The Age of Intoxication

The Age of Intoxication examines drugs, colonialism, and science in the Portuguese and British empires during the seventeenth century. Through archival research and historical analysis, Benjamin Breen tracks how psychoactive substances moved between colonies and European metropoles. The book reveals connections between early modern drug traders, physicians, and naturalists who shaped our understanding of intoxicating substances. Key figures include Portuguese doctors studying native medicines in Brazil, English merchants trafficking opium in Asia, and natural philosophers conducting experiments with New World plants. The narrative follows specific substances - including tobacco, chocolate, and opium - as they transformed from exotic curiosities into global commodities. These case studies demonstrate how colonial expansion created new networks for circulating drugs and medical knowledge. The work connects early modern drug culture to broader questions about science, empire, and cross-cultural exchange. Through its focus on intoxicants, the book offers insights into how knowledge moved between cultures and how colonialism shaped modern attitudes toward drugs.

Readers appreciate the book's exploration of psychoactive drugs in colonial empires and how it connects historical attitudes about intoxicants to modern drug policy. Many note Breen's engaging writing style and use of specific historical examples to illustrate broader themes. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear connections between colonial commerce and drug trades - Detailed archival research and primary sources - Focus on both European and indigenous perspectives - Inclusion of historical illustrations and documents Common criticisms: - Some sections feel rushed or underdeveloped - Limited coverage of certain regions and substances - Academic tone in parts may challenge casual readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (48 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (15 ratings) "A fascinating look at how drugs shaped colonial economies" - Goodreads reviewer "Could have gone deeper into indigenous medicinal practices" - Amazon reviewer "Brings forgotten histories to life through vivid examples" - LibraryThing review

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🌿 Though opium and tobacco are now seen as addictive substances, in the 17th century they were considered legitimate medicines and were often prescribed by doctors alongside herbs and spices. 🔬 Benjamin Breen discovered that many early modern drug experiments were conducted by enslaved people in Brazil and the Caribbean, whose botanical knowledge was exploited by European colonizers. 🌍 Portuguese colonizers created one of history's first global drug trades, connecting markets from Brazil to India to China, while simultaneously establishing some of the earliest anti-drug laws. 👨‍🔬 The book reveals how coffee houses in London and Amsterdam became early "laboratories" where people experimented with new psychoactive substances from around the world. 🏛️ The author is an Associate Professor of History at UC Santa Cruz and used archives from nine countries across four continents to piece together this history of early modern drugs and medicines.