What drives the drug trade, and how has it come to be what it is today? A global history of the acquisition of progressively more potent means of altering ordinary waking consciousness, this book is the first to provide the big picture of the discovery, interchange, and exploitation of the planet’s psychoactive resources, from tea and kola to opiates and amphetamines.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • This instant classic explores how we can change our lives by changing our habits. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Wall Street Journal • Financial Times In The Power of Habit, award-winning business reporter Charles Duhigg takes us to the thrilling edge of scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed. Distilling vast amounts of information into engrossing narratives that take us from the boardrooms of Procter & Gamble to the sidelines of the NFL to the front lines of the civil rights movement, Duhigg presents a whole new understanding of human nature and its potential. At its core, The Power of Habit contains an exhilarating argument: The key to exercising regularly, losing weight, being more productive, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. As Duhigg shows, by harnessing this new science, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives. With a new Afterword by the author “Sharp, provocative, and useful.”—Jim Collins “Few [books] become essential manuals for business and living. The Power of Habit is an exception. Charles Duhigg not only explains how habits are formed but how to kick bad ones and hang on to the good.”—Financial Times “A flat-out great read.”—David Allen, bestselling author of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity “You’ll never look at yourself, your organization, or your world quite the same way.”—Daniel H. Pink, bestselling author of Drive and A Whole New Mind “Entertaining . . . enjoyable . . . fascinating . . . a serious look at the science of habit formation and change.”—The New York Times Book Review
“A mind-blowing tour de force that unwraps the myriad objects of addiction that surround us...Intelligent, incisive, and sometimes grimly entertaining.” —Rod Phillips, author of Alcohol: A History “A fascinating history of corporate America’s efforts to shape our habits and desires.” —Vox We live in an age of addiction, from compulsive gaming and shopping to binge eating and opioid abuse. Sugar can be as habit-forming as cocaine, researchers tell us, and social media apps are deliberately hooking our kids. But what can we do to resist temptations that insidiously rewire our brains? A renowned expert on addiction, David Courtwright reveals how global enterprises have both created and catered to our addictions. The Age of Addiction chronicles the triumph of what he calls “limbic capitalism,” the growing network of competitive businesses targeting the brain pathways responsible for feeling, motivation, and long-term memory. “Compulsively readable...In crisp and playful prose and with plenty of needed humor, Courtwright has written a fascinating history of what we like and why we like it, from the first taste of beer in the ancient Middle East to opioids in West Virginia.” —American Conservative “A sweeping, ambitious account of the evolution of addiction...This bold, thought-provoking synthesis will appeal to fans of ‘big history’ in the tradition of Guns, Germs, and Steel.” —Publishers Weekly
A clear-eyed look at the instrumental role drugs have played in our cultural, social, and spiritual development. • First American publication of the surprising European bestseller. • Examines everything from the ancient use of ergot and datura to the modern phenomenon of "designer" drugs such as Ecstasy and crack cocaine. From remotest antiquity to the present era of designer drugs and interdiction, drugs have played a prominent role in the cultural, spiritual, and social development of civilizations. Antonio Escohotado demonstrates how the history of drugs illuminates the history of humanity as he explores the long relationship between mankind and mind-altering substances. Hemp, for example, has been used in India since time immemorial to stimulate mental agility and sexual prowess. Aristotle's disciple Theophrastus testifies to the use of datura by the ancient Greeks and further evidence links the rites at Eleusis to the ingestion of a hallucinogen. Similar examples can be found in cultures as diverse as the Celts, the ancient Egyptians, the Aztecs, and other indigenous peoples around the world. Professor Escohotado also looks at the present-day differences that exist between the more drug-tolerant societies like Holland and Switzerland and countries advocating complete repression of these substances. The author provides a comprehensive analysis of the enormous social costs of the drug war that is coming under increasing fire from all levels of society. Professor Escohotado's work demonstrates that drugs have always existed and been used by societies throughout the world and the contribution they have made to humanity's development has been enormous. The choice we face today is to teach people how to use them correctly or to continue to indiscriminately demonize them. "Just say no," the author says, is not an option. Just say "know" is. Antonio Escohotado is a professor of philosophy and social science methodology at the National University of Distance Education in Madrid, Spain. He travels widely, offering lectures and seminars on the subject of drugs and history.
A global history of the acquisition of progressively more potent means of altering ordinary waking consciousness, this book is the first to provide the big picture of the discovery, interchange, and exploitation of the planet's psychoactive resources, from tea and kola to opiates and amphetamines.
In a world where time is the ultimate currency, "The Power of Habit: Mastering Your Daily Routine for Success" emerges as the essential guide to reclaiming your life through the transformative power of habits. This insightful book peels back the layers of what it takes to understand, form, and maintain habits that lead to profound personal and professional growth. With a focus on the science of habit formation, practical strategies for building beneficial routines, and real-life success stories, it offers a comprehensive roadmap to achieving unparalleled success. Discover the secrets of the habit loop—the cue, routine, and reward process that underpins every habit in our lives. Learn how to identify and cultivate key habits that align with your goals, and navigate the challenges of replacing old patterns with new, empowering behaviors. From creating a supportive environment to leveraging technology for habit success, this book provides all the tools you need to make lasting changes. Whether you're looking to overhaul your productivity, improve your health, or achieve a long-held dream, "The Power of Habit" is your guide to turning aspirations into action. Get ready to transform your daily routine and unlock your full potential. The journey to a more successful and fulfilling life begins with mastering the power of habit.
This work examines customs and habits such as crayfish parties, Christmas celebrations, and graduation rituals. The focus is not on the traditions as such, instead they provide a starting point for analyses of how the experiences of everyday life are manifested in a visible cultural garb. The text shows how many rituals serve to release people from the bonds of tradition, usually by creating a special cultural arena. Yet it also examines the ways in which habits and customs tacitly coerce thoughts, sometimes drawing attention to fundamental social and moral values but just as often acting as impediments to reflection. The contributors try to see how some features of everyday cultural identity can be easily replaced, while others may persist tenaciously.
A megalomaniacal ringmaster, Caribaldi, has a fixed idea: he must teach his troupe - a juggler, a tightrope dancer, a lion tamer, and a clown - to play Schubert's "Trout Quintet," a serene goal in the midst of a cacaphony of one-night stands, laws of gravity, fate, and the vagaries of human nature. Not one of Caribaldi's motley crew wants to play; not one is suited to his or her instrument.
Discover the Essential Laws That Elevate You In one of his bluntest and most practical works ever, popular voice of esoteric ideas Mitch Horowitz explores the most powerful steps you can take to bring yourself into alignment with the natural forces of life to produce greater effectiveness, self-expression, creativity, earning ability, and personal happiness. In this book, Mitch makes his first detailed exploration of the most intriguing and mysterious idea charted by success master Napoleon Hill, Cosmic Habit Force, and demonstrates, step by step, how you can enact this method by incorporating 23 simple principles into your life. Cosmic Habit Force demonstrates how to “Harness Unexpected Forces” (Habit 5), “Loosen the Hold of Fear” (Habit 7), “Avoid Predatory Personalities” (Habit 20), “Expect Great Things” (Habit 22), and much more. As Mitch describes, certain ways of living bring you into alignment with laws that enable nature and all of life. This is not dissimilar to concepts found within Taoism and Transcendentalism. When you function within this productive flow, cycles of growth appear at your back. All of nature aids your advancement. “Brilliant mind.”—Duncan Trussell “Invitingly frank.”—Kirkus Reviews “Mitch Horowitz, a specialist in American esotericism…takes us far from naive doctrines.”—Paris Match