Emperors of Dreams
Originally published in 2000
2011 edition fully revised and updated with new material
Emperors of Dreams tells the story of how today’s illicit drugs were originally discovered, and reveals their impact on the nineteenth century’s dreams and nightmares.
available in Czech as paperback and ebook here
“A fascinating, highly informed study of recreational drugs in the 19th century” Independent
“Intelligent, witty, cogent and a bit pissed off, Emperors of Dreams is one of the best books on drugs I have come across, and should be mandatory reading for anyone concerned with drug legislation.” New Statesman
” An excellent book… it states with precision as well as poetry the nature of the drug experience.” Guardian
“An intelligent and urbane book…Jay neatly shows that drugs did not have the histories we, from our present-day perspective, might expect.”
Roy Porter, Times Higher Educational Supplement
“Enjoyable and provocative…essential reading for anyone interested in the history of recreational drugs”
Pharmaceutical Journal
“Absorbing…anyone seeking to pass an opinion on drugs should own a copy.” .. Independent on Sunday
“I commend to Honourable Members Emperors of Dreams, an excellent book on drug use in the past century.”
Paul Flynn M.P., House of Commons
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Mushrooms in Wonderland: hallucinogenic fungi and Victorian fairy lore
The Pope of Opium: Thomas De Quincey, the archetypal drug fiend
Opium and the Symphonie Fantastique: the fever dreams of Hector Berlioz