- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: WW Norton; 2 edition (Sep 30 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0393324931
- ISBN-13: 978-0393324938
- Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 15.5 x 2.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 522 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #422,818 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
"The gap between scientific information and public information about drugs is growing hour by hour," declare the authors of this thorough, popular guide to pharmaceutical and recreational chemicals. The public's misinformation, they say, is only compounded by the fact that most descriptions of drugs' benefits and risks are oversimplified, inaccurate and politicized. Marijuana, for example, is portrayed by some organizations as a wonder drug, and by others as a dangerous contagion. The authors' guide aims to avoid such pitfalls. Divided into a dozen sections-Alcohol, Caffeine, Ecstasy, Hallucinogens, Herbal Drugs, Inhalants, Marijuana, Nicotine, Opiates, Sedatives, Steroids, and Stimulants-the book adopts a straight, neutral tone that reflects its commitment to providing unbiased, scientific fact. As professors at the Duke University Medical Center, Khun, Swartzwelder and Wilson are well-qualified to analyze and synthesize lots of complicated information, and this second edition of the guide has been fully revised to reflect scientists' growing knowledge of how chemicals of all kinds affect our health and development. Best of all, the descriptions are jargon-free, making this book a great choice for anyone looking for clear, reliable information about any kind of drug. 8 pages color illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
There is no talking down or trying to be hip in this guide to recreational drugs. The title is the slangiest thing about it, until the glossary of street language at its end, and a reader needs to feel comfortable with the polysyllabics of pharmacology, though the diction is otherwise common, not technical. The long first part consists of chapters on each of 12 kinds of drug: alcohol, caffeine, enactogens, hallucinogens, herbal drugs, inhalants, marijuana, nicotine, opiates, sedatives, steroids, and stimulants. Each chapter initially lists individual drugs of the kind and their common names and briefly describes the drug's "buzz," immediate hazards (overdose, etc.), and dangerous interactions with other substances; discursive text on the drug's history, effects, and other topics, such as, when pertinent, addiction, fill out the chapter. The book's second part contains chapters on the working of the brain, drugs in general, addiction in general, and legal issues. A sound, thorough, authoritative resource that, though aimed primarily at college students, will be a solid asset in every public library. Ray Olson
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Helped me as an EMT-A,
By J.C. "Medic" (Ontario) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Buzzed 3e (Paperback)
This book serves equally well as a quick reference guide as it does a learning tool. I used this book to refresh my knowledge of street drugs, their affects, and the slang associated with them. This is a good, mostly un-biased read for those in the health care field as well as those just curious.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Book That Breaks Through the Chaff,
By Bruce Gilliz (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Buzzed 2e (Paperback)
As my review title states, this book targets an audience - one that wants to be well informed about drugs that are used and abused in our society. What sets this book apart from so many others (most notably government-issued literature about recreational drugs) is that its language isn't dry, bureaucratic, and unappealing. Instead, the authors have successfully made their points about the uses and abuses of recreational drugs without boring the reader into submission. A book of this nature that is actually entertaining and enlightening to read is a breakthrough! My one qualm with the book was with its lack of relevant informaton on steroids, which are definitely a drug that have been, and will continue to be, highly abused by many people the world over. The chapter on this drug class was brief and should have included more information about steroids from a user's point of view. However, it's worth noting that my library-issued copy was the 1998 version of the book, which has since been updated. So, I have given this book a strong reveiw because, frankly, it deserves it; I was able to read the book cover to cover in about a day and a half without feeling any boredom. As a result I feel better informed and more confident with my knowledge about recreational drugs.
3.0 out of 5 stars
You can buy better,
By TripS (CA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Buzzed (Paperback)
the Psychedelics Encyclopedia is so much better than this book, even though this book covers psychoactive substances other than Psychedelics, I find drug war propoganda in here. But what are they charging like ($) so in that case i suppose you might as well buy this.
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