The Mystique of Opium [Hardcover]

Jean-Francois Hubert (Author), Donald Wigal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 25, 2004 | Series: Temporis Collection

Whilst the 20th century was one long war for control of the world's oil supplies, opium was a key strategic raw material during the four preceding centuries. Opium consumption dates back to Ancient Egypt. Initially a useful pharmaceutical product called laudanum, it quickly became popular in Britain. It then became the basis for trade with isolationist China as soon as the Opium Wars obtained trading rights for Western companies and the Chinese began smoking it in industrial quantities. This book offers a tastefully illustrated history of this toxic substance, its paraphernalia and era.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Wigal holds degrees in music, adult education, and liturgical theology, all of which he has taught at universities, along with Gregorian chant and film education. He also has certification from the Institute for Spiritual Theology and from the University of the City of New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Parkstone Press (November 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1859959156
• ISBN-13: 978-1859959152
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,208,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I suggest that the various international editions of Amazon be consulted also. For example, there are a dozen of my books translated into Japanese and appear in the Amazon site for that language. Nearly as many are in French, some in German, and a few in Spanish. One co-authored book is in a dozen languages. A nearly complete list of my published books is at dwigal.com along with a slide show of spot illustrations available for a small fee to publishers. The site includes some corrections to several on-line entries. There are, for example, at least three books attributed to me that I didn't write and several that I did write that are attributed [also] to others for some reason. There are several self-published works not listed on-line, such as a co-authored novella, booklets of light verse, and such for a small target group. BTW, the Contemporary Authors article on me is a rip off and decades old.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inhale This Book with Your Eyes -- It Does Great Stuff, February 15, 2005

By 

William Kuhns - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mystique of Opium (Hardcover)

What a delight THE MYSTIQUE OF OPIUM is! It introduces us to startling new perspectives on opium, as when Nick Tosches states that "When God put His mouth at the nostrils of Adam, there was probably opium on his breath." It tempers its subject by keeping the narrative on two tracks: opium and its blissful appeal, opium and its destructive effects. There's a punning wit to the titles ("Poppy Nose Best") and a stunning clarity to the many visuals that show us the inner historic world of the opium pipe and the opium den. I confess I got hooked, seriously addicted -- I discovered that the subject of opium handled appropriately can stand in for the real thing and weave its magic in the head as surely as if it had been inhaled with the nostrils rather than the eyes. A stunning treatment of a subject best known to many of us, I suspect, at this kind of remove. Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice illustrations, insubstantial text, July 16, 2007

By 

Ludix (Upton, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Mystique of Opium (Hardcover)

If you've been looking for a coffee table book on opium culture, this volume is just the ticket. The color photos of antique graphics and opium-related instruments and furniture are resplendent.

Unfortunately, the text offers no more than a breezy summary of the vast and intricate lore of this problematic substance. There is also a distinct anti-drug bias ... not surprising considering the nature of the author's other writings.

If you really want to learn about the history and usage of opium, the book to get is OPIUM: A HISTORY by Martin Booth. Peter Lee's OPIUM CULTURE is also very good.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book.. BUT, April 9, 2006

By 

D. Wallace - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mystique of Opium (Hardcover)

A good book, BUT check out read Peter Lee's "Opium Culture", formerly published as "The Big Smoke" (now available on Amazon) if you want the definitive work on this subject. Peter Lee really knows his stuff and will have you captivated throughout the book!