{"product_id":"9780312206673","title":"Opium : A History","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eOpium\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): Martin Booth\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eKnown to mankind since prehistoric times, opium is arguably the oldest and most widely used narcotic.  \u003ci\u003eOpium: A History\u003c\/i\u003e traces the drug's astounding impact on world culture-from its religious use by prehistoric peoples to its influence on the imaginations of the Romantic writers; from the earliest medical science to the Sino-British opium wars.  And, in the present day, as the addict population rises and penetrates every walk of life, \u003ci\u003eOpium\u003c\/i\u003e shows how the international multibillion-dollar heroin industry operates with terrifying efficiency and forms an integral part of the world's money markets.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this first full-length history of opium, acclaimed author Martin Booth uncovers the multifaceted nature of this remarkable narcotic and the bittersweet effects of a simple poppy with a deadly legacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e“In writing this exhaustively researched history...Booth brings us that much closer to understanding-and thereby conquering-the most tenacious of human conditions.” —\u003ci\u003eAmazon.com\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The book's wealth of detail is remarkable.” —\u003ci\u003eThe Economist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003eOpium \u003c\/i\u003eis of great value for its thoroughness, and it is briskly written...Each chapter [is] a ball of opium with an explosive charge.” —\u003ci\u003eThe Boston Globe\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Booth takes us from \u003ci\u003eP. somniferum\u003c\/i\u003e to 'black gold', compellingly documenting the influential role of the opiate trade throughout history.” —\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“From the subtleties of Chinese history to the complexities of GoldenTriangle narco-nationalism, ...Booth shows us a sure grasp of his material and manages to pull the innumberable and far-flung threads...neatly together.” —\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9780312206673\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"St. Martin's Griffin","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":40594043502798,"sku":"9780312206673","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/7029\/7806\/products\/getimage_6d4ab316-595a-4c5f-ad2f-a0b6dcfdf897.jpg?v=1637799825","url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9780312206673","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}