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A review by morgan_blackledge
Drugged: The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs by Richard J. Miller
5.0
We are living in an awesome time of scientific discovery. And the researchers and journalists that are popularizing the findings of science are also achieving something of a golden moment. I think it's safe to say, popular science writing has never been better. Particularly in the domain of neuroscience and related fields.
Drugged is as good of an example of contemporary science writing as I can cite. Before I listened to it (it's available on audable.com) I would have thought no one could possibly make the field of psychopharmacology get up and dance. But that is exactly what the author; Richard J. Miller did, and how!
As I mentioned, I listened to this book, and frankly, I'm quite certain I would not have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed the listen (certainly not always the case, but this time I have to say so). The reader gave a fantastic performance. He has this pompous as hell posh British accent that lends itself perfectly to the task of bringing to life, this rich text, part history, and part chemistry lesson, with the intermittent recitation of some Victorian era letters of correspondence. Think Mr. French meets Gore Vidal......perfect!
The book begins with hallucinogens (aka entheogens) starting with the Soma of mythological lore and winding up with LSD and the1960's new age, hippy culture that accompanied its emergence into popular culture, replete with all the cool chemistry clearly explained. What a treat. The book proceeds to systematically cover each of the broad category of psychotropic drugs in a similar (history/chemistry) fashion.
It's certainly not for everyone. But for me, this book makes learning this already fascinating subject an even bigger blast by bringing it to three dimensional living, breathing life. I could go on and on. But I'll just finish by slamming down my 5 star stamp of gratitude and approval. Cha Cunk!
Drugged is as good of an example of contemporary science writing as I can cite. Before I listened to it (it's available on audable.com) I would have thought no one could possibly make the field of psychopharmacology get up and dance. But that is exactly what the author; Richard J. Miller did, and how!
As I mentioned, I listened to this book, and frankly, I'm quite certain I would not have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed the listen (certainly not always the case, but this time I have to say so). The reader gave a fantastic performance. He has this pompous as hell posh British accent that lends itself perfectly to the task of bringing to life, this rich text, part history, and part chemistry lesson, with the intermittent recitation of some Victorian era letters of correspondence. Think Mr. French meets Gore Vidal......perfect!
The book begins with hallucinogens (aka entheogens) starting with the Soma of mythological lore and winding up with LSD and the1960's new age, hippy culture that accompanied its emergence into popular culture, replete with all the cool chemistry clearly explained. What a treat. The book proceeds to systematically cover each of the broad category of psychotropic drugs in a similar (history/chemistry) fashion.
It's certainly not for everyone. But for me, this book makes learning this already fascinating subject an even bigger blast by bringing it to three dimensional living, breathing life. I could go on and on. But I'll just finish by slamming down my 5 star stamp of gratitude and approval. Cha Cunk!