Opium : the flowers of evil

Description

Opium, once used for ritual purposes, is a substance which dulls pain and offers access to an artificial world, and has long been idealized by artists and markets. Baudelaire, Picasso, and Dickens were all inspired to create by the blue clouds of smoke. Known as either a sacred drug or the worst of poisons, opium rapidly became popular in Great Britain and a source of commerce with Imperial China. This illustrated work presents the history and quasi-religious rites of opium's use.  Read more... Abstract: Opium, once used for ritual purposes, is a substance which dulls pain and offers access to an artificial world, and has long been idealized by artists and markets. Baudelaire, Picasso, and Dickens were all inspired to create by the blue clouds of smoke. Known as either a sacred drug or the worst of poisons, opium rapidly became popular in Great Britain and a source of commerce with Imperial China. This illustrated work presents the history and quasi-religious rites of opium's use Content: Chronology I. Turning On: IntroductionThe Beautiful -- and Dangerous Discovering Opium: Hippocrates Was Hip Follow the Money: The Opium Wars II. Turning On: Ritual and PracticeInhaling or Shooting Up: Poppy Nose Best Opium Dens: Where Everybody KnowsYour Game Highs and Lows: A Hip Gathering III. Dropping Out: Taboos and FantasiesThe Exotic Appeal: From Laudanum to Laurent The Story of O: Cherchez la femme O, Sweet Death: Dying for a Fix IV. Getting Real: Opening Out On RealityThe Poppy Trail: Repeating History The Pen in the Den: The Beat Goes On. Poppy and Popcorn: Finding the O in MovieTraffic Jam: Drugs Were Just the Beginning Index.