| View Larger Image | Cannabis: A History | Paperbackby Martin Booth (Author)
| List Price: | $16.00 | | Price: | $10.88 | | You Save: | $5.12 (32%) | | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
| | Binding: | Paperback | | Publisher: | Picador | | Page Count: | 448 Pages | | Publication Date: | June 01, 2005 | | Sales Rank: | 317,597th |
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FEATURES | - ISBN13: 9780312424947
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product Description
To some it's the classic "gateway drug," to others it is a harmless way to relax, or provide relief from pain. Some fear it is dangerous and addictive, while others feel it should be decriminalized. Whatever the viewpoint, cannabis incites debate at every level, and the effect it has on every corner of the globe is undeniable.In this comprehensive study, Martin Booth crafts a tale of medical advance and religious enlightenment; of political subterfuge and law enforcement; of cunning smugglers, street pushers, gang warfare, writers, artists, and musicians. And above all, Booth chronicles the fascinating process through which cannabis became outlawed throughout the Western world, and the effect such legislation has had on the global economy. |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 8 reviews)
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Good General History by Cwn_Annwn (Copenhagen, Denmark)  4 Stars
July 29, 2009
There were areas I wish he would have went more in depth with, like how the coffeehouse scene in Holland came into existance and other areas I wasn't as interested in, like hippy pop culture. Also he overemphasizes a lot of things that went on in Britain, which historicly isn't exactly the epicenter for Marijuana activity and culture. The author isn't a stoner, or at least doesn't come off as one, but he seems to be pro-Cannabis at least to the extent of showing the stupidity of the law enforcement witchhunts against what is more or less a harmless "drug". Overall a good general history of Cannabis.
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An Eyeopener.... by Melanie K. Mills (Medford, Oregon)  5 Stars
February 08, 2009
Whether you are pro or anti legalization of marijuana use for adults or for medical use, it matters not. At least make an educated decision. Booth provides a well researched and engaging narrative on the history of cannabis and the foibles of those raging against the dangers of The Devil Weed, including hashish. Included are ancient times and maritime; prohibitions solely based on racism (Chinese, Africans and Mexicans); "lumping" mary jane in with opium, heroin and cocaine as if they all are the same thing, and the fear mongering of politicos and the press, most often with little or no personal experience or scientific fact. Economics of weed and hemp are also discussed. Easy to read and enlightening - a real eye-opener to the long and bumpy history and use of marijuana for medicinal, religious and recreational purposes over the centuries. Highly recommended.
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The Revealing History of a Misunderstood Plant by Scott George Mccombe (UK) 5 Stars
June 25, 2008
There is a certain refreshing relinquishment from all too-common ignorance to be found in Martin Booth's `Cannabis: A History'. Admittedly, Booth does not approach the subject from an `objective' perspective, and nor does he pretend to, in the manner commonly exhibited by blatantly agenda-driven prohibitionists, but is squarely set out to dispel the hysteria and nonsense that surrounds the cannabis plant by regaling its interesting, and often surprising, saga.
That noted, `Cannabis: A History' is no stoner drug tract. Booth's account is detailed and lucid, showing the gradual development of a favoured weed by Sunni mystics, into opium as regarded by colonial Britain, and finally, into a drug which would drive one into a psychotic frenzy of disorder and crime, as inculcated by the ignorant, and politically lazy, leaders of the USA. Drastic grassroot changes may have occurred in the 60's, but as Booth shows, little has changed in terms of political attitudes.
Booth manages, without adopting the justifiable bitterness and impatience of many apologists, to challenge and defeat many of the misconceptions that remain as a remnant of one of humanities oldest forbidden loves.
Being informative and amusing, anyone who is inclined to oppose injustice and misguided fanaticism, or who is merely fascinated by the reaction of various cultures to demonized greenery, would do well to read it.
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sketchy scholarship indeed by Ian J. Cook (newark, NJ)  2 Stars
December 10, 2007
I agree with the previous reviewer-- decent read, but mediocre writing and scholarship. I counted 3 consecutive paragraphs in one chapter that all ended with sentences beginning with "It could be said that..." The whole book seems breezy and rushed and one gets the feeling that the only reason it exists is to capitalize on the success of the author's previous pop-scholarly tome on Opium. It is also riddled with the usual BS one finds in books on drug culture written by academics and outsiders-- outdated slang; silly, unsupported anecdotes and hearsay; constant reminders that the author is "NOT advocating for legalization, but...".
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An invaluable historical resource concerning cannabis. by Anonymous Reviewer (Phoenix AZ USA) 5 Stars
November 12, 2007
Cannabis: a History is an invaluable and concise history of cannabis as a drug, and as a literary and historical entity. The book is very well documented; it's notes form a valuable road map to a wealth of historical material. This is truly a job well done.
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