In writing this exhaustively researched history...Booth brings us that much closer to understanding-and thereby conquering-the most tenacious of human conditions.” —Amazon.com
“The book's wealth of detail is remarkable.” —The Economist
“Opium is of great value for its thoroughness, and it is briskly written...Each chapter [is] a ball of opium with an explosive charge.” —The Boston Globe
“Booth takes us from P. somniferum to 'black gold', compellingly documenting the influential role of the opiate trade throughout history.” —Publishers Weekly
“From the subtleties of Chinese history to the complexities of GoldenTriangle narco-nationalism, ...Booth shows us a sure grasp of his material and manages to pull the innumberable and far-flung threads...neatly together.” —Kirkus Reviews
