Discover your next great read with our book reviews
Cover of HUMAN HISTORY ON DRUGS
4.02

Based on 270 Goodreads ratings

HUMAN HISTORY ON DRUGS

by professing that he’s obsessed by the past—and that, being on the autism spectrum, “I develop an almost physical compulsion to know everything there is to know on a subject.” This lively book is proof positive, a whole warren of rabbit holes that lead to unexpected vignettes about the mind\u002Daltering habits of the likes of George Washington (laudanum), Queen Victoria (ganja), Elvis Presley (the whole medicine cabinet), and Adolf Hitler (“coked out of his mind”). Kelly reaches deep into the past, reckoning that people have enjoyed various means of bending reality since there have been people: One early case is Marcus Aurelius, the brilliant Roman emperor whose Meditations Kelly likens to “The Art of the Deal [if it] had been written by Jesus Christ instead of Donald Trump” and whose chronic pain was relieved by goodly doses of opium prescribed by his physician, none other than the famed medical encyclopedist Galen. Young Judy Garland was prescribed mounds of pills at the behest of studio executives who “preferred to get her addicted to drugs and ruin her life than give her a reasonable work schedule.” The Beatles, of course, famously got so ripped that, as the comedian Bill Hicks used to quip, they let Ringo sing—but, Kelly notes, even though they were fairly open about their drug use (John Lennon: “I’ve always needed a drug to survive”), they also denied being proselytes, about which Kelly brightly remarks that if simply mentioning drugs brings down the (silver) hammer, “well, then, frankly, I’m in a lot of trouble.” And Shakespeare? As Kelly notes, “pipes with cannabis residue” have been found in the Bard’s garden—and besides, “his plays are filled with characters who ingest all manner of fantastical pharmaceutical concoctions.”"

Book Details

Publisher:Of
Published:2024-01-01
Pages:401
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9780593476

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This provocative exploration of psychoactive substances throughout civilization offers a bold, unflinching look at how drugs have shaped human culture, religion, and society from ancient rituals to m...

Our Review

This provocative exploration of psychoactive substances throughout civilization offers a bold, unflinching look at how drugs have shaped human culture, religion, and society from ancient rituals to modern medicine. The book presents a comprehensive historical narrative that connects shamanic traditions, religious ceremonies, and scientific discoveries, providing a factual foundation for understanding humanity's complex relationship with mind-altering substances. It tackles this mature subject with academic rigor, avoiding sensationalism while maintaining a compelling narrative pace that will captivate curious teens.

What sets this work apart is its balanced perspective, examining both the cultural significance and the societal consequences of drug use across different eras and civilizations. The content is best suited for mature young adult readers who can critically engage with the complex ethical and historical questions presented, making it an invaluable resource for discussions about history, anthropology, and personal responsibility. This thought-provoking examination challenges readers to consider the multifaceted role these substances have played in driving both human progress and human suffering throughout our shared story.

0