High Price

A Neuroscientist's Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society

By: Carl Hart

Narrated by: J.D. Jackson

Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

A pioneering neuroscientist shares his story of growing up in one of Miami's toughest neighborhoods and how it led him to his groundbreaking work in drug addiction.

As a youth, Carl Hart didn't realize the value of school; he studied just enough to stay on the basketball team. At the same time, he was immersed in street life. Today he is a cutting-edge neuroscientist - Columbia University's first tenured African American professor in the sciences - whose landmark, controversial research is redefining our understanding of addiction.

In this provocative and eye-opening memoir, he recalls his journey of self-discovery and weaves his past and present. Hart goes beyond the hype of the antidrug movement as he examines the relationship among drugs, pleasure, choice, and motivation, both in the brain and in society. His findings shed new light on common ideas about race, poverty, and drugs, and explain why current policies are failing.

Though Hart escaped neighborhoods that were dominated by entrenched poverty and the knot of problems associated with it, he has not turned his back on his roots. Determined to make a difference, he tirelessly applies his scientific research to help save real lives. But balancing his former street life with his achievements today has not been easy - a struggle he reflects on publicly for the first time.

A powerful story of hope and change, of a scientist who has dedicated his life to helping others, High Price will alter the way we think about poverty, race, and addiction - and how we can effect change.

©2013 Carl Hart and Maia Szalavitz (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Wow

Enjoyable and captivating throughout. The manner in which Dr Hart is able to relate his own personal experience to well thought out conclusions is impressive. I had heard Dr Hart previously speak on podcasts and he sparked an interest. It was great to hear about his life and see his own struggle to free his mind of predisposed opinions due to his upbringing. This really should be read/contemplated by all!

Drugs Aren't the Problem

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Would recommend this to most of North America... the idea that drugs are the cause of social woes like crime and poverty isn't just wrong, it's dangerously misleading. If we've misdiagnosed crime as caused by drugs, then we're not going to have much success dealing with either.

What did you like best about this story?

The authors candor about his history of crime and violence amidst his culture of honor.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the author was invited to a panel on crystal meth abuse. When asked what he knew about the drug, he pointed out that meth was just an illegal form of the FDA approved Adderal, and its effects and safety was well studied. He was then drowned out by hysterical prosecutors and lawmen with their horror stories of how meth drove parents to decapitate their children. This is how laws are made... scary stuff

Enlightening

I had to read this for a college class and was delighted to see it was available on audible. I was able to finish the book before class started giving me a head start.
The narrator did a great job and the content was extremely enlightening. I wish everyone would read this.

GREAT story!!!

Where does High Price rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

High

What was one of the most memorable moments of High Price?

Dr Hart's research.

Have you listened to any of J. D. Jackson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was focused most on the research.

Any additional comments?

I thank Dr Hart for telling the truth.

Everyone needs to read this

I truly believed Dr Carl Hart has changed my life forever with the knowledge and strive for education.

Fascinating

I enjoyed how Dr. Hart wove the personal aspects of his life into his professional growth. I enjoyed reading how his outlook evolved as he became more informed. I believe the common sense approach he takes to understanding the effects of drugs along with all the factors that accompany it needs to be adopted by a wider audience.

POV of an SUD counselor

As a substance use counselor, and a college professor in a addiction counseling program I wholly subscribe to Dr. Harts work and perspective. His voice her in a narrative format makes his dissertation palatable people just beginning to understand the truth of addiction in society. As a Chicana person living in the white majority of the United States I also feel like the voice that is needed to be heard in the SUD field is being projected higher than I’ve seen in my journey into my career.

Best book on REAL drug research

This book exceeded my expectations beyond anything I could've imagined. He breaks down and explains every minute detail of his scientific findings into Very understandable terms. This is my new "Bible" I'll be handing out for birthdays and holidays.
I always think of this book when I see a professional athlete apologizing for ingesting a drug and for the fact that they're an addict. He explains how most users aren't addicts or addicted at all.
My minuscule review does this fantastic book no justice. It's a must buy in hardcover and audiobook. I suggest buying a hardcover copy for yourself and pass out some paperbacks to your friends, or just put them in random mailboxes. This book should be part of High School Curriculum. Thank you Dr. Hart for your heart felt & sincere attempt to get the REAL facts about the affects that drugs have on our brains.

authentic and educational

the author was very authentic in describing his life, from growing up in adverse circumstances, to using education as a tool to escape his adverse childhood, to become a neuroscientist with as PhD. he helps the reader understand the bias regarding drug policy and how this bias negatively impacts the black community.
the narrator of the book did an excellent job, had the proper cadence and inflection to represent the author to tell this compelling story..

Must read/listen for anyone concerned with equalli

Very well thought out and presented book on the fallacies and misrepresentations about addiction, biased scientific reporting and the war on drugs. Dr. Carl Hart is a pioneer in his field.