Surveying literature, art & culture from an altitude of 5,000 feet while traveling at 53 miles per hour

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Happy 4th from Black Balloon!

By James Rickman

Have an epic day, and be safe out there. We'll be back on Monday with a big announcement (hint: giveaway).

Featured

Eat Prey Drug: Summerland

Escaping a catastrophic blizzard to take peyote in the Arizona desert, Paul Kwiatkowski concludes his investigation into alternate perceptions of consciousness.

The Biggest Little-Known Influence on H. P. Lovecraft

M. R. James was an English author, scholar and inspiration to Lovecraft, though the world may have forgotten it.

The Sun Don't Shine on a Moonshine Still

Get a bleary-eyed view of moonshining from a modern day bootlegger.