Cocaine An Unauthorized Biography [Paperback]

The story of cocaine isn't just about crime and profit; it's about psychoanalysis, about empire building, about exploitation, emancipation, and, ultimately, about power. To tell the story of the twentieth century without reference to this drug and its contribution is to miss a vital and fascinating strand of social history. Streatfeild examines the story of cocaine from its first medical uses to the worldwide chaos it causes today. His research takes him from the arcane reaches of the British Library to the isolation cells of America's most secure prisons; from the crackhouses of New York to the jungles of Bolivia and Colombia.

[Streatfeild] is an excellent storyteller....This book is a great read. The Seattle Times

[Streatfeild's] smartly woven narrative winningly expands the narcotic's r?sum? beyond overdose horror stories. GQ

A thrilling ride through exotic territory...Streatfeild's animated writing style...makes for an exciting read. Time Out New York

A breezy history...often arresting, sometimes sobering. The Washington Post

That [Streatfeild] succeeds in delivering this large order is amazing enough, but that he does so with such style and good humor is miraculous. BookPage

A fascinating and richly detailed story...Streatfeild delivers a straight tale about a world where nothing is as it seems. Publishers Weekly

Dominic Streatfeildis a documentary film producer and writer. He lives in London, England