The Pursuit of Oblivion - by Richard Davenport-Hines & R P T Davenport-Hines (Paperback)

The Pursuit of Oblivion is a comprehensive history of drugs and their role in society, spanning five centuries and multiple continents.

This standard work on the subject reveals how illicit medicines developed into a huge illegal business, with evidence from the 19th century to today.

The book uncovers the centrality of drug abuse in modern industrial society, including the drug habits of notable figures like Charles Dickens and John F.

Kennedy.

Despite current drug policies, our need to escape reality and body's need for physical pleasure are ineradicable aspects of humanity.

This well-researched and engaging book provides a vivid portrayal of people and events that have shaped the history of narcotics, making it an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the complex issue of drug addiction.