Life in the New Dark Age

Doktor John is a retired orthopedic surgeon. For twenty years he wrote regular reports on the gothic, punk and industrial scene for The Aquarian, a rock music magazine. He has previously published a novella, "San Rocco and the Egg Drop Soup," about an identity crisis and enlightenment experienced during a European vacation.

Cover Artwork by Dan Ambrose

Doktor John's new book, "Life in the New Dark Age" is a gripping and informative collection of stories that share with readers his personal journey into the unfamiliar world of the Goth-industrial scene. His exploration begins with close involvement with local goth rock musical groups. This led to his contributing monthly reports on the gothic, punk, and industrial scenes for the rock magazine The Aquarian in his column titled New Dark Age. He uses this experience to write an honest and intimate look into the Goth subculture.

Published by Newman Springs Publishing, Doktor John's captivating tale dives deep into the Goth world in New York City as well as national and international expressions of the subculture. "Life in the New Dark Age" transports readers into an eccentric and exciting world that traces his decades-long adventure in the lively world of Goth. Historical, psychological and philosophical insights gained along the way are included.

In the preface Doctor John tells us, "The subject of this book is the Goth-industrial scene centered primarily around New York City from its heyday in 1990 to its COVID-driven pause in 2020...It takes in what the author deems to be the broad historical and cultural milieu that nourished a specific social and aesthetic group of people: the Goths of Greater NYC and the institutions that served them-their roots, their common interests, their shared experience, and their uniqueness as a subculture."