The Pursuit of Oblivion - by Richard Davenport-Hines (Paperback)
Similar Products
Products of same category from the store
All
Product info
<p/><br></br><p><b> About the Book </b></p></br></br>In this uniquely comprehensive history of drugs and their role in society, award-winning historian Davenport-Hines examines how illicit medicines developed into a huge illegal business. Drawing on evidence from five centuries, "The Pursuit of Oblivion" is considered the standard work on this subject of global importance.<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br>Spanning five centuries and several continents in a sweeping portrait of addiction, <em>The Pursuit of Oblivion</em> traces the history of the use and abuse of narcotics, revealing their subtle transformation from untested medicines to sources of idle pleasure and, relatively recently, to illegal substances. Richard Davenport-Hines, an eminent, prize-winning historian, uncovers the centrality of drug abuse in our modern industrial society, from the drug habits of Charles Dickens and John F. Kennedy to today's $400 billion annual worldwide trade in illicit drugs (the same volume as the oil industry). A vivid portrayal of the people and events that have shaped the history of narcotics, <em>The Pursuit of Oblivion</em> reveals that, contrary to the assumption underlying current drug policies, our need to escape reality and our body's need for physical pleasure are both ineradicable aspects of our humanity, unchangeable by government initiative.<p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br>A good read: lively, anecdotal, and written with the reader in mind.--D.M. Fahey "Choice"<br><br>A stern and sustained history...first-rate scholarship...a powerful indictment of mostly failed policy.-- "Washington Post"<br><br>A well-drawn, comprehensive account of a troubling subject.-- "Kirkus Reviews"<br><br>Accomplished with authority and flair.-- "Virginia Quarterly Review"<br><br>America has exported bad drug policy since the Civil War, the book shows.-- "The Week"<br><br>An impressively researched and exhaustive volume...[that] should be considered definitive.-- "San Diego Union Tribune"<br><br>Factually detailed and rich in anecdote.-- "Boston Phoenix"<br><br>Highly absorbing...an extremely impressive work.--Christine Keneally "The New York Times"<br><br>His book is a technical triumph: well researched, well-written, well presented. . . . Moreover, it is convincing.--Felipe Fernandez-Armesto "The Independent"<br><br>Pragmatic and persuasive, full of fascinating lore and intelligent interpretation... overwhelming evidence and penetrating analysis.-- "Boston Globe"<br><br>Starred Review. A sharply opinionated history of drugs...encyclopedic in scope and varied in perspective...difficult to dismiss.-- "Publishers Weekly"<br><br>The best general account of the subject...thoroughly researched and expertly written.--Roy Porter "Literary Review"<br><br>The most important study on this subject in years, perhaps ever.--Phillip Knightley "Sunday Times [London]"<br><br>[A] highly literate and readable account...an author who is thoroughly conversant with the international and intercontinental aspects of drug policy.--Philip Jenkins, author of Synthetic Panics<br><br>An amazing, knock-your-socks-off book, argued with depth and cunning....A stunning and vital book.--James R. Kincaid, Aerol Arnold Professor of English, University of Southern California<br>
Price History
Cheapest price in the interval: 32.49 on November 8, 2021
Most expensive price in the interval: 32.49 on December 20, 2021
Price Archive shows prices from various stores, lets you see history and find the cheapest. There is no actual sale on the website. For all support, inquiry and suggestion messagescommunication@pricearchive.us