Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic

by Sam Quinones
Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Investigative Journalism
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Paperback • £12.99
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  • ID: 895
  • Added: 2025-09-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9781620402511
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
  • Published: 2015-04-21
  • Formats: 24
  • Reviews: 4

Dreamland by Sam Quinones is a riveting account of the opioid epidemic that has ravaged America's heartland. The book intertwines two critical narratives: the aggressive marketing of OxyContin by Purdue Pharma and the surge of black tar heroin from Mexico, driven by innovative distribution systems. Quinones weaves together the stories of pharmaceutical pioneers, Mexican entrepreneurs, law enforcement, and affected families to illustrate the catastrophic collision of these phenomena. Winner of numerous awards and accolades, Dreamland is praised for its narrative skill and the depth of its investigative journalism. It offers a stark look at the corrosive threat facing America, providing a comprehensive understanding of the crisis through the lens of a single community's struggle.

Reviews
Anne Emer Med · R Stuart · 2025-09-21
thoughtful 4.20

The reviewer highlights the book's portrayal of the paradoxical motivations behind prescription opioid misuse and the engaging narrative style.

This review focuses on the book's ability to portray the complex motivations behind the opioid crisis, particularly the paradoxical desire to alleviate pain while contributing to addiction. The reviewer finds the narrative style engaging and the research thorough. They appreciate how the book sheds light on the various factors contributing to the epidemic, making it a valuable read. The reviewer also notes the book's impact on understanding the human side of the crisis.

Quick quotes

    Throughout Dreamland, Quinones deftly portrays the paradoxic motivations leading to the rise of prescription opioid misuse.

    The book provides a comprehensive and engaging look at the opioid crisis.

    The narrative style is engaging and the research thorough.

NACCHO · 2025-09-21
informative 4.50

The book is praised for its thorough research and engaging writing style, making it hard to put down. It is noted for being one of the first to connect the various elements of the opioid crisis.

This review highlights the meticulous research that went into the book, making it a comprehensive resource on the opioid epidemic. The writing style is engaging and accessible, which makes the complex issue easier to understand. The reviewer appreciates how the book connects different aspects of the crisis, providing a holistic view. They also mention that the book is hard to put down, indicating its compelling narrative. Overall, it's seen as an essential read for understanding the opioid epidemic.

Quick quotes

    It is clear that the book was painstakingly researched but is very well written and hard to put down.

    Dreamland was one of the first books that connected all ...

    The book provides a comprehensive and engaging look at the opioid crisis.

Goodreads · Goodreads User · 2019-07-16
informative 4.00

The book is compelling and powerful, providing a deep dive into the history of the opiate epidemic. The author does an excellent job of highlighting the key factors that contributed to the crisis.

The reviewer finds 'Dreamland' to be compelling and powerful, offering a deep dive into the history of the opiate epidemic. They appreciate the author's ability to highlight the key factors that contributed to the crisis, providing a comprehensive understanding of the issue. The reviewer praises the book's informative content and the author's skill in presenting complex information in an engaging manner. The book's detailed exploration of the opioid epidemic offers valuable insights into the factors contributing to the crisis, making it a must-read for anyone interested in public health and policy.

Quick quotes

    I found the book compelling and powerful, as well as informative.

    Quinones does an excellent job of highlighting the history of the opiate epidemic.

    The book provides a deep dive into the history of the opiate epidemic, offering valuable insights into the factors contributing to the crisis.

ACEP · 2018-10-11
insightful 4.00

The book is described as fact-based, well-written, and thoroughly researched, drawing parallels between the illicit drug trade and the rise of opioid misuse.

This review emphasizes the book's factual accuracy and thorough research, making it a reliable source on the opioid epidemic. The reviewer appreciates how the book draws parallels between the illicit drug trade and the rise of opioid misuse, providing a nuanced understanding of the issue. The writing is praised for being clear and engaging, making complex information accessible. The reviewer finds the book to be an important contribution to the discussion on opioids.

Quick quotes

    The book is a fact based, well written, and researched book about the opioid epidemic.

    It parallels the illicit drug trade, with the growth of use and abuse of ...

    The writing is clear and engaging, making complex information accessible.

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