readandfindout's review against another edition

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dark informative slow-paced

4.5

Style/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Perspective: 5 stars

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cathuluu's review against another edition

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dark informative medium-paced

4.5


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nassuada's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0


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sarah_who_reads's review against another edition

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dark informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

 I adore Patrick Radden Keefe and would read anything he wrote, but this one is near and dear to my heart. It explores the Sackler family and their connection to the opioid epidemic that has ravaged the US as a whole, but especially Appalachia. In Empire of Pain, Radden Keefe traces the rise of the Sackler dynasty, beginning with its origins in Arthur Sackler's high school side hustle, and its inextricable connection to explosion of opioid addictions in the late 90s and early 00s. Radden Keefe is journalistic, one of the US' best journalists currently writing, but as one reads through, it becomes obvious, over and over again, why his measured tone belies a rage simmering just below the surface. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the opioid epidemic or Appalachia or medicine, or otherwise, anyone interested in the art world and the misdeeds of some of its most prominent benefactors.

 

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brinnet's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Very interesting look into a wealthy American family and their role in modern drug addiction.

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dancingdugongs's review against another edition

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dark informative medium-paced

4.5


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mc235's review against another edition

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dark informative sad medium-paced

5.0

I listened to the audiobook of this and was gripped throughout. I think I might have struggled with the first section of the book had I been reading it, but overall for such an enormous book it was very well paced. Incredibly thorough indictment of the Sacklers and the pharmaceutical industry. 

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_fallinglight_'s review against another edition

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challenging dark informative sad tense medium-paced

4.5

Surreal, insightful, albeit and clinical deep dive into the depraved and unhinged Sackler criminal billionaire family. This book is one of many definitive proofs that the billionaire is incompatible with humanity at this point and greed is an addiction as equally destructive and demoralizing as any substance addiction if not more or worse. The lengths the rotting rich go to to keep their corrosive money are so twisted but it's also morbidly impressive how they weave the web of connections and buy their way into getting the results they want. Particularly this family who honestly wouldn't have made it without ass kissers and enablers and unscrupulous people making their perversity possible bc most of them are so offensively insensitive and stupid.

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____emily____'s review against another edition

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informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.75


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samarakroeger's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative slow-paced

4.25

fascinating and extensive look at the villain origin story behind the opioid epidemic.  as addicting to read as oxy (although this is certainly a slow release). 

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