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gemrob's review against another edition
5.0
Considering how much I detest Pollan’s other work, this one surprised me
katherina_lei's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely an interesting and thought provoking read. I found the section on caffeine most interesting overall, and would recommend that section. I could appreciate some of the argument being made about the war on drugs generally, but definitely disagreed with some of Pollan's opinions expressed about opium. I appreciated a broader view of the issue however, and enjoyed reading something that made me think about why I hold the beliefs I do.
That being said, I was irked that Pollan spent a significant amount of time talking about how peyote should be only accessible and legal to native people in the US due to it's cultural significance and lack of supply, (an argument he made quite convincingly) while also trying to find a way to experience it himself. It seemed very hypocritical to me, and while I appreciate that he was trying to experience this for his writing, it felt like he ended up really pushing some of the native people he talked to and didn't fully respect their wishes. I recognize that the laws and uses around peyote are steeped in nuance, but it felt a bit icky to me as Pollan spoke about cultural appropriation and respecting the wishes of native people, while also trying to push the limits himself.
That being said, I was irked that Pollan spent a significant amount of time talking about how peyote should be only accessible and legal to native people in the US due to it's cultural significance and lack of supply, (an argument he made quite convincingly) while also trying to find a way to experience it himself. It seemed very hypocritical to me, and while I appreciate that he was trying to experience this for his writing, it felt like he ended up really pushing some of the native people he talked to and didn't fully respect their wishes. I recognize that the laws and uses around peyote are steeped in nuance, but it felt a bit icky to me as Pollan spoke about cultural appropriation and respecting the wishes of native people, while also trying to push the limits himself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
brittneyhm's review against another edition
3.0
It was interesting, based on only three topics - opium, caffeine and mescaline. It’s just a bit mixed with facts, the authors memoir and little interesting historical tidbits. It’s a bit ADHD but enjoyable.
andrea_lachance's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Good but not great.
Loved listening to Pollan’s voice, it made the audiobook feel very conversational.
I don’t feel like a retained a lot of the new information, but that’s on me. Will need to re-read as a book. Can’t wait to read more from Pollan
Loved listening to Pollan’s voice, it made the audiobook feel very conversational.
I don’t feel like a retained a lot of the new information, but that’s on me. Will need to re-read as a book. Can’t wait to read more from Pollan
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use