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

Description: A lively, hilarious, and entirely truthful look at the druggie side of history's most famous figures, including Shakespeare, George Washington, the Beatles, and more

Did you know that Alexander the Great was a sloppy drunk and William Shakespeare was a stoner? Or how about the fact that Steve Jobs believed taking LSD helped him create the Apple computer, or that Sigmund Freud loved cocaine so much he took it all the time and prescribed it to his patients?

In Human History on Drugs, Sam Kelly introduces us to the history our teachers never told us, offering up irreverent and insightful commentary as he sheds light on some truly bizarre aspects of the historical characters we only thought we knew. With chapters spanning from Ancient Greece ("The Oracle of Delphi Was Huffing Fumes") to modern times ("Carl Sagan Got Astronomically High"), Kelly's research covers 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 witty and entertaining ride that uncovers their mind-boggling impact on our past.

Review Quotes: "Sam Kelly makes a promise to readers that he doesn't glorify the use of drugs or alcohol here, a promise he's kept inside "Human History on Drugs." Instead, he's honest about how such substances have affected history. He's fun, flippant, and playful about it, and he invites readers to engage in that pure lack of stuffiness.... Readers will be sympathetic while enjoying some of the stories here, astounded at others, and gleeful at the ones that are humorously, wonderfully outrageous." --Bookworm Sez

"The book covers 40 historical figures and their penchant for getting stoned, high and hammered." --New York Post

"A nonstop, eye-popping panorama... Besides serving up a multitude of entertaining stories, Kelly provides genuine food for thought about the medical and spiritual applications of psychedelics. Brimming with enthusiasm for history's nooks and crannies, this charms." --Publishers Weekly

"Human History on Drugs brings famous historical figures and eras to life in a way we've never seen them before. You'll never look at history the same way again." --Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author