New York Times BestsellerIt is now one hundred years since drugs were first banned in the United States. On the eve of this centenary, journalist Johann Hari set off on an epic three-year, thirty-thousand-mile journey into the war on drugs. What he found is that more and more people all over the world have begun to recognize three startling truths: Drugs are not what we think they are. Addiction is not what we think it is. And the drug war has very different motives to the ones we have seen on our TV screens for so long.In Chasing the Scream, Hari reveals his discoveries entirely through the stories of people across the world whose lives have been transformed by this war. They range from a transsexual crack dealer in Brooklyn searching for her mother, to a teenage hit-man in Mexico searching for a way out. It begins with Hari's discovery that at the birth of the drug war, Billie Holiday was stalked and killed by the man who launched this crusade--and it ends with the story of a brave doctor who has led his country to decriminalize every drug, from cannabis to crack, with remarkable results.Chasing the Scream lays bare what we really have been chasing in our century of drug war--in our hunger for drugs, and in our attempt to destroy them. This book will challenge and change how you think about one of the most controversial--and consequential--questions of our time.
Industry Reviews
"Hari talks to cops, dealers, convicts, addicts, scientists, and politicians from New York to Juarez to Amsterdam, assembling stories from all corners of what he calls a 'global battlefield.' Their combined testimony forms a convincing brief that drug prohibition may have spawned as much crime, violence, and heartache as drug use ever did." --"Boston Globe""Breathtaking ... "Chasing the Scream" is a powerful contribution to an urgent debate." --"The Guardian""Hari spent three years meticulously researching and footnoting the book, which puts a vivid human face on our behemoth and often abstract anti-drug efforts" --"The Atlantic""Hari debunks many myths and fallacies surrounding addiction and the drug wars. But this book is also an eloquent reminder of an easily forgotten truth, one that the doctor in 1938 used as the title of his own book: 'Drug Addicts Are Human Beings.""'"- "Christian Science Monitor"""Chasing the Scream" is a remarkable book. It is moving and articulate and impossible to put down. Read it and demand our politicians take note." --"Evening Standard"""Chasing the Scream" is a riveting book, and Hari is an effective storyteller." - "San Francisco Chronicle""Important and beautifully written."--"Baltimore City Paper""A timely book, and one that might even change minds." --"The Times""Hari's empathy and keen eye for detail bring a disparate group of characters to life." --"New York Times Book Review""Hari debunks many myths and fallacies surrounding addiction and the drug wars. But this book is also an eloquent reminder of an easily forgotten truth, one that the doctor in 1938 used as the title of his own book: "Drug Addicts Are Human Beings".""" --"Christian Science MonitorChasing the Scream is a fascinating extensively researched and heartfelt contribution to a debate over drugs policy that continues to rage today.--Esquire UK""Hari has made a stimulating hybrid of a book -- simultaneously a readable history of the war on drugs and a powerful case for radical reform." - "Publishers Weekly""A compassionate and humane argument to overturn draconian drug policies." - "Kirkus Reviews""[Hari] unites the history, the human story, and the arguments for reform in a complex and compelling account." - "Library Journal""A frank and often brutal examination of the origins of the American war-on-drugs policy . . . Hari concisely lays out the history and long-term effects of the war on drugs with both depth and precision. He portrays everyone with empathy, from drug dealers to drug addicts, law enforcement personnel, and civilans caught in the middle . . . [He ends with] hope for a new understanding of drug use in the future." - "Booklist""Superb journalism and thrilling story-telling." --Naomi Klein""Chasing the Scream" vividly paints the war on drugs as the century-long bad LSD trip that it is; in doing so it sticks a big nail in its coffin." --Ioan Grillo, author of "El Narco""An absolutely stunning book. It will blow people away." - Elton John"Johann Hari's book is the perfect antidote to the war on drugs, one of the most under-discussed moral injustices of our time. It combines rigorous research and deeply human story-telling. It will prompt an urgently needed debate." - Glenn Greenwald"This book is an entertainment, a great character study, and page-turning story-telling all rolled into one very sophisticated and compelling cry for social justice." - Stephen Downing, former deputy chief, LAPD"Wonderful. I couldn't put it down." --Noam Chomsky "This book is as intoxicatingly thrilling as crack, without destroying your teeth. It will change the drug debate forever." --Russell Brand"Johann Hari has written a drug policy reform book like no other. Many have studied, or conducted, the science surrounding the manifold ills of drug prohibition. But Hari puts it all into riveting story form, and humanizes it . . . "Chasing the Scream" is beautifully wrought: lively, humorous, and poignant. And, it's a compelling case for why the drug war must end, yesterday." --Norman Stamper, former chief of the Seattle Police ""Hari debunks many myths and fallacies surrounding addiction and the drug wars. But this book is also an eloquent reminder of an easily forgotten truth, one that the doctor in 1938 used as the title of his own book: 'Drug Addicts Are Human Beings.""'"- "Christian Science Monitor" """Chasing the Scream" is a riveting book, and Hari is an effective storyteller." - "San Francisco Chronicle" "A compassionate and humane argument to overturn draconian drug policies." - "Kirkus Reviews" "[Hari] unites the history, the human story, and the arguments for reform in a complex and compelling account." - "Library Journal" "A frank and often brutal examination of the origins of the American war-on-drugs policy . . . Hari concisely lays out the history and long-term effects of the war on drugs with both depth and precision. He portrays everyone with empathy, from drug dealers to drug addicts, law enforcement personnel, and civilans caught in the middle . . . [He ends with] hope for a new understanding of drug use in the future." - "Booklist ""An absolutely stunning book. It will blow people away." - Elton John "Johann Hari's book is the perfect antidote to the war on drugs, one of the most under-discussed moral injustices of our time. It combines rigorous research and deeply human story-telling. It will prompt an urgently needed debate." - Glenn Greenwald "This book is an entertainment, a great character study, and page-turning story-telling all rolled into one very sophisticated and compelling cry for social justice." - Stephen Downing, former deputy chief, LAPD Johann Hari's book is the perfect antidote to the war on drugs, one of the most under-discussed moral injustices of our time. It combines rigorous research and deeply human story-telling. It will prompt an urgently needed debate.--Glenn Greenwald A terrific book.--Bill Maher An absolutely stunning book. It will blow people away.--Elton John Superb journalism and thrilling story-telling.--Naomi Klein Wonderful. I couldn't put it down.--Noam Chomsky An astounding book . . . You have to read it.--Amy Goodman, host of DEMOCRACY NOW! This book is as intoxicatingly thrilling as crack, without destroying your teeth. It will change the drug debate forever.--Russell Brand Amazing and bracing and smart. It's really revolutionary.--Dan Savage Incredibly insightful and provocative.--B.J. Novak, writer for THE OFFICE Check out Johann Hari's extraordinary new book "Chasing the Scream," one of the best books I've ever read about the world of drugs.--Toure, MSNBC" Breath-taking . . . A powerful contribution to an urgent debate.--John Harris "The Guardian " "Chasing the Scream" vividly paints the war on drugs as the century-long bad LSD trip that it is; in doing so it sticks a big nail in its coffin.--Ioan Grillo, author of EL NARCO This book is an entertainment, a great character study, and page-turning story-telling all rolled into one very sophisticated and compelling cry for social justice.--Stephen Downing, former deputy chief, LAPD Johann Hari has written a drug policy reform book like no other. Many have studied, or conducted, the science surrounding the manifold ills of drug prohibition. But Hari puts it all into riveting story form, and humanizes it . . . "Chasing the Scream" is beautifully wrought: lively, humorous, and poignant. And, it's a compelling case for why the drug war must end, yesterday.--Norman Stamper, former chief of the Seattle Police "A wonderful book . . . I hope everyone will read it." - Sam Harris
"Wonderful. I couldn't put it down." - Noam Chomsky
"An absolutely stunning book. It will blow people away." - Elton John
"Superb journalism and thrilling story-telling." - Naomi Klein
"One of the world's most important and most enlightening thinkers and social critics." - Glenn Greenwald, winner of the Pulitzer Prize
"A terrific book." - Bill Maher
"Incredibly insightful and provocative." - B.J. Novak, writer for THE OFFICE
"Amazing and bracing and smart. It's really revolutionary." - Dan Savage "A compassionate and humane argument to overturn draconian drug policies." - Kirkus Reviews
"Hari has made a stimulating hybrid of a book--simultaneously a readable history of the war on drugs and a powerful case for radical reform." - Publishers Weekly
"Breath-taking . . . A powerful contribution to an urgent debate." - John Harris, The Guardian
"Check out Johann Hari's extraordinary new book Chasing the Scream, one of the best books I've ever read about the world of drugs." - Toure, MSNBC
"A riveting book." - San Francisco Chronicle
"A terrific book." - Bill Maher
"Wonderful. I couldn't put it down." - Noam Chomsky
"An absolutely stunning book. It will blow people away." - Elton John
"This book is as intoxicatingly thrilling as crack, without destroying your teeth. It will change the drug debate forever." - Russell Brand
"Superb journalism and thrilling story-telling." - Naomi Klein
"Johann Hari's book is the perfect antidote to the war on drugs, one of the most under-discussed moral injustices of our time. It combines rigorous research and deeply human story-telling. It will prompt an urgently-needed debate." - Glenn Greenwald
"Amazing and bracing and smart. It's really revolutionary." - Dan Savage
"An astounding book . . . You have to read it." - Amy Goodman, host of DEMOCRACY NOW!
"Incredibly insightful and provocative." - B.J. Novak, writer for THE OFFICE
"Chasing the Scream vividly paints the war on drugs as the century-long bad LSD trip that it is; in doing so it sticks a big nail in its coffin." - Ioan Grillo, author of EL NARCO
"Johann Hari has written a drug policy reform book like no other. Many have studied, or conducted, the science surrounding the manifold ills of drug prohibition. But Hari puts it all into riveting story form, and humanizes it . . . Chasing the Scream is beautifully wrought: lively, humorous, and poignant. And, it's a compelling case for why the drug war must end, yesterday." - Norman Stamper, former chief of the Seattle Police
"This book is an entertainment, a great character study, and page-turning story-telling all rolled into one very sophisticated and compelling cry for social justice." - Stephen Downing, former deputy chief, LAPD "A compassionate and humane argument to overturn draconian drug policies." - Kirkus Reviews
"Hari has made a stimulating hybrid of a book--simultaneously a readable history of the war on drugs and a powerful case for radical reform." - Publishers Weekly
"Breath-taking . . . A powerful contribution to an urgent debate." - John Harris, The Guardian
"Check out Johann Hari's extraordinary new book Chasing the Scream, one of the best books I've ever read about the world of drugs." - Toure, MSNBC
"A riveting book." - San Francisco Chronicle
"A terrific book." - Bill Maher
"Wonderful. I couldn't put it down." - Noam Chomsky
"An absolutely stunning book. It will blow people away." - Elton John
"This book is as intoxicatingly thrilling as crack, without destroying your teeth. It will change the drug debate forever." - Russell Brand
"Superb journalism and thrilling story-telling." - Naomi Klein
"Johann Hari's book is the perfect antidote to the war on drugs, one of the most under-discussed moral injustices of our time. It combines rigorous research and deeply human story-telling. It will prompt an urgently-needed debate." - Glenn Greenwald
"Amazing and bracing and smart. It s really revolutionary." - Dan Savage
"An astounding book . . . You have to read it." - Amy Goodman, host of DEMOCRACY NOW!
"Incredibly insightful and provocative." - B.J. Novak, writer for THE OFFICE
"Chasing the Scream vividly paints the war on drugs as the century-long bad LSD trip that it is; in doing so it sticks a big nail in its coffin." - Ioan Grillo, author of EL NARCO
"Johann Hari has written a drug policy reform book like no other. Many have studied, or conducted, the science surrounding the manifold ills of drug prohibition. But Hari puts it all into riveting story form, and humanizes it . . . Chasing the Scream is beautifully wrought: lively, humorous, and poignant. And, it's a compelling case for why the drug war must end, yesterday." - Norman Stamper, former chief of the Seattle Police
"This book is an entertainment, a great character study, and page-turning story-telling all rolled into one very sophisticated and compelling cry for social justice." - Stephen Downing, former deputy chief, LAPD
" Johann Hari's book is the perfect antidote to the war on drugs, one of the most under-discussed moral injustices of our time. It combines rigorous research and deeply human story-telling. It will prompt an urgently needed debate. Glenn Greenwald
A terrific book. Bill Maher
An absolutely stunning book. It will blow people away. Elton John
Superb journalism and thrilling story-telling. Naomi Klein
Wonderful. I couldn't put it down. Noam Chomsky
An astounding book . . . You have to read it. Amy Goodman, host of DEMOCRACY NOW!
This book is as intoxicatingly thrilling as crack, without destroying your teeth. It will change the drug debate forever. Russell Brand
Amazing and bracing and smart. It's really revolutionary. Dan Savage
Incredibly insightful and provocative. B.J. Novak, writer for THE OFFICE
Check out Johann Hari's extraordinary new book "Chasing the Scream," one of the best books I've ever read about the world of drugs. Toure, MSNBC
Breath-taking . . . A powerful contribution to an urgent debate. John Harris, "The Guardian"
A riveting book. "San Francisco Chronicle"
"Chasing the Scream" vividly paints the war on drugs as the century-long bad LSD trip that it is; in doing so it sticks a big nail in its coffin. Ioan Grillo, author of EL NARCO
This book is an entertainment, a great character study, and page-turning story-telling all rolled into one very sophisticated and compelling cry for social justice. Stephen Downing, former deputy chief, LAPD
Johann Hari has written a drug policy reform book like no other. Many have studied, or conducted, the science surrounding the manifold ills of drug prohibition. But Hari puts it all into riveting story form, and humanizes it . . . "Chasing the Scream" is beautifully wrought: lively, humorous, and poignant. And, it's a compelling case for why the drug war must end, yesterday. Norman Stamper, former chief of the Seattle Police
Hari has made a stimulating hybrid of a book--simultaneously a readable history of the war on drugs and a powerful case for radical reform. "Publishers Weekly"
A compassionate and humane argument to overturn draconian drug policies. "Kirkus Reviews"" "Johann Hari's book is the perfect antidote to the war on drugs, one of the most under-discussed moral injustices of our time. It combines rigorous research and deeply human story-telling. It will prompt an urgently needed debate." --Glenn Greenwald
"A terrific book." --Bill Maher
"An absolutely stunning book. It will blow people away." --Elton John
"Superb journalism and thrilling story-telling." --Naomi Klein
"Wonderful. I couldn't put it down." --Noam Chomsky
"An astounding book . . . You have to read it." --Amy Goodman, host of DEMOCRACY NOW!
"This book is as intoxicatingly thrilling as crack, without destroying your teeth. It will change the drug debate forever." --Russell Brand
"Amazing and bracing and smart. It's really revolutionary." --Dan Savage
"Incredibly insightful and provocative." --B.J. Novak, writer for THE OFFICE
"Check out Johann Hari's extraordinary new book "Chasing the Scream," one of the best books I've ever read about the world of drugs." --Toure, MSNBC
"Breath-taking . . . A powerful contribution to an urgent debate." --John Harris, "The Guardian"
"A riveting book." --"San Francisco Chronicle"
""Chasing the Scream" vividly paints the war on drugs as the century-long bad LSD trip that it is; in doing so it sticks a big nail in its coffin." --Ioan Grillo, author of EL NARCO
"This book is an entertainment, a great character study, and page-turning story-telling all rolled into one very sophisticated and compelling cry for social justice." --Stephen Downing, former deputy chief, LAPD
"Johann Hari has written a drug policy reform book like no other. Many have studied, or conducted, the science surrounding the manifold ills of drug prohibition. But Hari puts it all into riveting story form, and humanizes it . . . "Chasing the Scream" is beautifully wrought: lively, humorous, and poignant. And, it's a compelling case for why the drug war must end, yesterday." --Norman Stamper, former chief of the Seattle Police
"Hari has made a stimulating hybrid of a book--simultaneously a readable history of the war on drugs and a powerful case for radical reform." --"Publishers Weekly"
"A compassionate and humane argument to overturn draconian drug policies." --"Kirkus Reviews"" "Superb journalism and thrilling story-telling." --Naomi Klein, author of "The Shock Doctrine "and "This Changes Everything"ã ""Chasing the Scream" vividly paints the war on drugs as the century-long bad LSD trip that it is; in doing so it sticks a big nail in its coffin." --Ioan Grillo, author of "El Narco""An absolutely stunning book. It will blow people away." - Elton John"Johann Hari's book is the perfect antidote to the war on drugs, one of the most under-discussed moral injustices of our time. It combines rigorous research and deeply human story-telling. It will prompt an urgently needed debate." - Glenn Greenwald, author of"No Place to Hide""This book is an entertainment, a great character study, and page-turning story-telling all rolled into one very sophisticated and compelling cry for social justice." - Stephen Downing, former deputy chief, LAPD"Wonderful. I couldn't put it down." --Noam Chomsky, author of "9-11" and "On Anarchism""This book is as intoxicatingly thrilling as crack, without destroying your teeth. It will change the drug debate forever." --Russell Brand"Johann Hari has written a drug policy reform book like no other. Many have studied, or conducted, the science surrounding the manifold ills of drug prohibition. But Hari puts it all into riveting story form, and humanizes it . . . "Chasing the Scream" is beautifully wrought: lively, humorous, and poignant. And, it's a compelling case for why the drug war must end, yesterday." --Norman Stamper, former chief of the Seattle Police "A compassionate and humane argument to overturn draconian drug policies." --"Kirkus Reviews"
"Hari has made a stimulating hybrid of a book: simultaneously a readable history of the war on drugs and a powerful case for radical reform." --"Publishers Weekly" "Wonderful. I couldn't put it down." --Noam Chomsky
"An absolutely stunning book. It will blow people away." --Elton John
"Perhaps the most influential journalist of his generation." --"The Telegraph"
