{"product_id":"the-pursuit-of-oblivion-a-global-history-of-narcotics-9780393325454","title":"The Pursuit of Oblivion: A Global History of Narcotics","description":"Spanning five centuries and several continents in a sweeping portrait of addiction, \u003cem\u003eThe Pursuit of Oblivion\u003c\/em\u003e traces the history of the use and abuse of narcotics, revealing their subtle transformation from untested medicines to sources of idle pleasure and, relatively recently, to illegal substances. Richard Davenport-Hines, an eminent, prize-winning historian, uncovers the centrality of drug abuse in our modern industrial society, from the drug habits of Charles Dickens and John F. Kennedy to today's $400 billion annual worldwide trade in illicit drugs (the same volume as the oil industry). A vivid portrayal of the people and events that have shaped the history of narcotics, \u003cem\u003eThe Pursuit of Oblivion\u003c\/em\u003e reveals that, contrary to the assumption underlying current drug policies, our need to escape reality and our body's need for physical pleasure are both ineradicable aspects of our humanity, unchangeable by government initiative.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDavenport-Hines, Richard:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cstrong\u003eRichard Davenport-Hines\u003c\/strong\u003e is the recipient of the Wolfson Prize for History and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He writes for the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times, TLS, Sunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Independent\u003c\/i\u003e. He lives in London.","brand":"W. W. Norton \u0026 Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50410963108114,"sku":"9780393325454","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_ddaaf4ec-1979-48f1-8695-8f30d3c3b54a.jpg?v=1729309559","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-pursuit-of-oblivion-a-global-history-of-narcotics-9780393325454","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}