Book description
A Delightfully Uncensored Journey Through History's Hidden Highs
Sam Kelly's Human History on Drugs is the kind of book that turns a routine history lesson into a rollicking adventure. With the same playful curiosity that made The Diary of a Young Girl a staple in classrooms, Kelly dives head-first into the lesser-known drug habits of some of our most revered figures-Shakespeare's "stoner" days, Alexander the Great's drunken escapades, and even Steve Jobs' LSD-induced epiphanies.
What sets this volume apart is its blend of rigorous research and irreverent humor. Each chapter feels like a backstage pass: from ancient Greece's "The Oracle of Delphi Was Huffing Fumes" to modern times with Carl Sagan's "Astronomically High," Kelly unpacks the ways substances shaped decision-making, creativity, and politics across millennia. He never shies away from the darker side-Freud's cocaine prescriptions or the tragic downfalls of notorious drug users-but always balances it with a light touch that keeps the narrative engaging.
The book's pacing is impeccable; each anecdote flows seamlessly into the next, creating a mosaic that is as informative as it is entertaining. Kelly's prose is clear and approachable, making complex historical contexts accessible without sacrificing depth. Readers will find themselves laughing at the absurdity of a drunken Alexander while simultaneously appreciating how drug culture has subtly steered history's course.
In short, Human History on Drugs offers a fresh, unapologetic perspective that invites readers to reconsider the stories they thought they knew. It is an essential read for anyone curious about the untold, often hilarious, influence of substances on humanity's greatest moments.
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience