Shooting Up

A Short History of Drugs and War

By: Lukasz Kamienski

Narrated by: Ricco Fajardo

Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Shooting Up: A Short History of Drugs and War examines how intoxicants have been put to the service of states, empires, and their armies throughout history.

Since the beginning of organized combat, armed forces have prescribed drugs to their members for two general purposes: to enhance performance during combat and to counter the trauma of killing and witnessing violence after it is over. Stimulants (e.g. alcohol, cocaine, and amphetamines) have been used to temporarily create better soldiers by that improving stamina, overcoming sleeplessness, eliminating fatigue, and increasing fighting spirit. Downers (e.g. alcohol, opiates, morphine, heroin, marijuana, barbiturates) have also been useful in dealing with the soldier's greatest enemy - shattered nerves. Kamienski's focuses on drugs "prescribed" by military authorities, but also documents the widespread unauthorized consumption by soldiers themselves.

Combatants have always treated with various drugs and alcohol, mainly for recreational use and as a reward to themselves for enduring the constant tension of preparing for. Although not officially approved, such "self-medication" is often been quietly tolerated by commanders in so far as it did not affect combat effectiveness. This volume spans the history of combat from the use of opium, coca, and mushrooms in pre-modern warfare to the efforts of modern militaries, during the Cold War in particular, to design psychochemical offensive weapons that can be used to incapacitate rather than to kill the enemy. Along the way, Kamienski provides fascinating coverage of on the European adoption of hashish during Napolean's invasion of Egypt, opium use during the American Civil War, amphetamines in the Third Reich, and the use of narcotics to control child soldiers in the rebel militias of contemporary Africa.

©2016 Lukasz Kamienski (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

One of the best books I have listened to

The author does a fantastic job profiling the history of drug use in the military while applying details from relevant cultural, psychological, and social topics as context for historical sources. In doing so, they create a compelling story that maturely approaches topics that some consider “taboo,” which helps the reader engage with their message and understand the true relationship between war and substance use. Beyond the interesting and somewhat wild stories, the author’s messages are deeply important, especially during the last chapters of the book that focus on PTSD and addiction in veterans. Overall, this book was one of the best I have listened to yet. I look forward to listening to their other work and learning more about the psychology and pharmacology behind war and conflict.

Searing History

This is an excellent historical survey with a searing. take no prisoners, finish. We may be used to the idea that soldiers used "Dutch Courage" in WWI and for centuries previoously; that GI's in Vietnam used marijuana and heroin but, maybe, we are not so clear about the roles that the military. governments and pharmaceutical industries played in the distribution of drugs before and after the conflicts. This engaging work places the blame for the development and "abuse" of powerful drugs squarely on the shoulders of that triumvirate, where it belongs.

Its certainly not a brief history.

Extremely comprehensive and highly informative. The author does an amazing job by going drug by drug through history. Touching on many subjects that are not often discussed or even thought of. Highly, highly recommend this.

Reads like a thesis paper

Although quite dense, this “short” History of drugs and warfare does cover a huge period of time and material. It reads a bit like a Thesis paper, at times sounding comically casual, while at other times using such verbosity of words and phrases (that add little or nothing to the content of line they create) that I wondered if the author was grasping to maximize word count. If you are willing to coast along the verbosity, however, there are brilliant nuggets that make the novel worth reading. I should also mention: The novel, in defining the patterns and practices of war, is quite depressing (you may need an anti-depressant when you’re done!).