Reviews

Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe

stephaniesteen73's review against another edition

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5.0

You certainly don't need to resort to watching HBO's Succession to see a portrait of an insanely wealthy, amoral family that uses their privilege and position to squirrel out of accountability for their heinous deeds. Incredibly well researched and written, this narrative nonfiction read like a compelling fictional story except for the very end (where no amount of good writing can spice up the tedium of lawsuits).

cupricsulphate's review

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dark informative reflective tense medium-paced

4.75

nbritt's review against another edition

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informative slow-paced

3.0

annadigiuseppe's review against another edition

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4.75

Okay so I LOVED this book. It was extremely well written and at times felt like a fiction thriller as you know something evil is about to happen. It’s also really informative and such an interesting look into how one family shaped our society. It did get a little dense for a bit in the middle but started and ended strong. 

lyndfisher's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative medium-paced

4.0

Great read, very well written. Part one is a bit slow but it picked up in part two. The audiobook is very well read. The author does a good job. 

anjalisudarsan's review against another edition

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5.0

Well researched, brilliant investigation that's so detailed about the Sackler family and their involvement in the opioid crisis. Really a story of greed, how one family just wanted to keep making money without giving a care about their customers. Hoarding money and art while millions lost lives. I was hooked

michaelpeng's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

lou_isa's review against another edition

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challenging informative tense slow-paced

4.5

shelbymarie516's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a ride. Drugs, money, greed, and scandal. This had it all! Cannot believe these evil people exist, but yet they do!

eamcmahon3's review against another edition

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5.0

Patrick Radden Keefe does it again. Phenomenal book. An incredible look into the dynasty of the Sackler family. This book is at the intersection of medicine, wealth, philanthropy, power, ethics, and an epidemic. Read it!!!!