twain. He was one of two independent candidates in the 2006 election...
's mystery novels as the Dr. Watson to Kinky's Sherlock. Sloman wrote an account of Bob Dylan's
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
1975 Rolling Thunder Revue
Rolling Thunder Revue
The Rolling Thunder Revue was a famed U.S. concert tour consisting of a traveling caravan of musicians, headed by Bob Dylan, that took place in late 1975 and early 1976; the prevailing theory was that the tour was named after the Native American shaman Rolling Thunder. Others maintained that tour...
tour, On the Road with Bob Dylan. He has also penned Reefer Madness
Reefer Madness (1998 book)
Reefer Madness: A History of Marijuana is a book written by Larry "Ratso" Sloman. The book is a history of social "marijuana" use in the United States....
, a history of marijuana use in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Thin Ice
Thin Ice
Thin Ice may refer to:* "The Thin Ice", a 1979 Pink Floyd song* Thin Ice , starring Corine Griffith* Thin Ice , starring Sonja Henie and Tyrone Power* Thin Ice , starring Charlotte Avery...
, an account of one season with the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
hockey team, Steal This Dream, an oral biography of Abbie Hoffman
Abbie Hoffman
Abbot Howard "Abbie" Hoffman was a political and social activist who co-founded the Youth International Party ....
.
His latest book, The Secret Life of Houdini, written with magic historian William Kalush, presented groundbreaking research that proved that early 20th century American magician Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-born American magician and escapologist, stunt performer, actor and film producer noted for his sensational escape acts...
was a spy. The authors also raised the possibility that Houdini had been murdered by a cabal of Spiritualists, prompting Houdini's great-nephew to call for an exhumation of the magician's body to test for poisoning.
Sloman's other collaborations include Mysterious Stranger
Mysterious Stranger
Mysterious Stranger: A Book of Magic by street magician David Blaine was published on October 29, 2002 by Random House. Part autobiography, part history, and part armchair treasure hunt, the book also includes instructions on how to perform basic card tricks and illusions.In his chapter,...
, with the magician David Blaine
David Blaine
David Blaine is an American illusionist and endurance artist. He is best known for his high-profile feats of endurance, and has made his name as a performer of street and close-up magic. He has set and broken several world records...
and Scar Tissue
Scar Tissue (book)
Scar Tissue is the autobiography of Red Hot Chili Peppers vocalist Anthony Kiedis. It was released in 2004 by Hyperion and authored by Kiedis with Larry Sloman, who compiled information and interviewed various parties associated with the plot line. The story follows Kiedis from his birth in 1962 to...
, the autobiography of the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
lead singer Anthony Kiedis
Anthony Kiedis
Anthony Kiedis is an American vocalist/lyricist, and occasional actor best known as the lead vocalist of the Grammy-winning American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kiedis spent his youth in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his mother before moving, shortly before his 12th birthday, to Hollywood,...
.
Starting in 1985, for a few years Sloman served as executive editor of National Lampoon magazine.