The Big Smoke

This book reveals the hidden world an mysteries of opium. Peter Lee covers every aspect in the art and craft of smoking opium, exploring everything from rituals and culture to pharmacology and philosophy, from history and horticulture to artistry and craftsmanship.

"This book opens the long locked gate into the secret, self-contained world of the opium smoker, a world complete with its own ritual and culture, its own philosophy and values, its own ways and means. Peter Lee reveals this hidden world to the reader with a sure and knowing hand, explaining every fascinating facet from pharmacology to philosophy, history to horticulture, artistry to craftsmanship. Of particular interest to the contemporary reader are the medical and psychological aspects, and the highly informative interviews with smokers. This is one of the most interesting and informative books I've read in many years, a real treasure trove of exoctic arcana."

Daniel Reid, author of Handbook of Chinese Healing Herbs