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Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned Our World
From a psychiatrist on the frontlines of addiction medicine and an expert on the history of drug use comes the "authoritative, engaging, and accessible" history of the flower that helped to build (Booklist) -- and now threatens -- modern society.
Opioid addiction is fast becoming the most deadly crisis in American history. In 2018, it claimed nearly fifty thousand lives -- more than gunshots and car crashes combined, and almost as many Americans as were killed in the entire Vietnam War. But even as the overdose crisis ravages our nation -- straining our prison system, dividing families, and defying virtually every legislative solution to treat it -- few understand how it came to be.
Opium tells the "fascinating" (Lit Hub) and at times harrowing tale of how we arrived at today's crisis, "mak[ing] timely and startling connections among painkillers, politics, finance, and society" (Laurence Bergreen). The story begins with the discovery of poppy artifacts in ancient Mesopotamia, and goes on to explore how Greek physicians and obscure chemists discovered opium's effects and refined its power, how colonial empires marketed it around the world, and eventually how international drug companies developed a range of powerful synthetic opioids that led to an epidemic of addiction.
Throughout, Dr. John Halpern and David Blistein reveal the fascinating role that opium has played in building our modern world, from trade networks to medical protocols to drug enforcement policies. Most importantly, they disentangle how crucial misjudgments, patterns of greed, and racial stereotypes served to transform one of nature's most effective painkillers into a source of unspeakable pain -- and how, using the insights of history, state-of-the-art science, and a compassionate approach to the illness of addiction, we can overcome today's overdose epidemic.
This urgent and masterfully woven narrative tells an epic story of how one beautiful flower became the fascination of leaders, tycoons, and nations through the centuries and in their hands exposed the fragility of our civilization.
An NPR Best Book of the Year
"A landmark project." -- Dr. Andrew Weil
"Engrossing and highly readable." -- Sam Quinones
"An astonishing journey through time and space." -- Julie Holland, MD
"The most important, provocative, and challenging book I've read in a long time." -- Laurence Bergreen
Opioid addiction is fast becoming the most deadly crisis in American history. In 2018, it claimed nearly fifty thousand lives -- more than gunshots and car crashes combined, and almost as many Americans as were killed in the entire Vietnam War. But even as the overdose crisis ravages our nation -- straining our prison system, dividing families, and defying virtually every legislative solution to treat it -- few understand how it came to be.
Opium tells the "fascinating" (Lit Hub) and at times harrowing tale of how we arrived at today's crisis, "mak[ing] timely and startling connections among painkillers, politics, finance, and society" (Laurence Bergreen). The story begins with the discovery of poppy artifacts in ancient Mesopotamia, and goes on to explore how Greek physicians and obscure chemists discovered opium's effects and refined its power, how colonial empires marketed it around the world, and eventually how international drug companies developed a range of powerful synthetic opioids that led to an epidemic of addiction.
Throughout, Dr. John Halpern and David Blistein reveal the fascinating role that opium has played in building our modern world, from trade networks to medical protocols to drug enforcement policies. Most importantly, they disentangle how crucial misjudgments, patterns of greed, and racial stereotypes served to transform one of nature's most effective painkillers into a source of unspeakable pain -- and how, using the insights of history, state-of-the-art science, and a compassionate approach to the illness of addiction, we can overcome today's overdose epidemic.
This urgent and masterfully woven narrative tells an epic story of how one beautiful flower became the fascination of leaders, tycoons, and nations through the centuries and in their hands exposed the fragility of our civilization.
An NPR Best Book of the Year
"A landmark project." -- Dr. Andrew Weil
"Engrossing and highly readable." -- Sam Quinones
"An astonishing journey through time and space." -- Julie Holland, MD
"The most important, provocative, and challenging book I've read in a long time." -- Laurence Bergreen
328 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2019
111 people are currently reading
3642 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
September 20, 2019
This was a great premise but needed a better author and editor. The writing "tone" annoyed me to no end. I had to force myself to finish the book. The actual history of opium could have been condensed (the author came off as more interested in the opioid crisis rather than opium itself so should have focused on that or actually focused on opium). A lot of chapters could have been combined or were not necessary. And while the author kept going on about the opioid crisis, he does a quick gloss over its actual history. This felt more like a junior high essay rather than a useful history. And there was definitely more research that could have been done.
August 27, 2020
Super super interesting. Really brings it home that our modern epidemic of opiate addiction is not entirely a new thing. And it really makes you aware of just how far from modern opiates (like Vicodin, or heroin) are from the original plant, which was used medicinally rather than recreationally.
Opium poppies have been cultivated by humans for over 5000 years-- and may have even been used by our more ancient human ancestors, the Cro-Magnons, tens of thousands of years ago.
But for quite a lot of that history, it was a boon in a world with few means of pain relief.
A major part of the xenophobia and racism towards Chinese immigrants in the late 19th/early 20th century stemmed from this idea that they were all high on opium all the time and would corrupt American society. However, the author notes something interesting: for millenia, prior to the opening of trade with Europe, opium was used only medicinally, and sparingly at that, in Asia for pain relief. It was not a recreational drug, and was not frequently abused. It was only after trade with Europe created a recreational opium industry in the 15th and 16th centuries (leading to the Opium Wars) that opiate addiction came to China, resulting in many deaths and a great deal of suffering.
This book covers all of it, precisely and comprehensively. Definitely recommend.
Opium poppies have been cultivated by humans for over 5000 years-- and may have even been used by our more ancient human ancestors, the Cro-Magnons, tens of thousands of years ago.
But for quite a lot of that history, it was a boon in a world with few means of pain relief.
A major part of the xenophobia and racism towards Chinese immigrants in the late 19th/early 20th century stemmed from this idea that they were all high on opium all the time and would corrupt American society. However, the author notes something interesting: for millenia, prior to the opening of trade with Europe, opium was used only medicinally, and sparingly at that, in Asia for pain relief. It was not a recreational drug, and was not frequently abused. It was only after trade with Europe created a recreational opium industry in the 15th and 16th centuries (leading to the Opium Wars) that opiate addiction came to China, resulting in many deaths and a great deal of suffering.
This book covers all of it, precisely and comprehensively. Definitely recommend.
October 2, 2019
Wanted to learn more about opium after reading a tough book about the opium wars. Given the title, I thought this might be something a little similar, but it ended up not being so. What I thought would be focused on opium and the history (which is what the title and subtitle made me think of), instead the reader is treated to a wide range, from the history to the opioid crisis of today.
I had also hoped for more about the Opium Wars themselves, but instead the author clearly wants to move on and get to what interests him, which was really disappointing. Overall, the negative reviews are right: there needed to be a much stronger editor to hammer this into less scattered thoughts and into something more cohesive.
I'm also cautious due to the negative reviews that state there are historical inaccuracies. Since this is not an area where I'm knowledgeable on I really couldn't say but it makes me a little uneasy after reading this book. Not saying there isn't value to it, but the reviews on Amazon make a strong case as to why maybe a reader should be a little more hesitant.
Library borrow and that was best.
I had also hoped for more about the Opium Wars themselves, but instead the author clearly wants to move on and get to what interests him, which was really disappointing. Overall, the negative reviews are right: there needed to be a much stronger editor to hammer this into less scattered thoughts and into something more cohesive.
I'm also cautious due to the negative reviews that state there are historical inaccuracies. Since this is not an area where I'm knowledgeable on I really couldn't say but it makes me a little uneasy after reading this book. Not saying there isn't value to it, but the reviews on Amazon make a strong case as to why maybe a reader should be a little more hesitant.
Library borrow and that was best.
October 22, 2019
Well, as the saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover and this nicely rendered cover caught my attention at my library. I felt the author had an agenda and that was to drill into the reader’s head that addiction is a disease, and if you think differently well, you just don’t know anything. I think the book was poorly researched and in need of some serious editing. And the author’s tone throughout was really annoying. By the last quarter of the book I was beginning to doubt all I had read prior due to the preaching on how the opium addiction in present society should be handled. The ends justify the means? Cannot say I’d recommend.
February 24, 2025
Incredible. The relevancy of the opioid epidemic will never end, but Dr. Halpern reminds us that addiction is a disease, not a moral failing. Focusing on treatment rather than criminalization would save thousands of lives, and saving one person is saving a world.
November 6, 2020
A very informative book about Opium. The plant, the history, it's medicinal values and of course, the addictions. I have to say that I learned a lot from this book. Critical knowledge that I never knew. I highly recommend it.
June 1, 2025
Truly amazing how much of a weasel the author manages to be. Harry Aslinger is slandered as a racist, when he was right on the money about which groups were central to distributing drugs to the public.
Meanwhile, Angela Davis, a known terrorist, is lauded as some great inspiration to mankind.
Meanwhile, Angela Davis, a known terrorist, is lauded as some great inspiration to mankind.
March 12, 2024
Overall I would call this a “chew the meat and spit out the bones” kind of book. The history of Opium was quite interesting, and the very reason I picked up this book in the first place. I was aware that it would most likely have something to say about the opium crisis today and I was okay with that, but it ended up focusing so much on the opium crisis and the authors’ personal opinions about how to solve that than anything else. Besides being very scattered in its thoughts and timelines, it was also obviously biased and not well researched in some areas.
January 24, 2021
This is a timely but flawed book. The first half of the book is an overview of international trade of opium and spices which I mainly skimmed through. It isn't until Chapter 21 that modern day problems are discussed. There is obligatory photo of Elvis and President Nixon. Drug addiction is a two edged as it is used to control pain, yet is extremely addictive with the main cause of addiction is access. The biggest drug problem is among health care workers because of drug access, but the book never mentions this fact. The information most relevant to me was the war in Afghanistan and the case of Robert Ulrichdt, who graduated from the same affluent high school as my son.
February 5, 2024
The COVID-19 epidemic was horrible. And opioid epidemic is equally the same, but not everyone is aware of it.
I found it quite lengthy at the beginning about the history of the poppy, but as I progressed to the next few chapters, they were quite well-organised. The book was helpful in terms of understanding the application of a painkiller and a poison. It was hard to believe a small plant was so powerful in trade and there were several wars on it. And terribly, a small poisonous painkiller got approved and administered widely in the US, which affected a large number of people in a terrible way.
This is a good choice for anyone who cares about Science/Public Health Policy/Wellness.
I found it quite lengthy at the beginning about the history of the poppy, but as I progressed to the next few chapters, they were quite well-organised. The book was helpful in terms of understanding the application of a painkiller and a poison. It was hard to believe a small plant was so powerful in trade and there were several wars on it. And terribly, a small poisonous painkiller got approved and administered widely in the US, which affected a large number of people in a terrible way.
This is a good choice for anyone who cares about Science/Public Health Policy/Wellness.
May 23, 2025
The tone of this book is sometimes confusing—there’s a personal touch and a human connection from the author for sure—but that often makes itself apparent in the odd opinion skewing supposed historical facts.
Definitely an interesting read though. It seems important to understand the complexity of opium’s presence in all recorded human history.
Definitely an interesting read though. It seems important to understand the complexity of opium’s presence in all recorded human history.
October 14, 2019
Filled with science and insight, this comprehensive study of opium’s history will appeal to anyone, regardless of discipline, who is eager to understand how we got to where we are. Read all the footnotes—they are both informative and amusing!
March 15, 2021
This is a pretty good book on the nuts and bolts of opium throughout history from its discovery and usage in the aniquity to the modern day opioid abuse issues in our communism’s country. Overall a pretty good, yet shallow introduction to opium.
dnf
November 5, 2019It read similar to a high school essay. Disjointed and not super interesting. I would rather read the wiki article
March 9, 2022
Wow eye opening
December 17, 2024
This is really more 4 1/2 stars but GR doesn't have half star options unfortunately
February 6, 2026
I was expecting/hoping for more on the medical aspect considering it was written by an MD but this is really more about the economic and historical aspect of Opium. Informative and just the right amount of depressing about the state of our world.
September 18, 2019
A fascinating history of the opium drug trade and origins of how it all began. If you like Mark Kurlansky's Salt or Cod or even A. J. Arden's Stoned, this has very similar feel to the economic and political infrastructure of this particular flower.
July 26, 2023
Warning to Readers of “Opium – How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned Our World”
I want to inform you that the book “Opium – How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned Our World” has inaccurate and misrepresented data. At least one statistic is also presented in a discriminatory way.
I read the introduction and was not aware of the discrimination until I read chapter four and became suspicious because certain facts seemed wrong.
Here is the introductory sentence that I realized had discrimination and inaccurate data:
“In 2017, 47,600 people died of opioid-related overdoses – more than gunshots and car crashes combined… and almost as many as were killed in the entire Vietnam War.”
After reading the text in chapter four, I decided to double check the CDC data from 2017. I found that the overall total of Murder By Firearms was 39,773.
If the text from the introduction were true it would mean that in the year 2017 the number of victims who died from car crashes would have to be 7,827 or less. For this number we turn to U.S. DOT information where we find the number is 37,133. In other words, the original number for the Opioid-related overdoses IS NOT “more than gunshots and car crashes combined.”
The data in Chapter Four reads as follows “At a time when 13,000 Americans are murdered with guns every year and 22,000 use guns to commit suicide.” The author cites CDC data for 2017 but when I checked the numbers from the CDC they were greater than those he quoted.
Murder By Gun: 14,542 (2017)
Suicide By Guns: 23,854 (2017)
Why would the author round down or underestimate the numbers? Misrepresentation. Or he didn’t double check his data.
In reference to the discrimination the second part of the introductory sentence struck me the wrong way. The Author states, “almost as many as were killed in the entire Vietnam War.” The Author does not list a source and leaves the referenced value to be ambiguous. Now, if we use our Historical Brains for a moment, (Isn’t that what we are supposed to do in a Library?) we can look up the Vietnam War very easily. But, before we do, we have to stop and think. Does 47,600 really sound close to the “almost as many as were killed in the Vietnam War?” No.
Now for the numbers.
If you look at archives.gov you will note that the total records were 58,220. But this number only refers to US military. Usually a war has allies, foes, and innocents. Consequently, if we total all of the numbers we get a much higher figure. TOTAL dead: 1,326,494 - 3,447, 494. (wikipedia)
In other words, it looks like the author used discrimination or misrepresentation and decided to count only the US Military. If we re-read the sentence “almost as many as were killed in the Vietnam War” there is no reference to US Military, or any set group of people. There are also no references mentioned nor are there any mentions of the real numbers of people affected by the War. Even if we just look at the US Ally deaths we get 282,000. Why, then, does the Author only focus on the US Military? It could be convenience because the numbers are a close match, maybe it is pride for his country, or maybe it is discrimination against the Allies, Vietnam Citizens, and the Vietnam Militia.
If it was pride for his country or convenience wouldn’t the author properly cite their sources as to indicate that this number was specific to the US Military? The fact that there are no cited sources raises suspicion that the author knowingly discriminated.
In conclusion, the lack of properly cited sources and ambiguity and misrepresentation of data lowers the credibility of the author. Especially since the data can be cross referenced with records.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Reader
I want to inform you that the book “Opium – How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned Our World” has inaccurate and misrepresented data. At least one statistic is also presented in a discriminatory way.
I read the introduction and was not aware of the discrimination until I read chapter four and became suspicious because certain facts seemed wrong.
Here is the introductory sentence that I realized had discrimination and inaccurate data:
“In 2017, 47,600 people died of opioid-related overdoses – more than gunshots and car crashes combined… and almost as many as were killed in the entire Vietnam War.”
After reading the text in chapter four, I decided to double check the CDC data from 2017. I found that the overall total of Murder By Firearms was 39,773.
If the text from the introduction were true it would mean that in the year 2017 the number of victims who died from car crashes would have to be 7,827 or less. For this number we turn to U.S. DOT information where we find the number is 37,133. In other words, the original number for the Opioid-related overdoses IS NOT “more than gunshots and car crashes combined.”
The data in Chapter Four reads as follows “At a time when 13,000 Americans are murdered with guns every year and 22,000 use guns to commit suicide.” The author cites CDC data for 2017 but when I checked the numbers from the CDC they were greater than those he quoted.
Murder By Gun: 14,542 (2017)
Suicide By Guns: 23,854 (2017)
Why would the author round down or underestimate the numbers? Misrepresentation. Or he didn’t double check his data.
In reference to the discrimination the second part of the introductory sentence struck me the wrong way. The Author states, “almost as many as were killed in the entire Vietnam War.” The Author does not list a source and leaves the referenced value to be ambiguous. Now, if we use our Historical Brains for a moment, (Isn’t that what we are supposed to do in a Library?) we can look up the Vietnam War very easily. But, before we do, we have to stop and think. Does 47,600 really sound close to the “almost as many as were killed in the Vietnam War?” No.
Now for the numbers.
If you look at archives.gov you will note that the total records were 58,220. But this number only refers to US military. Usually a war has allies, foes, and innocents. Consequently, if we total all of the numbers we get a much higher figure. TOTAL dead: 1,326,494 - 3,447, 494. (wikipedia)
In other words, it looks like the author used discrimination or misrepresentation and decided to count only the US Military. If we re-read the sentence “almost as many as were killed in the Vietnam War” there is no reference to US Military, or any set group of people. There are also no references mentioned nor are there any mentions of the real numbers of people affected by the War. Even if we just look at the US Ally deaths we get 282,000. Why, then, does the Author only focus on the US Military? It could be convenience because the numbers are a close match, maybe it is pride for his country, or maybe it is discrimination against the Allies, Vietnam Citizens, and the Vietnam Militia.
If it was pride for his country or convenience wouldn’t the author properly cite their sources as to indicate that this number was specific to the US Military? The fact that there are no cited sources raises suspicion that the author knowingly discriminated.
In conclusion, the lack of properly cited sources and ambiguity and misrepresentation of data lowers the credibility of the author. Especially since the data can be cross referenced with records.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Reader
December 8, 2019
Fascinating look at opiates throughout history.
October 16, 2019
Seemed to blame the VA for the development of the 5th vital sign, which according to several other books that I have read on the subject was initialized and heavily promoted by the pharmaceutical companies and Perdue in particular in order to increase markets for their new drugs. Overall felt like he gave the pharma companies a pass on their responsibility for the current opioid crisis by saying that people/companies have always made money off of opium. Interesting history but overall not satisfying.
November 10, 2019
Parts of this book were absolutely fascinating. I was drawn in by the chapters about the role of Opium in the Silk Road in the first half, and the authors' analyses of how each modern American president had addressed and contributed to the drug trade. Unfortunately, this nonfiction book is weighed down by long-winded descriptions and vaguely relevant facts about Chinese dynasties.
These authors clearly did a huge amount of research while writing this book, however I think it could have been edited to be at least 100 pages shorter.
These authors clearly did a huge amount of research while writing this book, however I think it could have been edited to be at least 100 pages shorter.
June 15, 2020
A history of opium from the global perspective, with a concluding section on steps to treat and heal opium addiction. Personally, I had expected more of a current focus from the book blurb and have always struggled through earlier world history. This took a very long time to complete for that reason. The flow was interrupted consistently with brief chapters. By the time it got to the content I was hoping for, it was nearly finished.
January 10, 2020
I found the history more interesting than the narrative of current opioid epidemic
June 18, 2020
A unique and through read that has aspects of history and social commentary on the Opioid Epidemic. This book has so much to offer that I'll review it from multiple perspectives.
1. History Teacher's Review- Exploring the impact of opium in societies (pre-civ to present) is captivating as it's not normally covered in standard history texts. Hence Halpern's goal to take away the taboo of not talking about drug use as it is certainly nothing new to the world. Also random side note: I also deeply appreciated the idea of females being encorporated seemlessly into the historical narrative which one might not even notice. If you notice this too let me know because we should be friends.... or maybe we're soulmates!
2. Concerned Citizen's Review- This book provides practical and useful solutions to help the Opioid Epidemic by looking at what has worked and where particulary in Portugal where I currently live. (See link below.) I testify that I seldom, if ever see people sick from addiction in the streets, so the fact that there are solutions literally outside my window that people have closed the blinds to is frustrating to say the least. Yet, blinds can be lifted and windows opened with more informantion which is exactly what this book works to do.
3. Grieving Sister's Review- I wish my brother had read this book as it works to take the stigmy/shame away. This book was inspired by a friend of the author who was too ashamed to ask for help and died as a result. I wish this book was getting more hype as it really does a lot to help people suffering (including family members) get help, hopefully before it's too late. I wish the heading of this perspective was "This book Saved My Brother's Life Review" as this book has the potential to do that. I pray there have been and will to continue to be many of those reviews.
In short, if the ideas/solutions brought forth in this book would be internalized and used by society to introduce true reform this book could save many lives.
More information: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017...
October 11, 2019
A comprehensive account of opium throughout history. Its role both politically and economically was enormous. The medicinal potential of the drug was, at first, predominant, but as casual use spread, addiction began to be a problem. Even the ancients of Greece and Rome concluded that opium was both a gift—aiding in surgery and relieving pain especially in the terminally ill—and a danger with accidental overdoses and personality changes. The introduction of opium to China by the East India Company resulted in large sectors of the population becoming dependent and the Opium Wars of the late 1800’s where the British fought to retain their valuable trade. Various forms of opium were extracted from the poppy, morphine, codeine and the element that created oxycontin among them. Laudanum became popular in America and was a component of many patent medicines. More powerful versions were synthesized and overdoses became common particularly with prescription drugs promoted by the pharmaceutical industry. Patients who became addicted to these drugs often switched to heroin and fentanyl for ease of access and cheaper price. Criminal drug cartels became rampant particularly in Mexico and Central and South America. In opposition, laws were passed that withheld opium and its derivatives from patients who suffered from unrelenting pain. Doctors resisted prescribing these drugs fearing the loss of licenses or criminal charges. As always, opium was seen as a black or white element: an evil purveyor of life-stealing dependency or the welcome consolation for the agony of many diseases. This book is well-written and easily comprehended. It includes a chapter on potential new means of controlling pain and ways of treating addiction.
May 29, 2024
Cinnamon. Sugared cream. Chocolate and marshmallows. These were the three different flavors of coffee I sipped, almost intentionally and ironically, while reading Halpern's and Blistein's moderate history of a naturally addictive substance, cover to cover in a single day. Coming off a year of teaching sixth grade World Civilization, this being my first official day of summer break, I found parts of Opium--pages that dealt with ancient figures/places and the trail of peculiar spices--to be uniquely compelling and enlightening. But as the text got closer to its final quarter, the stories fell boringly short of other now-familiar narratives--like Dopesick--and the problem-solving open-mindedness of its authors fell tragically flat, despite the realities we face and our desperate need for problem-solving, open-minded experts like these two men. As a relatively pessimistic American in 2024, I fear that our nation is drifting further from its attempted roots, where educated statesmen once tackled impossible issues with competent ideas and eloquent language. I fear we're moving closer to some version of ancient civilization itself, where all the complex issues of the world we should understand and be able to manage better, together, are simply dumbed down with ignorant, passive language, where people become nothing more than easily manipulated characters in someone else's power grab. Nevertheless, while I am not optimistic that our leaders and legislators can actually do something about the opioid crisis at this stage in our fragile, failing nation, I appreciated this journey through several thousand years of painkilling humanity.
May 4, 2020
Though this great book ends by addressing the current opioid crisis, why it was written, one of its strengths and certainly most interesting elements for me was the thorough review of opium and opioid culture throughout history. Our concept and labeling of the Silk Road could just as easily, and perhaps more accurately, have been the Poppy Road; it was really eye-opening to learn just how many major events in ancient and modern history were centered around, or at least involving, access to poppies, opium, or the wealth it generated. The author's passion for educating the reader on the use, and misuse of opioids, inspired by the death of his friend, takes a non-finger pointing approach; this of course has merit as there have been many successes in treating addiction as a disease, not as a crime. The book ends with an equally thorough review of modern opioid use and abuse, and for the latter what has worked and not worked in "the war on drugs" from prevention (e.g., "this is your brain on drugs"), treatment, and punishment perspectives. There clearly are no solutions yet, though the author reviews some of the areas of narcotic and mental health research that show much promise. One message that keeps coming across, treating addicts as criminals is not the correct approach from moral or socioeconomic, and many other perspectives. The book is written for a wide audience. Highly recommended.
February 19, 2026
This book was FULL of information. It covers a complete history of the "discovery" and use of opium from ancient times forward. There is a pretty good synopsis of the opium wars in China, as well as the various uses and concoctions throughout history: both medicinal and not. The author also covers the chemical derivatives of opium and their impact (morphine and heroin). He also looks at the social,economic, political and legal impact of all of these drugs on America, as well as the newer opiates such as OxyContin and Fentanyl. The last chapter covers efforts to control and deal with addiction.
The only thing it doesn't really cover is the biological nature of opiates and addiction. I would have also liked to see a little more botanical information on the plant itself - why are certain varieties of the papaver species more potent than others? Is it like wine grapes where the soil, water, and climate of specific regions contribute more or less to the opiate output?
I found the book well written. It doesn't get bogged down in too much detail, and uses a little humor when appropriate. Lots of food for thought. It is incredibly well researched. The final chapter on addiction treatment was eye opening, and disheartening since it feels like we'll never get where we need to be.
All in all, a solid, informative read that moves along and presents a wide range of information in an accessible way.
The only thing it doesn't really cover is the biological nature of opiates and addiction. I would have also liked to see a little more botanical information on the plant itself - why are certain varieties of the papaver species more potent than others? Is it like wine grapes where the soil, water, and climate of specific regions contribute more or less to the opiate output?
I found the book well written. It doesn't get bogged down in too much detail, and uses a little humor when appropriate. Lots of food for thought. It is incredibly well researched. The final chapter on addiction treatment was eye opening, and disheartening since it feels like we'll never get where we need to be.
All in all, a solid, informative read that moves along and presents a wide range of information in an accessible way.
November 27, 2019
This book covers the deep history and evolution of the poppy plant and how a natural flower has been manipulated by humankind into an unrelenting and unforgiving killer.
There is a lot of history here and the knowledge base conveyed by Halpern is vast. However, aside from the last two sections which deal with current times and how to proceed in our fight on addiction, the book is organized into quick, short sections that are mostly chronological divisions.
Halpern does not express any sort of defined “agenda” until later stages in the book when he wholeheartedly classifies opium addiction as a disease rather than a criminal act. While there will be readers that inevitably disagree with some of his conclusions, the book and its factual observations serve as solid evidence for his thoughts. Not to mention, opium addiction has touched his life on both a professional and personal level.
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to learn “where it all started” as well as anyone who wants an assortment of well constructed thoughts and possibilities for how to learn from past mistakes and progress as a nation in combating this epidemic compassionately and logically.
There is a lot of history here and the knowledge base conveyed by Halpern is vast. However, aside from the last two sections which deal with current times and how to proceed in our fight on addiction, the book is organized into quick, short sections that are mostly chronological divisions.
Halpern does not express any sort of defined “agenda” until later stages in the book when he wholeheartedly classifies opium addiction as a disease rather than a criminal act. While there will be readers that inevitably disagree with some of his conclusions, the book and its factual observations serve as solid evidence for his thoughts. Not to mention, opium addiction has touched his life on both a professional and personal level.
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to learn “where it all started” as well as anyone who wants an assortment of well constructed thoughts and possibilities for how to learn from past mistakes and progress as a nation in combating this epidemic compassionately and logically.
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