RELATIVE WISDOM

Is anything sexier than ancient Chinese philosophy?

If sex sells, sex can sell philosophy. The Chinese Aunt, which you see above, is a compendium of ancient fables from Lao-Tsi (aka Lao Tse, Lao Tsu, Laosi, and so forth), the man known as the father of Chinese Daoism. This pulp-style 1960s collection has a bit more visual oomph than those crinkly parchments from the sixth century B.C., and rightly so, because the thing must be just filled with sex. We haven’t read it yet, but we have it right here, and, skipping ahead to where the sexy parts must be, we come to a quote from the Master that says, let’s see, “You know who you are and you know what you want.” True enough—we want some Daoist sex action. Explosions too, if we can get them. After all, the Chinese did invent gunpowder. Skipping ahead again, we find another quote, which goes, “You cannot reflect in streaming water.” Very instructive. We’ll ponder that later. Skipping to the end, because that’s where the climax with all the sex and gunfire and explosions must be, we find another saying from the Master: “When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” Okay, clearly this could take a while. We’ll get back to you after the weekend.     

Femme Fatale Image

ABOUT

SEARCH PULP INTERNATIONAL

PULP INTL.
HISTORY REWIND

The headlines that mattered yesteryear.

1945—Hollywood Black Friday

A six month strike by Hollywood set decorators becomes a riot at the gates of Warner Brothers Studios when strikers and replacement workers clash. The event helps bring about the passage of the Taft-Hartley Act, which, among other things, prohibits unions from contributing to political campaigns and requires union leaders to affirm they are not supporters of the Communist Party.

1957—Sputnik Circles Earth

The Soviet Union launches the satellite Sputnik I, which becomes the first artificial object to orbit the Earth. It orbits for two months and provides valuable information about the density of the upper atmosphere. It also panics the United States into a space race that eventually culminates in the U.S. moon landing.

1970—Janis Joplin Overdoses

American blues singer Janis Joplin is found dead on the floor of her motel room in Los Angeles. The cause of death is determined to be an overdose of heroin, possibly combined with the effects of alcohol.

1908—Pravda Founded

The newspaper Pravda is founded by Leon Trotsky, Adolph Joffe, Matvey Skobelev and other Russian exiles living in Vienna. The name means “truth” and the paper serves as an official organ of the Central Committee of the Communist Party between 1912 and 1991.

1957—Ferlinghetti Wins Obscenity Case

An obscenity trial brought against Lawrence Ferlinghetti, owner of the counterculture City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco, reaches its conclusion when Judge Clayton Horn rules that Allen Ginsberg’s poetry collection Howl is not obscene.

1995—Simpson Acquitted

After a long trial watched by millions of people worldwide, former football star O.J. Simpson is acquitted of the murders of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Simpson subsequently loses a civil suit and is ordered to pay millions in damages.

1919—Wilson Suffers Stroke

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson suffers a massive stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed. He is confined to bed for weeks, but eventually resumes his duties, though his participation is little more than perfunctory. Wilson remains disabled throughout the remainder of his term in office, and the rest of his life.

Classic science fiction from James Grazier with uncredited cover art.
Hammond Innes volcano tale features Italian intrigue and Mitchell Hooks cover art.

VINTAGE ADVERTISING

Things you'd love to buy but can't anymore

Vintage Ad Image

Around the web