Cocaine An Unauthorized Biography

by Streatfeild, Dominic

• ISBN13: 9780312422264
• ISBN10: 0312422261
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-07-01
• Publisher: Picador

Summary

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. Dominic Streatfeild is a documentary film producer and writer. He lives in London. The story of cocaine isn't just about crime. It's about psychoanalysis, about empire building, about exploitation, about emancipation, about money, 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 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 crack houses of New York to the jungles of Bolivia and Columbia. "A sweeping and highly readable investigation."'” The Boston Phoenix "[Streatfeild] is an excellent storyteller . . . This book is a great read."'” The Seattle Times "[Streatfeild's] smartly woven narrative winningly expands the narcotic's résumé 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 sane and sober review of a vast body of accumulated knowledge dislodged from forgotten archives, obscure texts, government records, definitive histories, and human sources with impeccable credentials."'” The Baltimore Sun "Well-presented . . . Brisk and well researched, Cocaine is informed by obscure archives and lost books as well as dynamic first-hand reporting."'” The San Diego Union-Tribune "A fascinating and richly detailed story . . . Streatfeild delivers a straight tale about a world where nothing is as it seems."'” Publishers Weekly

Author Biography

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

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. vii
Introduction	p. ix
Introducing Coca	p. 1
De Jussieu Loses His Marbles	p. 37
From Coca to Coca-ine	p. 55
The Third Scourge of Humanity	p. 66
Craving for, and Fear of, Sigmund Freud	p. 105
Patent Cures, Snake Oils and Sex	p. 117
Blacks, Chinks, Coolies and Brits	p. 138
Down ... But Not Out	p. 174
Comeback	p. 195
George, Carlos and the Cocaine Explosion	p. 211
Pablo, Roberto and the Fiances of Death	p. 245
Crack (Man Bites Dog)	p. 271
Sandinista!	p. 324
The Horsemen of Cocaine	p. 345
Mexico	p. 362
Bolivia	p. 384
Peru	p. 409
Colombia	p. 431
Cocaine	p. 473
Selected Bibliography	p. 501
Index	p. 503
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