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nassuada's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
The author spends vast chunks of the book talking more about other areas of history (such as the development of the medical profession) with no mention of how opium contributed past vague mentions of its use. The last third of the book (from roughly 1900 to today) feels rushed. Some concepts introduced in the book (such as the development of OxyContin and the overall development of synthetic opioids) are barely explained and poorly developed.
Overall the book is okay, but I wouldn't recommend it as much more as a signpost to find more detailed books about specific parts of the history of opium.
Overall the book is okay, but I wouldn't recommend it as much more as a signpost to find more detailed books about specific parts of the history of opium.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Suicide, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence and Murder
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