Why you should read Happily Hippie-American

In our minds, each of us has something like computer folders filled with information about various subjects. The folder in most of our brains labeled “hippie” tends to be a bit of a mess, like a closet full of clutter. That is, our thinking on the subject tends to be confused, unclear, even contradictory. With your permission, I am going to reorganize that folder/closet for you; your clutter is going to be replaced with a clearer, sensible understanding of "hippies." My goal is to clarify and explain using a different approach, a new paradigm--that of an ethnic minority. 

For Countercultural readers, there’s much more. There’s a kind of comfort and security that comes from recognizing and validating your own cultural identity, to understand that by being Hippie, there’s nothing necessarily wrong with you. Hippie identity is ethnicity, and all ethnicity is respectable. You have ethnic/cultural rights. You needn’t apologize for being Hippie; indeed, you have much to be proud of. So, be happily Hippie. This book will help you do that. 

Author Bio

Paul Dougan is a middle-aged Hippie-American who lives near Boulder, Colorado; he is of Scotch-American and German-American descent, hails from Iowa.  An accomplished editorialist, this is his first book. Paul is an English teacher by trade who for many years taught college writing. He has a Masters Degree in English Education. His interests include creating succulent boxes, cooking natural/organic foods, hiking in the mountains and watching film and video. He is an avid reader, and his favorite books are the “Bloody Jack” series by L.A. Meyer about Mary “Jacky” Faber, a London street urchin from 1800 who becomes a ship’s boy in the Royal Navy and whose life is a series of amazing multicultural adventures around the world. Paul attends Columbine Unity spiritual center and is what's called “California sober” (he isn't a drug abuser, but he does responsibly use cannabis). An activist, he is looking for those interested in creating a Hippie-American ethnic organization, a civil-rights organization for Counterculturists.

Paul wrote Happily Hippie-American for two main reasons: first, when he was in his early twenties, he was the victim of an anti-Hippie hate crime (some thugs threw a golf ball at his head from a moving car), and that helped shape his thinking; two, he believes that organizing outgroups and creating democratic-rights, social-equality movements is for the great good of the nation and the world. His mantra is "Heal within; heal without." Photo

Hippie Family Photo Gallery

Part of a Hippie family? We'd love to see photos of your Hippie family--the more generations the better. We will post them on this site; see the gallery using the link below, and the picture below is a fine example of what we're looking for. On the HFPG page, you'll will find a submission form as well as copyright and usage rules. 

The Story of the Writing of Happily Hippie-American

I penned this piece for the Las Vegas Red Carpet Event on February 20th, 2025. I enjoyed writing it, and I believe you'll enjoy reading it. It explains well why this book is worthy of attention, Click on the Writing HH-A button, please.  Should you like to be read to, this page has audio.

Excerpts and Essays

Looking for something to read on this site? I recommend this section which consists of essays from an older edition of this book that were cut for length's sake. They should entertain you, and give you a taste of my writing style. Also, they have audio so you can listen as well as read. The voice is mine. 

Contact List

If you should happen to be one of the above mentioned, one interested in forming a Hippie-American Ethnic Organization, a primary goal of this work, please sign up on the contact list. We can start a nascent organization.

We'll begin with an email list, please.