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A review by asterope
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe
challenging
emotional
informative
5.0
Another excellent narrative nonfiction from this author that everyone should read. It's hard to put into words what reading this was like, since the subject matter was so intense. The Sacklers are truly one of the most evil families in history. I had no idea about their leading contribution to the opioid crisis until I read the blurb of this book last month. And I've been to few of the institutions that previously had their seemingly illustrious name emblazoned on their walls, and seen Arthur Sackler's Asian art collection in person. It's sickening.
But speaking about the writing itself, the author once again knocks it out of the park for me. The detail and skill with which he covers the history of this family and their actions is just breath-taking. And not just the family, but the opioid crisis and how Arthur pioneered medical advertising. It explains a lot about the American pharma industry that I was previously confused about. I'll read anything else he writes in the future as well.
But speaking about the writing itself, the author once again knocks it out of the park for me. The detail and skill with which he covers the history of this family and their actions is just breath-taking. And not just the family, but the opioid crisis and how Arthur pioneered medical advertising. It explains a lot about the American pharma industry that I was previously confused about. I'll read anything else he writes in the future as well.