An illustrated cultural history of drug use from its roots in animal intoxication to its future in designer neurochemicals • Featuring artwork from the upcoming High Society exhibition at the Wellcome Collection in London; one of the world’s greatest medical history collections • Explores the roles drugs play in different cultures as medicines; religious sacraments; status symbols; and coveted trade goods • Reveals how drugs drove the global trade and cultural exchange that made the modern world • Examines the causes of drug prohibitions a century ago and the current “war on drugs†Every society is a high society. Every day people drink coffee on European terraces and kava in Pacific villages; chew betel nut in Indonesian markets and coca leaf on Andean mountainsides; swallow ecstasy tablets in the clubs of Amsterdam and opium pills in the deserts of Rajastan; smoke hashish in Himalayan temples and tobacco and marijuana in every nation on earth. Exploring the spectrum of drug use throughout history--from its roots in animal intoxication to its future in designer neurochemicals--High Society paints vivid portraits of the roles drugs play in different cultures as medicines; religious sacraments; status symbols; and coveted trade goods. From the botanicals of the classical world through the mind-bending self-experiments of 18th- and 19th-century scientists to the synthetic molecules that have transformed our understanding of the brain; Mike Jay reveals how drugs such as tobacco; tea; and opium drove the global trade and cultural exchange that created the modern world and examines the forces that led to the prohibition of opium and cocaine a century ago and the “war on drugs†that rages today.
#1105692 in Books Westholme Publishing 2005-10-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.16 x 6.70 x 9.16l; 1.51 #File Name: 1594160163320 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Subject; Verb; Object.By Mark T. Patterson IISubject; Verb; Object. This is the style of this writer. This is good for a historical account. No where does one get the sense this author has a bias; or has imputed his own feelings into the text.Instead the work marches through the events of the United States wars with Indians; including those that involved the British; French and Mexican armies from their respective time frames; to the extent they impacted the states and territories of the United States.The regularity of events does become tiresome. But perhaps that is the story; and the facts speak for themselves.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent history of the Indian WarsBy Capt. JackThis is a very well researched and thorough history of the European immigrants' wars and alliances with the native people on our continent.It focuses on strategy and tactics avoiding morality and cultural issues. It also doesn't align with the trend in recent years to see Indians in a purely idyllic manner; which is refreshing.I was surprised at the frequent typos throughout the book. It seems like the editor used spellcheck and let too many errors pass.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great 1st bookBy Amy J. HartleyI bought this book as my first book of the Indian Wars so I could get an overview of the what happened from coast to coast. The book in a very readable and objective as it discusses the Wars and it also takes into account the political; technological and cultural situations that existed. At the end of this book you will be able to go to historical spots or hold a conversation with someone and know what questions to ask because you have enough background knowledge to understand the topic. You will also know what topic you want to explore next if you want to know more about this time frame.
