Shift

Shift is a 2010 alternative history novel and the first entry in the Gates of Orpheus trilogy by Tim Kring and Dale Peck. Set in the 1960s, the story follows multiple characters caught in the aftermath of secret government LSD experiments. The narrative centers on Chandler Forrestal, who becomes entangled in a dangerous web of espionage after meeting a mysterious woman named Naz Haverman. After an unexpected LSD experience grants him unusual abilities, Chandler finds himself pursued by CIA operatives intent on exploiting his newfound capabilities. The novel combines elements of historical fiction, espionage thriller, and science fiction against the backdrop of Cold War-era America. CIA experiments, mind control programs, and political conspiracies drive the plot forward as Chandler navigates an increasingly treacherous landscape. The story explores themes of consciousness expansion, government control, and the price of power during a pivotal period in American history. Through its alternative historical lens, Shift presents a darker interpretation of the cultural and political upheavals of the 1960s.

Readers report that Shift fails to deliver on its premise of supernatural government conspiracy. Multiple reviews note the book reads like a rough TV pilot script rather than a novel. What readers liked: - Fast-paced action sequences - Scientific and historical details about MK-ULTRA - Original concept combining 1960s counterculture with government experiments What readers disliked: - Underdeveloped characters - Plot holes and abandoned storylines - Writing style shifts between authors - Rushed ending - Too many unexplained supernatural elements "The potential was there but it never came together," noted one Amazon reviewer. Another commented that "the co-writing is obvious and jarring." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.3/5 (386 ratings) Amazon: 3.2/5 (31 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.1/5 (21 ratings) The book appeared to target fans of Kring's TV show Heroes but most readers felt it didn't match that series' quality or coherence.

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe Chronicles Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters' LSD-fueled journey across 1960s America, revealing the intersection of consciousness exploration and counterculture movements.

Declare by Tim Powers Blends Cold War espionage with supernatural elements as a CIA operative discovers dark forces manipulating world events behind the Iron Curtain.

MK-Ultra: Sex, Drugs and the CIA by Paul Davey Documents the CIA's real-life mind control program through declassified files and firsthand accounts from participants and researchers.

The Dead Zone by Stephen King Follows a man who gains psychic abilities after a near-death experience and becomes entangled in political conspiracies that threaten national security.

The Men Who Stare at Goats by Jon Ronson Investigates the U.S. military's actual attempts to create supersoldiers through paranormal and psychic experiments during the Cold War era.

🔸 The CIA actually conducted secret mind-control experiments using LSD through Project MKUltra from 1953 to 1973, similar to the events portrayed in "Shift" 🔸 Tim Kring is also the creator of the popular NBC series "Heroes" and pioneered the concept of "transmedia storytelling" across multiple platforms 🔸 The 1960s saw over 30 million Americans try psychedelic drugs, with researchers conducting over 1,000 clinical studies on LSD's potential therapeutic benefits 🔸 Dale Peck's controversial literary criticism earned him the nickname "hatchet man" for his scathing reviews in The New Republic, making this thriller collaboration an unexpected departure 🔸 The book's setting coincides with Operation Midnight Climax, a real CIA program that used sex workers to lure clients to LSD-testing facilities in San Francisco