Human History on Drugs: An Utterly Scandalous but Entirely Truthful Look at History Under the Influence

by Sam Kelly

A lively, hilarious, and entirely truthful look at the druggie side of history’s most famous figures, including Shakespeare, Queen Victoria, and the Beatles, from debut author (and viral historical TikToker with nearly 100K followers) Sam Kelly

Did you know that Alexander the Great was a sloppy drunk, William Shakespeare was a stoner, and George Washington drank a spoonful of opium every night to staunch the pain from his fake teeth? Or how about the fact that China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, ingested liquid mercury in an (ironic) attempt to live forever, or that Alexander Shulgin, inventor of no less than 230 new psychedelic drugs, was an employee of the DEA? 

In Human History on Drugs, historian Sam Kelly introduces us to the history we weren’t taught in school, offering up irreverent and hysterical commentary as he sheds light on some truly shocking aspects of the historical characters we only thought we knew. With chapters spanning from Ancient Greece (“The Oracle of Delphi Was Huffing Fumes”) and the Victorian Era (“Vincent van Gogh Ate Yellow Paint”) to Hollywood’s Golden Age (“Judy Garland Was Drugged by Grown-Ups”) and modern times (“Carl Sagan Got Astronomically High”), Kelly's research spans all manner of eras, places, and, of course, drugs. 

History is rife with drug use and drug users, and Human History on Drugs takes us through those highs (pun intended) and lows on a wittily entertaining ride that uncovers their seriously unexpected impact on our past.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Humor, Microhistory, Drugs, Historical

400 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2025

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Human History on Drugs is an entertaining (and, yes, slightly scandalous) look at drug use by historical figures through the ages. Each chapter discusses a different celebrity/ruler/random historically significant person and their pharmaceutical(s) of choice, from The Oracle of Delphi to Friedrich Nietzsche to Steve Jobs. The chapters are short but informative, each giving a bit of history on the person in question and how their drug use affected their work and life in general. Some of the individuals I already knew were drug-enthusiasts (Johnny Cash, Aldous Huxley), some were a surprise (JFK, Richard Nixon), and a couple I'd never heard of before at all (Audie Murphy, Dock Ellis). And, well, basically what I learned is that meth has been around for a lot longer and is much more popular than I'd ever imagined, and also that those of us who were born in the latter half of the the twentieth century (or later) really missed out on the golden age of doctors handing out highly addictive substances like they were Tic Tacs. Figuratively, anyway … I highly doubt that doctors hand out Tic Tacs on the regular.

Don't expect anything particularly deep here – this is a fairly light and fluffy read and I finished it in just under two days (a rarity for me and nonfiction). Each chapter is a quick overview, nothing that gets down into the nitty gritty of the subject's life. The writing, though, is amusing and witty, and I really enjoyed the little nuggets of history sprinkled throughout the book. I found the chapter on Ted Kaczynski (the Unabomber) to be particularly enlightening and had no idea that he had been subjected to the CIA's MK-Ultra's LSD experiments.

This book is also a little sad. So many talented people had their lives ruined by addiction (and in many cases died young because of it). But would they have been as creative and driven had they never touched the illicit substance(s) that caused their downfall? Poor Philip K. Dick, though. Amphetamines might've helped him write, but once you start seeing pink laser beams shooting out of Jesus fish necklaces, you should probably check yourself into rehab, like, pronto.

Overall, this is an entertaining and informative book that probably uses the word “laudanum” more than any other book in recent history. It reads more like a celebrity tell-all than a history textbook, which I imagine will delight some readers and disappoint others. But if you're looking for a light and humorous read about famous drug users throughout history, look no further: Human History on Drugs will get you high on knowledge. (Yeah, yeah, that's a ridiculously cheesy sentence and I totally keep reading it in Ali G's voice, but I needed a drug-related pun and that's the best I can come up with right now, okay?? Booyakasha.)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Plume for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected release date is July 8, 2025.

[Katerina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I finally figured out what bothered me the most about this book and it’s the fact that’s it written like a troll, Reddit thread - this is a TikTok book - it’s unserious and uses a lot of clinical and other types of words but not in a meaningful way. Like how people on social media throw around terms like narcissistic, abuse, trauma, and trigger.

First few chapters were very entertaining and funny. Very short chapters and easy to read.

Then as the book progresses the chapters get less and less convincing. The “evidence” that so and so was on drugs is flimsy and the stories are not really interesting. A lot of times, there are 3-4 paragraphs about drug use and the rest is just other biographical tidbits.

I was still intending to give this book a 3 but the chapter on Kaczynski did it for me.

They clearly wanted to include him to make the book more interesting but there is ZERO evidence that Kaczynski was on drugs and ZERO evidence that the CIA dosed him. The author even says so but then goes on to say but we know the CIA was obsessed with LSD so obviously they gave it to him too… and of course he uses the sensationalist narrative that the CIA accidentally created the Unabomber and goes on to use some basic pop psychology to justify this, even implying he was a psychopath?? Let’s not use clinical diagnoses and labels nilly willy please.

Not saying the experiments did not have an effect but it’s been documented that Kaczynski was a very weird person from the time he was a toddler and there is no way to prove that the experiments made him into the Unabomber - I expected better.

[Sonja Arlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The stories are all fun little snack sized outlines of famous people who at some point or another were high on drugs.

There were a few Non-Americans like Hitler and Queen Elizabeth but the book really should be called American history on Drugs as 90% of the book covers American historical figures.

I found the sections on writers like Phillip D King and Aldous Huxley very entertaining and its given me a whole new perspective on their books.

The chapters on all the unethical LSD testing done by the CIA and MK Ultra on non-consenting participants were also very enlightening and a bit sad. Kaczynski, who ultimately became the famous Unibomber, was essentially tortured for 3 years before he cracked.

The book feels a little like it was written for the Tiktok generation who probably have very little knowledge of any real history, but it was a perfect companion for the end of the year when my brain just refused to be taken seriously.

[Katherine Joa Rauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful exploration and well researched. I loved the central thesis of drugs being tools. The individual stories were told with compassion and empathy, as well as humour. Appreciated that the author took time to explore social disparities and external conditions including trauma and mental health, that led some historical figures to misuse.

[Liv Gudeahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

thanks to this book for entertaining me for a combined 6 hours in my car on the highway

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gud book. Some chapters are a stretch, some are evidently myths according to some evidence, but it was still a cool book 😎

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an avid history fan, I found Human History on Drugs utterly readable, engaging, and unexpectedly fun. Sam Kelly delivers a quirky and offbeat take on history, weaving together fascinating stories of how various substances have shaped human civilization. The book strikes a great balance between being informative and entertaining—I learned plenty along the way without ever feeling bogged down. My only complaint? I wish it had been longer!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Zoë Doëvibezz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally got me through my boring ass grad school papers it’s a great read with great information and funny asf 😌

[Vuong Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Human History of Drugs is a fun and educational read. The author mixes humor, well-researched explanations and fills the book with cool stories about famous people. It makes the book feel light, engaging, and genuinely entertaining. Easy read!

[Corrie Liotta · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fine? It’s very much a bird’s eye overview of the events and histories it chooses to cover; I think I would’ve preferred this as a podcast where each chapter was an hour long, well-researched episode. It’s totally weird because its narration is both super unserious and jokey while also at times covering some pretty heavy information. It often reads like a sophomore in college’s English essay. Also, weirdly, the way the author has infused his own opinion into each essay is SO weirdly reminiscent of like, the Bob Jones University textbooks I grew up having to read from?? Like, I don’t even disagree with most of his conclusions, but even so, it’s off-putting when someone says “here’s the history, but let me make sure you know how you ought to feel about this person!”

Idk! I thought it was gonna be more fun and sometimes it had interesting snippets, but for the most part I am unsatisfied!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the free kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

I absolutely love this book. It does not glorify drug use in any way, merely just shows examples of how drug use influenced history. Like all of the drugs that John F. Kennedy was on. He was in constant pain and had Addison's disease and became addicted to pain medication, not to mention all the recreational drugs he took. Then there is MK-Ultra and the Unabomber . . .

The book explores 40 different stories, with some things I knew and forgot, but even more that I had never heard before.

Definitely would recommend!

[Kalyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ran the Sydney Marathon yesterday and listened to this from start to finish in one go.
The book is just excellent. The author does a fantastic job of pulling everything together and sharing his perspective on drugs in a way that feels balanced and fact-driven, without ever sounding preachy.

What I really loved is how tight and engaging it is, no unnecessary fluff, just a smooth, well paced listen that keeps you hooked from start to end.

Full marks from me. Highly recommend it.

[Shannon Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy, fun read that will give you lots of talking points next time you’re out with a group of people. Interesting facts the history books don’t tell you. Each chapter is no more than 5 pages and will have you learning unique things you would not hear anywhere else. I have been telling everyone about this book. I can’t say enough great things!

[alissa:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 ⭐️This was so much fun! I did feel like some of the historical evidence used to back some of his claims was flimsy, but I did enjoy reading it.

[Zach Fogarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun. Shows how useful, albeit potentially destructive, drugs have been throughout history. Part 1 of this was by far my favorite. Learning about the history of drug use in ancient times.

[Alex Molik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, but felt like a collection of buzzfeed articles.

[Marie Fairchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

History books have never been my go-to reading material because much of it was about boring events that had no relevance to me or anyone around me. However, this book was anything but boring. Going beyond the obvious subject matter, this book also made a point about what gets lost when certain parts of history are whitewashed or deliberately omitted in order to erase the flaws of certain historical figures and paint them in a better light.

Going into this book, I had no idea that William Shakespeare liked pot. Nor did I have any idea that the Church of England tried so hard to cover it up because there was no way a legendary playwright could have used cannabis, right? The chapters on the ancient world were incredibly interesting because they debunked so many myths and explained so many inconsistencies with history. The chapters on Sagan, Shakespeare, and Jobs were by far my favorites, though.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fascinating read! Love that it went through so many individuals’ histories and gave context for all of them. It seemed well-researched and had a lot of humor in it so the text wasn’t so dry. Also showed the pros and cons of drugs, that there are benefits and that’s why they were created- not just the propaganda that they ruin lives.

[Audrey Cloft · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read! Easy to pick up and put down, and I learned a lot of fun facts! Got a little repetitive but that might be good for someone who’s not reading it all as quickly as I did. Overall, this was just fun. I giggled, I gasped, I told my parents scandalous stories, it was fun.

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short fascinating chapters.

[Craigtator · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Ramesses to Timothy Leary, here are the highs and lows of world drug history. Oh yeah, Queen Victoria was basically Pablo Escobar in black crepe.

[Maher Razouk · Rating 5 out of 5]

هل سمعتَ عن عرافة دلفي؟ تلك العرافة العليمّة بالمستقبل التي استعانت بحكمة الآلهة ونصحت ملوك اليونان في أهم قراراتهم؟ حسنا لقد كانت تحت تأثير المخدرات.

عندما كان على اليونانيين القدماء اتخاذ قرارات مهمة، كانوا يطلبون المشورة من الآلهة، فكانوا يسافرون إلى عرافة دلفي. كانت الرحلةً شاقة. فموقع العرافة يقع على بُعد مئة ميل من أثينا، على جبلٍ شاهق تحيط به منحدراتٌ وعرّة. كان الوصول إليها يتطلب إما رحلةً طويلةً فوق قمم الجبال أو رحلةً بحريةً محفوفةً بالمخاطر. في كلتا الحالتين، كانت الرحلة تستغرق أيامًا، أو حتى أسابيع.

كانت العرّافة امرأة - وهو أمر صادم بالنظر إلى أن اليونان القديمة كانت مجتمعًا أبويًا للغاية، حيث لم يكن يُسمح للفتيات بالذهاب إلى المدرسة، وكنّ يُزوَّجن عادةً عند بلوغهن سن الرابعة عشرة. ومع ذلك، عندما احتاج الرجال الذين حكموا اليونان القديمة إلى نصيحة في أهم أمور دولتهم، كانوا يلتمسون مشورة امرأة - وليست المرأة نفسها في كل مرة. كانت عرّافة دلفي مؤسسة دامت أكثر من ألف عام، من عام 1400 إلى عام 400 قبل الميلاد، لذا، من الواضح، لم تكن هناك امرأة واحدة موجودة طوال ذلك الوقت. كانت هناك كاهنة عليا تُعرف باسم بيثيا، وعلى مر السنين، عندما تُتوفى إحدى البيثيا، كان الآلهة يختارون امرأة أخرى لتصبح بيثيا الجديدة.

ولكن هنا تكمن المفاجأة: جميع هؤلاء النساء كنّ يتعاطين المخدرات. لم يكن خيارًا فرديًا؛ بل كان ضرورة جغرافية. عليك أن تفهم قليلاً عن تضاريس دلفي: كان الباحثون عن حكمة العرافة يصطفون عند الفجر ويصعدون طريقًا شديد الانحدار ومتعرجًا يُعرف باسم "الطريق المقدس". ومن هناك، كان الخدم يرشدونهم، واحدًا تلو الآخر، إلى حجرة غائرة مخفية في أعماق كهف ناءٍ، حيث تنتظرهم بيثيا. ووفقًا لعلماء قدماء شهدوا نبوءة بيثيا، كان هناك كرسي ثلاثي الأرجل يقع مباشرة فوق شق في أرضية الكهف، وكانت أبخرة غريبة تتصاعد منه. كانت بيثيا تجلس على الكرسي ثلاثي الأرجل، وتستنشق الأبخرة الغامضة المتصاعدة من الأرض، وتدخل في غيبوبة أشبه بالحلم. كان جسدها يرتجف ويتلوى (مما "يؤكد" دخولها في حالة من المس الإلهي)، وكان صوتها يتغير، وتصدر مجموعة من الأصوات الغريبة، ثم أخيرًا، كانت تُلقي نبوءة غامضة وغالبًا ما تكون بضع كلمات فقط.

إذا بدا لك هذا الوصف بأن العرافة هي شخص يعاني من إدمانٍ شديد، فأنت محقٌّ تمامًا. إذ اتضح أن تلك الأبخرة الغامضة التي كانت تستنشقها لم تكن مجرد ديكورٍ مُخيف؛ بل كانت أبخرةً مُؤثرةً نفسيًا. لطالما شكّ المؤرخون في أن العرّافة كانت في حالةٍ من النشوة، وقد أثبت العلم الحديث ذلك. سافر فريقٌ من العلماء، يضمّ جيولوجيًا وعالم آثار وكيميائيًا، إلى دلفي بين عامي ١٩٩٥ و٢٠٠٠ لدراسة عيناتٍ صخريةٍ قريبةٍ من الموقع. واكتشفوا أن حجرة العرّافة بُنيت فوق صدعٍ جيولوجيٍّ يُطلق مادةً طبيعيةً تُسمى الإيثيلين. وهو غازٌ بتروكيماويٌّ حلو الرائحة يُنتج نشوةً مُفرطةً، وحالةً ذهنيةً مُتغيرةً، وتأثيراتٍ مُسكِرةٍ أخرى - أو كما وصفوه، الشعورَ الذي تشعر به عند استنشاق الغراء. باختصار، كانت عرّافة دلفي تعيش النشوة. لكن انتظر، الوضع يزداد سوءًا: لم تكن هذه الأبخرة المؤثرة نفسيًا هي الشيء الوحيد الذي تعاطته. تذكر أن معبدها كان يقع على سفح جبل ناءٍ. هذا يعني أنها اضطرت للعيش على نطاق محدود من الأطعمة التي يمكن الحصول عليها محليًا. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، كانت زاهدة متدينة لم تشعر أنه من المناسب لها أن تستمتع بطعامها، لذلك كانت على استعداد لتناول أشياء غير شهية أو حتى خطيرة في بعض الأحيان. كان أحد العناصر الأساسية في نظامها الغذائي أوراق الدفلى، التي كانت تنمو بالقرب من المعبد - وهي شديدة السمية. لقد سمعتني جيدًا: كانت العرافة تمضغ السم.

لحسن الحظ، فإن جسم الإنسان مذهل بحيث يمكنه بناء مناعة ضد المواد السامة عن طريق تناول كميات صغيرة منها بانتظام. إنه نفس المبدأ الأساسي للتطعيمات - حقن كمية صغيرة من فايروس ما في جسمك لتدريب جهازك المناعي على التعرف عليه ومكافحته. نشرت مطبعة جامعة جونز هوبكنز في عام 2014 مقالاً يشير إلى أن أوراكل دلفي تناولت سم الدفلى عمداً كوسيلة للمساعدة في الحصول على الإلهام الإلهي الذي تجسد في نبوءاتها الغريبة.
.
Sam Kelly
Human History on Drugs
Translated By #Maher_Razouk

[Christina Jolley · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Utterly captivating — history like you've never read it before.

I'll be honest: history has never been my thing. I usually find it dry, dense, and hard to stay engaged with. But Human History on Drugs by Sam Kelly completely shattered that expectation. I read this book in under a day — I could not put it down.

Kelly’s writing style is nothing short of brilliant. He has this rare ability to take complex historical narratives and infuse them with clarity, humor, and insight. What could have easily been a heavy or niche topic instead felt fresh, human, and wildly engaging. He connects the dots between substance use and societal evolution in a way that is both eye-opening and deeply thought-provoking.

This book didn’t just teach me something — it made me care. And for someone who usually avoids history books, that’s saying a lot. I’m honestly blown away by how much I enjoyed it, and I sincerely hope this isn’t the last we hear from Sam Kelly. I’ll be first in line to read whatever he writes next.

Highly recommended — even (and especially) for those who think history isn’t for them.

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author said that they wanted to write an interesting history book, goal achieved! Each chapter/story wasn't too long and got to the point without being too light on facts. Not a boring read at all and a bit of comedy too!

I was really let down by the last chapter. Part of it was because Jobs was an icky person but I tried to set my personal feelings about him aside. Jobs did LSD 10-15 times over a few years, pretty tame compared to all of the other chapters/stories, I almost dropped a star because of this, ended on a low note for me.

Nice light, fun and intersting read!

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for an honest review.

[kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up to 5 ⭐️

This book was so fun and engaging. I subscribe to the idea that history should be taught in the form of hot gossip, because we'd all be better at retaining it then. Sam Kelly delivered the hot goss. It could've even been longer. I was captivated.

**I received my copy from Netgalley.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Penquin Group Dutton for an advance copy of this book that profiles famous people throughout history not by achievements, not by their good acts, nor their infamy, but how pharmaceuticals, natural, lab made, or distilled effected their lives and in turn affected the world.

As I person who deals books for his trade I met a lot of odd customers. The ones who don't read books and want to make sure that others don't also. The bestseller lovers who want what the others cool cats are reading, and don't show them anything but. The cooler than cool, with their small press lists, and authors familiar to people in writing schools, but no one else. And a lot of people with biases. One of these is against books that could be considered pop history. I do get asked a lot about the references of certain authors, what makes them an expert in this, or that. Or why the book covers so many different parts, not focused on one theme. I am a big fan of history, and now that most schools have taken the fun, the interest and frankly the facts out of history. Especially if the textbooks are made in Texas. I learned a lot about Washington and not telling a lie, but never about where his teeth came from. Spoiler, slaves. History can be a dull reciting of facts, but behind the facts there are stories, and these are always different than what we are told is the truth. I have probably learned more about the world from books that are considered Pop History, than in any textbook, especially again from Texas. This book while coached in the cool aspect of everyone gets high, teaches much about the world, looks at what we are told and goes, nope there is more. Much more. And once one starts reading it is very hard to put down. Human History on Drugs: An Utterly Scandalous but Entirely Truthful Look at History Under the Influence by TikTok'er Sam Kelly is a look at people we thought we knew, and the addictions that drove them, ruined them, killed them, and in many ways made them look at the world with new eyes and go, hmm.

The book begins with a fun essay by Kelly discussing his love of history. Taking home the teacher's copy of the textbook just so he could read ahead, and enjoy the footnotes. Kelly discuses about becoming a teacher, and realizing that was not his thing, but being on social media seemed to be. The book deals with drugs, from natural, to synthetic, legal, illegal and in the case of one person, constantly being created, tested and banned. The book is broken into different subjects, Modern Mystics, Showbiz, Wartime, Ancient times and more. Forty chapters follow starting with the ancient Oracle at Delphi and the weird gas and that gave her visions to Steve Jobs and his love for LSD and putting his feet in toilets. The chapters give a history of the person, what they are known for, their addiction and how things might have changed for the better or for the worse. Washington and opium, which seems to be a big thing. Carl Sagan and marijuana, which was new to me. Queen Victoria being the biggest drug cartel leader in history, with her own love of opium. And many more.

The book is very well written, funny and very informative. Many might pick it up for the subject matter, oh they get high like me, and will maybe learn something. That's always the goal. Kelly writes in a nice style, talking about the drug of choice the person might like, the times they found themselves in, and the good and bad. Hitler being a meth head, Van Gogh addicted to drinking paint. The history is very well presented, and makes one understand the world better in many ways. Again history is more than facts. Some might be insulted that their idols, country's heroes and such are treated like addicts. I love the fact that these people are treated as what they are, human. Prone to greatness, but also prone to making mistakes, and thinking that they can handle things.

I really enjoyed this book and love that I learned a few things. A good Father's Day gift, or a late Mother's Day Gift, blame the drugs. Funny, interesting and gives a different view of the world, one that might speak to a lot of people.

[Joanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Human History on Drugs" promises an expansive and captivating journey through the myriad ways psychoactive substances have shaped human civilization. And for the most part, it delivers on the "expansive" part, sweeping across millennia and continents with impressive breadth. From ancient shamanic rituals to the modern pharmaceutical industry, the sheer volume of information presented is commendable. You'll certainly walk away with a greater appreciation for the pervasive, and often surprising, role drugs have played in everything from religious practices and artistic expression to warfare and economic development.

The individual anecdotes and historical snippets are often fascinating, offering glimpses into forgotten cultures and unexpected influences. The exploration of how different societies perceived and utilized various substances – some sacred, some recreational, some medicinal – is particularly enlightening. It effectively debunks the simplistic notion of "drugs are bad," instead painting a nuanced picture of their complex and often contradictory impacts.

However, where "Human History on Drugs" stumbles is in its depth and overall cohesion. With such a vast subject, it often feels more like a collection of intriguing essays than a fully integrated narrative. While individual chapters or sections might be compelling, the transitions can be jarring, and a clear overarching thesis sometimes gets lost in the sheer volume of information. Key arguments often feel underdeveloped, leaving the reader wanting more detailed analysis and less rapid-fire historical cataloging. The impact of certain substances, while mentioned, isn't always fully explored in terms of its long-term societal consequences, and the ethical implications are sometimes touched upon but rarely deeply interrogated.

Ultimately, "Human History on Drugs" is a stimulating but somewhat uneven experience. It's a great starting point for anyone curious about this often-overlooked aspect of human development, providing a broad overview and plenty of food for thought. But for those seeking a truly rigorous and deeply analytical exploration, it might leave you feeling a little underwhelmed, as if you've only scratched the surface of a much richer and more complex story. It's a decent trip, but don't expect a profound epiphany.

[Chomiczkowe.recenzje · Rating 5 out of 5]

Q: Macie jakieś swoje uzależnienia?

Współpraca recenzencka z @insignis_media

Dziś kolejna recenzja (spodziewajcie się ich sporo w najbliższych dniach) i znów będzie to książka popularnonaukowa, tym razem można powiedzieć, że głównie historyczna.

"Historia ludzkości na haju" to książka intrygująca i zdecydowanie z nietypowym podejściem do czasów minionych. Jako że jestem fanem historii i lubię wyszukiwać różne ciekawostki historyczne, a do tego właśnie od jakiegoś czasu mam znów fazę na tę dziedzinę nauki, to miałem spore oczekiwania co do tej książki. Liczyłem, że będę dobrze się przy niej bawił, ale i że dowiem się czegoś nowego. No i tytuł zdecydowanie spełnił moje oczekiwania, w sumie w każdym z tych aspektów. Niech najlepszym podsumowaniem i recenzją tej książki będzie to, że pierwszego dnia przeczytałem 270 stron i książkę odłożyłem tylko dlatego, że zegar wybił drugą w nocy, więc wypadało się położyć. Inaczej przeczytałbym ją w jeden dzień na raz. Tę książkę się po prostu pochłania, ani razu nie czułem najmniejszego nawet znużenia.

A muszę się przyznać, że gdy sięgnąłem po książkę i przeczytałem sobie spis treści to miałem trochę obaw, które wynikały z tego, że w zasadzie pół książki to historia odleglejsza, natomiast druga część to już w zasadzie czasy nowsze, czyli XIX i XX wiek, a jednak liczyłem głównie na te czasy starsze. Ale ku mojemu zdziwieniu to właśnie ta druga część była dla mnie ciekawsza, ponieważ obfitowała w więcej szczegółów, a do tego to właśnie w tamtych latach pojawił się wysyp nowych środków, o których mowa w tym tytule.

Ostatnio polecałem Wam fizyczną książkę popularnonaukową. Ten tytuł mogę Wam polecić pięć, a nawet dziesięć razy goręcej.

[Zoe Ngan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores how famous icons like Shakespeare and Judy Garland got high, and how drugs unexpectedly shaped the world we know today.

One thing I thought was disturbing was the CIA’s experiments with drugs. It’s one thing to see artists turning to drugs for productivity or inspiration, but another to learn that a government agency deliberately experimented on its own citizens without their consent or knowledge.

The book’s exploration of MK-Ultra is a sobering reminder that the pursuit of control & power can lead institutions to abandon the principles they claim to uphold. U.S. foreign policy often presents itself as a protector of freedom and democracy, but here we see the same institutions treating their own citizens as disposable test subjects.

This darker layer complicates any simplistic view of history or patriotism. It really makes you think, that if those in power are willing to violate the rights of the people they’re supposed to serve, then what does that say about the integrity of the system itself? The book doesn’t offer any answers, but by presenting these facts without sensationalism, it invites critical reflection. It did for me, at least.

Kelly’s objective throughout the book is also to present drug use without judgement. This is fair, but a theme begins to emerge: drugs weren’t just recreational or destructive, but often tools for productivity, creativity, and endurance. Whether intentional or not, the book begins to suggest that some of the world’s most celebrated contributions wouldn’t have existed without chemical enhancement.

That implication made me feel a little uncomfortable, and it took me a while to figure out why. Ultimately, I think there’s a fine line between stating historical fact & inadvertently glamorising drug use and the book sometimes veers too close to the latter. It definitely highlights some difficult questions about genius, morality, and the costs of greatness that I’m still thinking about.

[Jason Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Kelly's 'Human History on Drugs' offers a fun ride through time, exploring how mind-altering substances have shaped our past in unexpected ways.

Covering 40 historic figures from the Oracle of Delphi to Steve Jobs, there is a lot of ground covered. Each chapter is a quick read of just a few pages along with a fun illustration. It took me a few chapters to get into it though as there was the occasional line that was a bit more frat-bro than academic. For example:
• “Ramses the Baked”—the pharaoh who loved weed so much
• They were like, “Screw it, who do I have to kill?”
• trust me, dude—you’re not going to be able to accomplish much while you’re tripping balls.

That said, once I realized what I was in for, I enjoyed it. The pop culture references and casual tone made it a fun read and I learned some fun new history facts. While it may seem that this book would glorify drug use, Kelly did a good job of showing the damage they did to many while still showing the benefits for some and not demonizing them as a whole.

Chapters I particularly enjoyed included:
• Marcus Aurelius’s Sleepy-Time Medicine
• Bill W. Took LSD to See God
• The Pope Who Loved Cocaine Wine
• Dock Ellis Pitched a No-Hitter While Tripping on Acid (check out the song “Dock Ellis’ No-No” for the short version of this one)

Definitely recommend this for history buffs who are looking for a different take. Or even those that are not as into history but are looking for a fun read about famous folks from years gone by.

Thanks to author Sam Kelly and the publisher Plume for an advanced copy.