Record of a Friendship

intended? Also, let us know whether you think that the Little Man

should go out only to influential centers or to the general public.

Summerhill School

Leiston, Suffolk

My dear Reich,

• I •

December 13, 1947

Can't think why it is necessary to publish L.M. now. If in
connection with the enquiry into the Orgone Chamber I can't see how
it will help. Meiner Meinung nach [In my opinion] it would do harm,
for it will enrage many people, and such a book should be given to the
public ONLY when you are accepted as an authority. Otherwise you
would meet the attitude "Who the hell is this Reich guy who tells us
off, cheeky devil." If your name were as widely accepted as that of
Einstein, Shaw, Freud, even Chaplin, then folks would say: "This L.M.
is strong meat to swallow, but the great Reich says it, and there must
be something in it." If it is to be published I am all for its being for
your own circle ... at first. That book would give your enemies the best
weapon against you possible... "Crucify this blasphemer" would be
the cry.
I wired you that I hadn't begun to translate. In school time I can't
even write my own book unless in snatches, and to translate the L.M.
would be a job for a long summer vacation. I fear that you'll have to
get someone in U.S.A. to do it, much as I'd have liked to do it myself.
I tried to write a chapter on your work and after a page of writing
decided that I couldn't. I do not know enough to present your views,
and it struck me that if anyone were to have a chapter in a book called
Neill and his work, I'd tremble with fear, and would be sure to find it
faulty.
I am worried about you, am completely in the dark. Has the State
to investigate every damn thing in U.S.A.? If in England, you could hire
out your Accu's without anyone investigating, especially since you are
not making a profit •.
Longing to hear the latest about the G-M counter. Just thought of
this. It must be impossible to measure atomic energy in a bomb, so if
orgone energy is stronger than atomic it must be that in the pile [atomic
pile, i.e., a nuclear reactor] not the bomb, nicht?
Ena and I are both very tired after a term. She badly needs a rest