I found a book on how to make crystal meth in your kitchen. It’s selling on Amazon for $75. And I don’t know what to do.
I found a book on how to make crystal meth
I’ve found some weird book to sell on Amazon. This one gets the crown.
Here it is:
Yes, a book on how to make crystal meth in your kitchen. “Secrets of Methamphetamine Manufacture” by Uncle Fester. Published by Loompanics in 1994.
(Update: Since first publishing this article, Amazon – and most other sites – have banned this book from their catalogs).
The details of this book on crystal meth
You’ll probably get put on a list somewhere just for looking this up, so I’ll save you by posting a screenshot of the details here:
And because the money on Amazon is in the weird, of course this book is selling on Amazon for…
How I found this insane book
I picked this up last week at a thrift store for $1.
As comedic sidebar, you can’t make up an Amazon review like this:
“Ah, the book that started it all. Gotta love Uncle Fester…. If I’m not mistaken, the ephedrine recipe didn’t come out until the 3rd edition, and even then the ratio of iodine, red phosphorus, water, and ephedrine was off.” (Three stars)
Does this book actually teach you how to make crystal meth?
You’re possibly tempted to think this is an academic look at the chemistry of methamphetamine production. A lot of books cover criminal activity or similarly fringe topics from a detached scientific or sociological perspective.
That’s not what this is. This is a very detailed explanation of how people make drugs in their house, written for the layperson.
So here’s my dilemma…
Recap: Selling for $74 on Amazon . Has a moderately good Amazon sales rank. But, it’s on doing a really illegal thing in your kitchen.
All of this raises a huge ethical dilemma, which I’ll put out to you:
Would you sell this book on Amazon?
Leave your answer in the comments below.
-Peter Valley
(Update: this remains the most commented-on article in the history of this website. Feel free to jump in…)
Yes. It is not illegal to own, read, or sell books which describe illegal subject matter. Good find. I would be interested to know the final selling price. Go for triple digits!
Kids book section?
Once found a book on couple massage in kids book section, full of nude pics, lol. Those wacky christian thrifts!
without hesitation i would sell it. if you want i’ll pay you double the thrift store price, you’ll make 100%, and ill deal with the moral dilemma of how to proceed.
Yeah, I would sell it. Knowledge should never be illegal or unshared because of fear.
It’s a free country. Obviously this book itself was written and published and even sold. I support someone’s right to do this. Morally however, I wouldn’t want to be the seller of it. As an aside, I also think marijuana should be legalized everywhere. But, I don’t smoke even though I have plenty of friends who do.
At first my reaction was to simply put a disclaimer in the description – but then I had another thought. What if I sold that book, and it ended up at a meth house and it was found by the police at the bust?
To be honest – it’s highly likely nothing would happen but you have to keep in mind there is a risk of some sort of legal trouble.
Just my opinion.. a good lawyer could answer this much better than I could.
No, we would not sell this book. We ran into a similar situation with a porn DVD. We destroyed it. We have enough low lifes in this world without helping in the creation of more of them.
Thank you. The first comment on this thread I agree with.
NO, I personally would not sell this book (or any other which gave instructions on how to do something illegal).
I’ve sold some books on topics I didn’t believe in but none that could actually hurt someone.
Look at it this way, “what if” you sell the book and it ends up in the hands of the wrong person that causes major negative changes in their life or other people’s lives?
The karma you’ll receive by tossing the book in the pile with all the other unsellable books that we all have will come back to you tenfold.
My opinion, it’s not worth it. Besides, what did it cost? A buck? You’ll make it up somewhere else.
This. It would hurt to find such a perfect book (as far as the sort of thing I love to sell on Amazon), and I could sure use a lot more at that price point. But while there are precious few books I’ll toss for ethical reasons, this would have to be one. Me not selling it wouldn’t stop anyone already making it, but the person who bought my copy could certainly be someone new to the trade, and they could well blow themselves up attempting the “recipes,” or getting more people addicted to one of the most horrible drugs on the planet. No thanks. I’ll stick to the marijuana cultivation guides 😛
I would not sell it and surprised Amazon is. I would notify Amazon and list a complaint regarding this book and content. They will ban people from selling certain items I see no reason why the Amazon wouldnt pull the book. I would be very disappointed
if they didnt.
Agree
No, No and No. I think a book like this, although legal and fine under the constitution, actually is why so many people in our society have wandered over to the other side and I don’t think the parents of many young people that die annually, care much about the legality of it. If I bought this book personally. no matter how much I needed the money, I would destroy it and hope to be rewarded in other ways by the powers that be.
Personally, I would NOT sell this book. I avoid books that includes topics as to How to worship the devil, how to harm kill, rape, or otherwise injury another person, and how to make items that are known to be dangerous (this falls in that category)
I believe that there are enough books out in the world, that I don’t to sell the handful of items that fall into the categories above.
I would rather discard the book, than run the (minimal) risk of banned, or even remembered as the seller that sold “THAT” book and losing a future buyer.
Just my 2 cents….
Basically, there are enough books out there, I don’t have to sell every one of them.
Plus, its n $75….if it were more money, it MAY be worth evaluation.
No, I would not sell it on Amazon or any other venue. It might be tempting to sell it as kind of a novelty or collector’s item, but it is still an illicit activity and a book you would not want to land in the wrong hands. As a Christian, I could not sell this with a clear conscience, no matter what the profit margin! In fact, I would probably destroy it.
Thank you for standing up for what is right. Just because we can doesn’t mean we should.
Sell it. It is not illegal to purchase, own, read or sell books containing descriptions of illegal actions. In my opinion it is not immoral either. Go for triple digits. I will be interested to know how much you can get for it.
No, just don’t feel right. I am a chemist and in the wrong hands someone could get killed playing around these things.
Hi Peter:
As a libertarian I don’t think there is a moral issue selling the book . The reader commits no crime aquiring the knowledge but does if he actually manufactures the drugs.
However other simpleminded people may try to take the high moral ground and try to make out that by selling the book you are advocating drug use . Morons.
I personally think that the war on drugs is a big waste of time and money and would legalise them . It does not mean that I like drugs as some idiots would say .
Selling this book is not a moral issue but instead a moron issue ,and the biggest morons are in positions in power in the Government.
After careful consideration- I say NO do not sell it. To me, there is something ethically wrong with teaching someone how to make an illegal substance. Nothing would be gained, except a quick profit, and much harm could result. I feel the same way about building an explosive.
I would not sell. The book should be destroyed. It isn’t about money. Would you sell a book on how to get a child addicted to a terrible drug?
No I personally would not have even bought the book if I got it in a lot of books I wouldn’t even sell books in there’s just some things it’s not worth the money
but thanks for the post it’s a very interesting thought and there are several books that I just could not sell.
all the best misty
IMHO, I’m not a prude, I have voted for legalization of pot but I would destroy this book. Meth does actual damage and is addictive. I want no part of promoting the production of Meth.
A person who wants a book that helps him commit illegal acts will probably always find it. However, we all have a responsibility to do what we can to make the world a better place. Personally, I have decided against buying books with less controversy as this because, to me, a few extra dollars isn’t going to make that much of a difference to my life as opposed to the message in the book. Maybe the question that we should ask ourselves is “Would we want our neighbor to have this knowledge? Just my thoughts:)
Absolutely not. I Wouldn’t have bought it in the first place, but that’s my own opinion. I lost my best friend and a nephew to drug overdoses so I am definitely bias.
HELL NO!!! We have enough corny, lazy idiots in this country… With all the books we sell on uplifting, positive areas to make a living or build themselves, I’ll sell 10 books to make up the difference…thanks for all the hard work on the Blog 🙂
Hi Peter!
I was confronted with this same moral dilemma yesterday. I had purchased a software program for marketing on Instagram. These guys made an absolute killing last year doing affiliate sales using this platform. So after watching the webinar twice and taking copious notes I made the purchase (not cheap) and proceeded to the image gallery included in the member’s area. Low and behold, there I found over 500 images of female (fitness)models that I was to post daily to my Instagram account. Kidding, right? So I immediately sent a support letter stating my objections and was met back with an attitude that didn’t suprise me whatsoever. I had unmasked their cover and they did not like…called me names and refunded my money. Let me say that I let my moral conscious be my guide in this matter. No matter how much money is to be made….. it is never, never a good idea to sell your soul by violating your ethics. Perhaps this is a “narrowminded” ( as I was recently told) view of life but it is who I am and to they own self be true. Hope this helps! Have an awesome day!
PV-I would pass on that; meth is death and there are a million other books out there to sell. Thanks for all the great info on your site. Jerry
I would keep it and add it to my collection of signed by people I know and other unique books.
Hi Peter,
I guess it comes down to your personal views on drugs.
Personally, I don’t care what people want to put in their bodies. However, since I don’t like what drugs do to people and society in general I would not sell this book.
$75.00 won’t make you rich anyway. 🙂
All the best,
Dave
NO! Keep it out of circulation.
Yes – without a doubt.
WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, PETER! Don’t sell the book, USE it. Private Labeling – what everyone talks about but few actually do. Here’s your chance, Peter, to OWN Health and Personal Care with “Meth of the Valley”. You could even send it in to Amazon in bulk, and pay a prep fee for them to bag it individually.
Finally a sense of humor.
I would burn it. I am horrified that AOL is selling it–they should have better judgement. //CMM
Knowing me I would not as it contributes to illegal activity and would probably end up in the hands of some young person. There is always the answer that someone will get a hold of books like this anyway so why not? I continue to say let it not be me, let me find better reading material than this to sell and I will feel better in how I have made my money.
I think I would probably merchant fulfill this one if I were you, if you were going to sell it on Amazon. I wouldn’t sell it via FBA. It might be too easy for Amazon to turn you in and suspend your account. Just my two cents.
Me, I would shred it. I don’t want something like that on my conscious, taking up space in my head, creating bad karma. Too many things could go wrong with an enterprising idiot buying the book and actually using the recipes. Also, what’s to stop a kid from buying it.
If I had no moral problems with it though? I’d buy copies via the author’s website at $25 and flip them.
We are in the business of selling books to make a living. We are not defined by what we sell. There are so many controversial, unethical topics that are included in my inventory – gun rights, immigration, abortion, raising up a child, etc. And, if you aren’t selling the book, someone else is – whether it be on Amazon, eBay or some other website. You didn’t write the book and by selling it you aren’t agreeing or disagreeing with the content. People have to follow their own conscience.
I would sell it! I don’t see how it could be illegal. Am I wrong? From a guilt standpoint, I don’t think you would be enabling anyone that wouldn’t otherwise enable themselves in another way.
No way !! Not worth it
Usually, I don’t believe in censorship but there is nothing funny about meth. I wouldn’t buy or sell this book even if the Amazon price was 200.00. Too many people die from this stuff. Booksellers have to have some integrity. My opinion.
I Would ask myself one question.
would the buyer of this book use it in any useful good way.
education,entertainment or research(as a scientist would ).
i would not sell it as i would not sell a book on committing suicide or on any form of killing.
there is more to life than Greed
George
No, I wouldn’t do it. I’d pitch it. But that’s me. I found a book last summer at a yard sale that was basically a racist tract. It was selling for a large amount on Amazon. I really didn’t feel right about it. I asked my husband what he thought, and he said, don’t buy it, so I didn’t. If someone else feels comfortable selling stuff like that, that’s your business. But you have to go with how you feel about it personally.
Weigh the possible potential against the money value of your profit. The profit is real but insignificant; the possible consequences horrendous. Easy decision!
I would have to vote no on selling this one. I don’t think I could come to grips with being at least partially responsible for possibly sending someone down the wrong road. Sometimes you never know how your actions will affect the lives of others. Just my opinion….. – you sound like a pretty good guy and you’ll make the right decision for you.
Yes. Yes I would. If Bezos doesn’t have a problem with it, neither do I.
No. It’s not worth 74$ to feel bad about selling
Something like that.
Have to admit that I would yeah it. Profits are great, but at what expense? I detest drugs and could not personally pout a product I’m the market that would potentially put more drugs on the streets. I know I didn’t write it, and that someone will find a way if they want to, but that doesn’t mean I have to have any part in it. On the flip side, that’s my personal stance, and I wouldn’t hold it against someone who did sell the book. In the end it’s all about personal beliefs and morals and we’re all different.
Hi, Peter – I’ve come across several titles that I questioned selling, and the question I ask myself is “Would I give this book to a child/teenager?” If your answer is “Yes,” then list it on Amazon. If “No,” discard it. Easy solution, because there’s a good chance that a book like the one mentioned could fall into the hands of a younger person (note: I was raised in the counter-culture environment of the 60’s, Laguna Beach (CA), so I don’t have a problem with most drugs, but meth? That’s another story)…
No, dilemma over.
NO, I would not sell this book.
This book teaches people how to make illegal, life deystroying drugs. There is no moral dilemma here.
Here’s a way out of your dilemma:
1) get yourself one of those Breaking Bad bobble head dolls of Brian whatzizname and break out your black marker pen.
2) go through the dangerous document, redacting ruthlessly. Black out enough detail so that no one, not even a chemistry Phd. Would be able to figure out any recipes.
Then just offer up the doll and the document as a hardeeharhar bundle.
P.s. – I once ordered the Loompanics catalog, not because I was intent on doing nefarious deeds, but because I found the whole underground secrets scene irresistibly entertaining. I am certain the above prescription for your conundrum will yield as good a profit as any in that same spirit.
I really enjoy selling weird items on Amazon, but on this book I would pass. I need to be able to sleep at night and in whose it was landing would concern me.
You know it is wrong to resell this book. Destroying it is a positive act. Please do not resell.
Who would end up buying this book? Someone who wants to add it to their personal library or someone who’ll be using it to open shop? I wouldn’t know. And what’s my intention…oh, to make a profit. I need money. I’m on disability. But I need more than $75 and a clear conscience goes a long way. So, NO.
I just started my amazon business 2 months ago and no matter what I hold myself to the highest standards. I personally would choose not to sell it. I would not want the book to get into the hands of some 16 yr old that wants to live the breaking bad lifestyle. Also if I have to question is it right for me to do this I usually decide not to just because the $75 profit is not worth my pride and integrity. I would not want to always have in the back of my mind who bought it and what did they do with it. Good luck with your decision Jordan.
Dan O
Ni I would not sell the book, not because selling it, or making crystal meth might be illegal, but because crystal meth ruins lives. Apparently it gives a rush of pleasure over 12 times greater than you can get from any other activity, so people are driven to keep using it, but over time it destroys the pleasure circuits in the brain, plus damages cognitive abilities and causes symptoms like those seen in Parkinson’s disease. So to my mind, selling it is immoral.
Meth is a destructive drug. Therefore I have to say no I would not sell it. Your contributing to the problem for $75. Not worth it. Take the high road!
No, I wouldn’t have bought it nor would I sell it. I wouldn’t feel right about helping someone to harm themselves. I want to be able to sleep at night.
A form of crime occurs in the comments thus far, to be avoided; that you are responsible for the morals of the author of the book, or the morals of the reader—you are merely responsible for your own morals, which are not dictated by your fans. I’d sell the book because I am not beholden to the content made by the world or the world’s constituents. You are among the keepers of the contents of the world’s knowledge, however, and no-one asked you to be it’s judge. Make the money,
No, I would not sell it. “Free speech,” and all that issues aside, you still have yourself to deal with. And if your concience bothers you, knowing that someone who’s buying the book may take it home, create meth, and sell it to your kids, I wouldn’t do it. If you have absolutely no moral leaning at all, other than to preserve “free speech,” go ahead.
Besides, in some states, depending on the law, it may get you arrested.
No, I absolutely would not sell that book, no matter the profit. There is every possibility that selling that book could result in the new owner using it for its intended purpose, the manufacture of an illegal substance,which would most probably end up adversely affecting many people. How many lives could be destroyed as a result of the use of that book?
Maybe you could donate it to your local sheriff or police department and take a take deduction for the value of the book instead. You get a financial reward and they get something that would interest their department. And, no-one has to die because of Uncle Fester’s proportions were off or because of a rookie’s chance to blow themselves up… don’t just sell it to the crowd in general…
*Tax deduction (not Take)
A very interesting question. My first knee-jerk reaction is to say No, don’t sell it. I read everyone else’s comments and thought: What if all these folks were reacting to a book about how the Earth revolves around the Sun? Is everyone just a book burner then, and in favor of banning books that don’t mesh with their beliefs? And where is the line drawn between a book that is okay to sell and one that’s not? So the logical part of me says, Yes, sell it, otherwise you are in favor of banning books. But I don’t think I could bring myself to actually do it. Most banned books are banned because they don’t mesh with the views of those in power, and not because they lead to the direct causation of harm. This one does. Or could, I guess. I still hate the idea of destroying a book because it doesn’t agree with my morals, but I wouldn’t sell it.
Yes I would sell it on Amazon–A)Amazon–such as it is–ever thought this book would get a seller–or them in trouble–they wouldn’t allow it, also there is the little thing called the 1st amendment–which gives u the right–even how to make bombs(yes u may be on some watch list–but I’am not doing anything bad). That’s all
– freedom of speech.
As bookseller we shouldn’t even be discussing this!
Has anyone heard of Anarchist Cookbook etc? etc? etc?
No censorship. All is available on the net anyways. So let people decide what to read.
Otherwise we’re no better than morons who kill others insisting on censorship
I don’t need 75.00 that much!
I’m a little late to the party, but here’s my two cents.
The house across the street from where I live used to house an entire family of drug addicts, who made meth in there on a regular basis. The smell would make us ill. Finally the law and the city stepped in. The sewer rats were evicted, and the house was foreclosed on. The house was a terrible mess and simply needed to be bulldozed.
But no. The house was sold at auction, and the new, witting or unwitting owners are having it fixed up, either to live in or to flip.
I’m certain of two things: 1) The meth which steeped into the walls is still there, and will wreak havoc upon the new owners. And 2) they were not told, or they are stupid buffoons if they were.
This book is similar to that house in that both are steeped in an evil which must not be disseminated to anyone, or there will be hell to pay down the road.
There is evil attached to such things, and just possessing them puts you and your loved ones at risk.
It’s simply not worth the risk…
Firstly let me make it clear that I have absolutely no judgement of or towards anyone for addressing this in any way they see fit, free country, free expression and choice, I get it. No, I would not sell it. I just do not think it contributes to the positive aspects of the human condition. 99% of everything I see is “just a book,” but this one, to me, clearly, is not. Just my 2 cents.
No. In business, I believe there has to be someplace we draw a line we will not cross for the sake of money. For me this is something that is on the other side of that line. I understand freedom of speech, etc. Each person has to decide where there line is for them. For some people, there is no line they won’t cross to make a buck. They are free to sell the book if they so choose, but I would not.
Uncle Fester has another bizarre title available…. Bloody Brazilian Knife Fightin’ Techniques
Books are nothing more than a source for knowledge. What others might do with knowledge has been a question for the ages. The same questions have been pondered about nuclear bomb construction and yet in the end published. Yes the materials are different and a magnitude harder to get, yet the potential to do harm in the wrong hands is still there. Restricting the source of knowledge would take us back to times when groups burned books and the only reason was the restrict knowledge and control a populace. While the title is not at all tasteful or something I would ever purchase for myself it wouldn’t stop me from selling it. I am in business to make money not to question the motives of others. If you are bothered by the outward view of it then donate your profits to a drug rehab or recovery center. Take the charity write off and move on. If you conscience is so bothered by it then I suggest in the future leaving it where you found it.
I would sell it in a heartbeat. It could be the police are buying it to know what criminals are looking at and doing. Even the Vatican keeps copies of books it considers dangerous.
In fact, I might even photocopy this book and sell my own copies. What will the “publisher” do about it?
The question is… do I want to be *potentially* complicit in the manufacture, sale and use of a life-destroying drug… or do I want to be *potentially* complicit in helping someone avoid the temptation to destroy their own life and the lives of others?
As a free agent, I make the free moral choice that tends towards the greater good. I wouldn’t sell it.
You have a legal right to be an alcoholic and to refuse treatment…but when alcohol abuse leads to emotional or physical abuse of children… then to refuse treatment is immoral.
You can freely give up your right because it protects more important rights of others. Just like soldiers do every day of their lives. They willingly give up their right to life in order to protect against enemies.
Should it be illegal to sell this book? No. Does selling this book mean that I support drugs? No. Can I do any social good by refusing to sell it? YES. How so? Well, if I and 95% of others who find this book also refuse to sell this book… then we, together, make the info 94% more difficult to find and, as a result, have some small impact on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all. Easy choice. No downsides.
If profit is more important… then… well… we’ve reached the moral limits of capitalism.
No, I would not sell it. What’s $75.00 anyway? A good meal and a tip at a decent restaurant. Big deal. Keep it for yourself. Read it, be amused, then put it in a collector’s frame and nail it to the side of your bookshelf.
This one kind of makes that dilemma you had about whether or not to sell a book about Islamophobia seem easy. 🙂
Oh man, you’re going to call me out like that?!
I did a search for this book and found that you could download v8 for free or buy it from Uncle fester for $20? There were also a lot of other underground books on his website.
Interesting question, and one I have thought about a lot This is an older thread, but I’ll throw in my 2 cents.
There are 4 reasons I wouldn’t list a book on Amazon.
1) It offends my morals/ethics, such as they are. There are a lot of books that tell people how to do harm to themselves or to innocent people. I would not list books that tell young girls how to cut themselves, or which encourages them towards anorexia or bulimia. I would not sell books that tell people they can cure their cancer by eating banana peels. I would not sell books that teach child molesters how to lure children, or child pornographers how to hide their images from the FBI. I don’t sell books that encourage people to beat up Jews, or gays, or any other group of people. I wouldn’t sell Mein Kampf even for its historical value.
I have sold books that could teach someone how to commit a violent act – books on shooting or martial arts or self-defense. But there are legitimate uses for all those activities, and none of them are inherently criminal. There is none for, say, a book on how to rape someone, or how to produce and deliver a dangerous, highly addictive illegal drug.
I also don’t sell books about public figures, politicians, or movements I despise. I don’t have to do that because I run my own business and one of the bennies of doing that is I don’t have to do things I don’t want to do. I don’t sell books about Holocaust denial, for instance.
I like to think that my moral compass is something other than a PDA and attached scanner.
2) It could harm me materially. If your car or home gets broken into, there’s probably about a 70% chance that it was done by a meth-head. The crime rate from meth has destroyed entire communities. If I sell a book that encourages that, I have no cause to complain if someone breaks into my car and steals my laptop.
3) It exposes me to criminal liability. In some states and municipalities, supplying “drug paraphernalia” to a minor is a felony. We have no way of knowing if a buyer is a minor or not. I know of no test case now whether a book on whether a book on how to manufacture drugs is considered “paraphernalia,” but if a bored 16 year old orders a book on making meth using the Amazon gift card he got for his birthday and kills himself in an explosion or from fume inhalation (meth-making is wicked dangerous), a local police chief could decide to make a test case out of the Amazon seller who sent him the book. It’s not worth $75 to me to see if that happens.
4) It definitely exposes me to civil liability. In the same scenario above, the parents will name Amazon and me individually in the law suit that will result. Jeff Bezos not only has an army of flying robots, he probably has at least one attorney on retainer. Do I? No. People can sue you for literally any reason imaginable, and all the arguments in the world about how this wouldn’t fly in a courtroom will not pay your mounting legal bills or remove the lien that was just placed on your home. If you have ever had to defend yourself in a civil suit, you have learned that you should do literally ANYTHING to avoid going through that process again.
And there is legal precedent for civil liability for distributing information that could cause harm to another. Paladin Press, a Boulder, CO based company that published books on military matters, how to get revenge on people, extremist politics, was sued after 3 people were murdered in 1993 using instructions in a Paladin Press book called “The Hit-Man’s Handbook”. In 1999, Peter Lund, the owner of Paladin, settled out of court for a multi-million dollar payment. This was AFTER the Supreme Court held that there was no First Amendment protection for the book. You can read about the case here: http://articles.latimes.com/1999/may/22/news/mn-39761
There is no reason a distributor or seller for such a book, if it led to harm that could be directly attributable to the instructions in the book, could not also be named in a lawsuit.
Which is why you run a business with insurance and don’t mingle your personal assets with that of the business.
Yes, this is a litigious society, but I just run my business within the law and live my life.
I operate vending machines and sell junk food that makes people fat and can lead to diabetes, but I’m not going to only sell health food. There is s demand and I fill that demand, it’s not up to me to police society and impose my beliefs on another.
Furthermore, suppose an author wants the meth book for research purposes. Maybe another is interested in how accurate “Breaking Bad” is.
You won’t change the world by not selling a particular book. If someone wants to read, watch, or do something, they will do it with or without your consent or assistance.
Well I always have moral dilemma listing bibles and christian kids books that lie to children yet I sell them anyway…sigh
No, I would not sell this book. Since so many people are hopelessly addicted to Meth. sell this book would be part of the problem. Just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you SHOULD! I also pass on books on or about Porn or false religions. I strive with my business to keep a Christian outlook.
A documentary i viewed, with experts in the addiction field, said the first time you try heroin you are an incurable heroin addict for the rest of your life. That one time changes and addicts a part of your brain until the day you die. That day is way below human life span average.
These hard drugs were developed to take over the ancient pleasure response of the human brain.
You can not directly compare marijuana and porn to meth. People have smoked pot and given it up in later years. People can go a day or two without pot.
I assume Peter is opening up a discussion and others are speaking in the hypothetical. This book would kill families.
People kill families/people
Not books
Not guns
Personal responsibility
We have shows like “how to get away with murder”
Has there been a spike in murders…if so this show is killing families…it must be airing all the time in Chicago…this is your logic
A book is a book
I sell books on gender diversity…I disagree with the subject but not the profit
Interesting to me that Amazon not only sells other Uncle Fester titles (e.g., Practical LSD Manufacture and Home Workshop Explosives), but is actually currently taking these two titles in exchange for gift cards ($4.41 and $2.32 respectively as of this posting)!
No, I would not sell this title because I would hate to think of someone hurting themselves or others by applying the book.
After fostering several kids and then adopting two, all of whose lives have been forever changed by this horrible drug and their parents bad choices, it is an easy answer for me. It goes in the trash, after being torn into small pieces.
I sell books with beliefs that are different than mine, but not something that would hurt people. I would sell a book on how to grow pot, but not on how to make meth. What shocks me (and scares me) is how highly ranked it is.
I would definitely sell. Loompanics was one of a kind with the books they published/sold. I remember the catalog with titles such as: “How to get rid of a dead body”, and ” How to be an ass-whipping boxer”.
I don’t shy away from the subject matter. If it has value and demand, it’s going in my inventory.
I WOULD SHRED IT AND RECYCLE
NO.
Personally, I would not sell it. I do believe in freedom of speech, but I believe more strongly in do no harm. I have to be able to look in the mirror on a daily basis and be good with my decisions. The bad options way out way the good ways this could play out. Not worth it.
Everyone has their own moral compass. I encourage you to listen to yours (whichever way it is leaning). I definitely would not sell this book. I’ve also passed on books on white supremacy (how to join a group, or start a group) and kiddie porn. I think we should all be aware of what we put out into the universe of humankind. While you didn’t write this book, and someone else will probably sell it if you don’t, I believe we reap what we sow in both the little and the larger things.
I totally agree!
The answers in all these replies are very revealing to each persons own set of morals. Many I believe, slid right over the rightness or wrongness of it, and got right to what is most important to them in life…Money! Ask them all, those that have kids…how would they like it if one of their kids found their book for sale on Amazon…bought it…and started making Crank…started using it…got arrested….addicted! Hows the money look now? You people never had parents that taught you right from wrong? You are not aware that their is a huge drug abuse problem in America? You people are the future of this country? Sheeessh!
Simply put, the printing of the book is a protected First Amendment right as is the right to read it. It is not comparable to shouting “fire” in a crowded movie theater which is not protect speech. Whether to disseminate it is a personal moral and ethical decision based on one’s own belief system. Personally, I would not buy it or sell, but that’s just me and I would draw no conclusions about anyone else who would.
I have a moral and ethical compass I try to follow in my life. I would not sell this book. I am a drug addict in recovery for 28 years and a retired Substance Abuse Therapist. I have seen up close and personal what drugs can do. I sure won’t make it easy for folks to possibly destroy themselves in any way. Not saying others can’t sell the book, just saying it sure wouldn’t fell ‘right’ to me. I want to sleep well at night.
These were my thoughts exactly when I first read the question – is this something I would want my kids to stumble across? Certainly not. I’ve personally seen too many families destroyed and lost friends to drug addiction to sell something like this. However, as someone else already mentioned, it would be useful for scientific research, law enforcement, or authors like myself in order to write an accurate narrative and develop convincing characters. So would I sell it? NO. Would I buy it? YES. But you’d be damn sure I’d keep it somewhere my kids would never find it.
Amazon makes the final decision on what can be sold on their site and apparently they are ok with selling books on meth prep. With that we all have a personal code of what we will or will not sell. For example, I’m sure that certain ‘how to’ pornographic topics are illegal – however anything goes if it’s fiction – so if I sold fiction would I be ok with that subject matter regardless of the format type? I asked myself these questions a few years ago when I got serious about selling. I created a list of subjects I would not sell and I still use it today. It keeps me in alignment with my personal beliefs and I won’t get tempted by the money. Otherwise it becomes a slippery slope…
No fair!!!!! You took my answer!!!!! As a wife of a former officer, the sheriffs department would actually like a book like this as training material and it could be tax deductible.
I would not sell this book. I do not need the $75.00 so bad that I would put this book back in circulation. Instead, I think I would take it to the Sheriff’s Office and offer it as a training manual for incoming officers. It might help them learn more about what to look for and the dangers involved with meth production.
No.
No. I wouldn’t risk producing the pain and heartache, caused by even one individual getting hooked on drugs. I’ve seen too many lives and families destroyed by substance abuse. I don’t care if it is legal to do so, Ill have no part of it.
Nope. Though it may not be “illegal” to sell it, doesn’t fit my ethics but to each his or her own. Plenty of other books out there. As Ariana Grande would say: “Thank You, Next….”
No I definitely would not sell it. The horrors of drug addiction all start somewhere and I would not want to play a part in ANY way. If you are or were or have lived with of lost a family member to drug addiction you would never even have to ask a question like this. $75 for loved down the drain??!!
I sell books on controversial topics too, but not on topics that teach one how to cause devastating harm to themselves or others. Books like how to brew your own beer could be harmful, but also could be enjoyed responsibly. A book about war tactics could be used by a tyrant or for defense from an aggressor. There is room for personal responsibility and choice. You really can’t say that about how to make meth; it’s super addictive and deadly. Would you sell a book about how to commit suicide?
Although I don’t see anything illegal about selling it, I would not. Certain lines I will not cross.
Although I guess you wont get to read my comment, it´s worth a try: please don’t sell it!.
I have read your messages. I have read one of your books. I have watched a lot of your videos. I have received graciously all of your bulletin updates. And do you know what I see?
I have seen and perceived the knowledge of a very savy internet marketer, who has had a lot of success in his endeavours on the net and who has done it with an interest to help others, to prove to the world that it doesn’t take a guru to set up a winning and earning business. And even though there is an underlying economical interest as any business would have, this is diluted into a shade opaqued by your eagerness to help others.
This contravenes what any regular marketer and business man would do. Sell it. Just another book. Avid for more money. Moral standards withered away. Money, money, money. Always money…as the song would say.
This I do not see in you. And if you have a certain ¨something¨ inside of you saying, ¨Maybe not this one.¨ It´s what us Christians would call, the voice of conciousness of the Holy Spirit calling at us,
No, personally I wouldn’t sell it. I’ve worked in the courts as an advocate for abused and neglected children and have seen enough having to do with that stuff, so I could never feel right selling a book that could launch a new manufacturer. Sometimes it’s not just about the money, it’s about having a clear conscience about what one does for that money. I want a business that I love and just for me, personally, I wouldn’t feel much love for my business if I sold that kind of material. I would consider the $1 to purchase that book, and destroy it, as a community service donation.
I believe in freedom of speech and the right to bear arms. However, “how to’s” on making dangerous drugs, bombs and homemade weapons are completely unnecessary in the hands of normal, everyday people. The illegal part is kind of irrelevant-Marijuana was illegal forever ( and helps millions of folks) and LSD in the hands of medical professionals is actually beneficial to many people.
If making Meth only harmed the person producing it I’d say sell the book. If someone wants to use that knowledge to destroy themselves who are we to stop them. But it doesn’t only harm that person. It has the potential to destroy many individual lives, families and society as a whole. Addicts don’t care who they hurt to get what they need. And dealers only care about making big money.
I’m sure people can search the web to find information on all kinds of crazy, stupid and illegal things they want to try. And I’ll bet there’s tons of books tons of horrible subjects if you know where to look. Why make it easier for them on Amazon, especially if they’re kids?
Jeff Bezos has enough damn money. He won’t miss his 40% cut of this book or others like it. And we certainly won’t miss our share that badly either. Since I don’t believe in burning books turning it in the police is the best option. Selling on Amazon = bad Karma. Giving to Authorities = good Karma.
Would love to know where you found this book Peter just out of curiosity.
No, I definitely would not sell the book. I would destroy it.
NO As a retired law enforcement officer, I saw many lives ruined due to illegal drug use.
No. Am not against all things illegal, but meth has zero redeeming value.