Opium

The story of opium is a long one, and narrator Peter Ganim tells it in a deep, clear voice that will keep listeners as enthralled as if this history were a novel. It starts with archaeological finds that confirm that opium has been around since antiquity. From there, listeners tour ancient Egypt, ride with Marco Polo, and follow the money through the English and Portuguese colonial empires to the modern world. Ganim captures the authors' sarcastic wit as he narrates examples of reformers' "fire and brimstone" attitudes and shows the historical cycles of "the war on drugs." Authors Halpern and Blistein say there are no easy answers, and their detailed overview fascinates as they build their case. J.A.S. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine