Webs of Smoke: Smugglers, Warlords, Spies, and the History of the International Drug Trade (State & Society East Asia) [Hardcover]

Kathryn Meyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 1998 | Series: State & Society East Asia

This fascinating history of international drug trafficking in the first half of the twentieth century follows the stories of American narcs and gangsters, Japanese spies, Chinese warlords, and soldiers of fortune whose lives revolved around opium. The drug trade centered on China, which was before 1949, the world's largest narcotic market. The authors tell the interlocking stories of the many extraordinary personalities—sinister and otherwise—involved in narcotics trafficking in Asia, Europe, and the United States. Drawing on a rich store of U.S., British, European, Japanese, and Chinese archives, this unique study will be invaluable for all readers interested in the drug trade and contemporary East Asian history.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Read on and join the ranks of those who appreciate just how complicated a problem drug trafficking and use really is," the authors pronounce in their book's foreword. The authors, both historians, trace the development of the international drug trade between 1907 and 1954, shifting among Europe, Asia and the U.S. Throughout that time, the drug trade?and the money it represented?affected and was affected by political developments. Early in the century, even as European governments condemned drug use, they depended on the revenue from opium monopolies they ran in Asian colonies such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. The authors have done their homework well (providing footnotes and an extensive bibliography), but the final result is disjointed. Every few pages they throw in mini-biographies of players in the drug trade, from English bureaucrats to Chinese poppy growers and Japanese traders. It's easy to lose track of who's who, as people mentioned in an early chapter show up again 100 pages later, well after the reader has forgotten their significance. Concentrating on a few main characters who exemplified certain traits would have produced a more coherent whole. Only in the last few pages do Meyer and Parssinen find parallels between the Chinese opium trade and the current inner-city drug wars, something that would have given the work more current relevance.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

History professors Meyer (Lafayette Coll.) and Parssinen (Univ. of Tampa) have put together an authoritative and well-documented account of the history of world traffic in illicit narcotics in the first half of the 20th century. The authors probe the four elements common to a successful drug trafficking enterprise: supply, delivery, investment, and enforcement. Legislative initiatives and international regulatory efforts are set against a backdrop of high-stakes intrigue, underworld cabals, personal successes and failures, political opportunism, corruption, and shattered careers. By 1900, the shifting profile of the typical narcotics user?from Civil War veterans hooked on pain-killing opium to young urban hoodlums?resulted in growing public alarm about addicts and their drugs. Legislation soon emerged, as did America's first drug czar, Harry J. Anslinger. Except for the slight difference in focus, this work closely parallels Martin Booth's Opium: A History (LJ 6/15/98). Both books are essential for any collection seeking to provide historical insight into the current narcotics debate.?Philip Young Blue, New York State Supreme Court Criminal Branch Lib., New York
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (November 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847690164
• ISBN-13: 978-0847690169
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,036,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting history, somewhat shallow analysis, November 24, 2001

By 

Mark Mills (Glen Rose, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Webs of Smoke: Smugglers, Warlords, Spies, and the History of the International Drug Trade (State & Society East Asia) (Hardcover)

Webs of Smoke contains an interesting account of the pre-20th century Asian narcotics trade. The first 4 or 5 chapters will hold your attention.

As the book approaches more contemporary events, the authors lose their grip. The 20th century events are told as a series of individual case studies which provide only a partial view of the Asian drug industry. The book seems to conclude that the communist revolution in China solved China's drug problems. This seems an odd way to end the book. 1998, the year of the book's publication, was a record year for Chinese narcotics seizures. The authors seem to stick with official records and avoid analysis. This is a satisfactory strategy for pre-20th century events, but becomes increasingly problematic as the subject matter becomes more contemporary.

The chapter titles suggest the book provides an overview of infrastructure roles. Chapter titles are 'Bureaucrats,' 'Merchants,' 'Monopolies,' 'Europeans,' 'War Lords,' 'Soldiers of Fortune,' 'Spies,' 'Americans' and 'Communists.' Perhaps a 'role' based review would be a good book, but the chapters are really sequential case histories of leading individuals. A broad based analysis of the users and infrastructure is never really attempted. The case studies provide the reader with a good start on understanding the 'big picture.' It is a pity the authors avoided the issue.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great background to modern drug wars, December 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Webs of Smoke: Smugglers, Warlords, Spies, and the History of the International Drug Trade (State & Society East Asia) (Hardcover)

Great in-depth research on the history of Asian drug dealing, but stops short of covering the post WW II situation. While the authors deny the global conspiracy, at the same time they provide much evidence for drug dealing as part of official policy. In China, Japan, even among Euro corporations profits allow for official corruption. The authors say Yes the CIA was part of Asian drug dealing, but claim it is not a conspiracy? We are at war over drugs, yet allowing our secret police to play a role. The authors should return with a sequel, and re-think the "no conspiracy" stance.