Overview

From hallucinogenic mushrooms and LSD, to coca and cocaine; from Homeric warriors and the Assassins to the first Gulf War and today's global insurgents - drugs have sustained warriors in the field and have been used as weapons of warfare, either as non-lethal psychochemical weapons or as a means of subversion. Lukasz Kamienski explores why and how drugs have been issued to soldiers to increase their battlefield performance, boost their courage and alleviate stress and fear - as well as for medical purposes. He also delves into the history of psychoactive substances that combatants 'self-prescribe', a practice which dates as far back as the Vikings. Shooting Up is a comprehensive and original history of the relationship between fighting men and intoxicants, from Antiquity till the present day, and looks at how drugs will determine the wars of the future in unforeseen and remarkable ways.

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9781849045513

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Reviews

'Fascinating, immensely detailed and surprisingly sober ... [A] rich and compendious book.' - The Sunday Times; 'An engaging read ... a pharmacopoeia of interesting military history, medical research & cultural anecdote.' - VICE Magazine; 'Kamienski can be methodical and give detailed figures. Much of his narrative is fascinating, plenty of it is new, and he advances some serious arguments.' - The Spectator; 'In this profound, troubling, and deeply informative book, Kamienski investigates the relationship between intoxicants and warfare.' - Foreign Affairs; 'Absorbing and comprehensive' - The Intercept; 'This in-depth analysis of the highs of war tells a largely untold story - of the role drugs played over the centuries in supporting troops on the battlefield, and the role they will play in future in driving the course of war. Kamienski's book will undoubtedly come to be regarded as a classic text.' - Christopher Coker, Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics

'Fascinating, immensely detailed and surprisingly sober ... [A] rich and compendious book.' - The Sunday Times; 'In this compelling book about the history and prevalence of alcohol and drugs throughout the history of warfare, Lukasz Kamienski reveals in copious detail the countless ways intoxication, in its various forms, has ... been one of the distinctive features of human life.' -- the Guardian; 'An engaging read ... a pharmacopoeia of interesting military history, medical research & cultural anecdote.' - VICE Magazine; 'Kamienski can be methodical and give detailed figures. Much of his narrative is fascinating, plenty of it is new, and he advances some serious arguments.' - The Spectator; 'In this profound, troubling, and deeply informative book, Kamienski investigates the relationship between intoxicants and warfare.' - Foreign Affairs; 'Absorbing and comprehensive' - The Intercept; 'This in-depth analysis of the highs of war tells a largely untold story - of the role drugs played over the centuries in supporting troops on the battlefield, and the role they will play in future in driving the course of war. Kamienski's book will undoubtedly come to be regarded as a classic text.' - Christopher Coker, Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics

'Fascinating, immensely detailed and surprisingly sober ... [A] rich and compendious book.' - The Sunday Times; 'An engaging read ... a pharmacopoeia of interesting military history, medical research & cultural anecdote.' - VICE Magazine; In this profound, troubling, and deeply informative book, Kamienski investigates the relationship between intoxicants and warfare.' - Foreign Affairs; 'Absorbing and comprehensive' - The Intercept; 'This in-depth analysis of the highs of war tells a largely untold story - of the role drugs played over the centuries in supporting troops on the battlefield, and the role they will play in future in driving the course of war. Kamienski's book will undoubtedly come to be regarded as a classic text.' - Christopher Coker, Professor of International Relations, London School of Economics

Author Information

Lukasz Kamienski is Associate Professor at the Faculty of International and Political Studies, Jagiellonian University, Krakow.

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