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Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty | Patrick Radden Keefe
15 posts | 19 read | 23 to read
The highly-anticipated portrait of three generations of the Sackler family, by the prize-winning, bestselling author of Say Nothing. The Sackler name adorns the walls of many storied institutions Harvard; the Metropolitan Museum of Art; Oxford; the Louvre. They are one of the richest families in the world, known for their lavish donations in the arts and the sciences. The source of the family fortune was vague, however, until it emerged that the Sacklers were responsible for making and marketing Oxycontin, a blockbuster painkiller that was a catalyst for the opioid crisis-an international epidemic of drug addiction which has killed nearly half a million people. In this masterpiece of narrative reporting and writing, Patrick Radden Keefe exhaustively documents the jaw-dropping and ferociously compelling reality. Empire of Pain is the story of a dynasty: a parable of 21st century greed.
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emmaturi
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Pickpick

This story about the Sacklers and how they created OxyContin, which fuelled the opioid crisis and let's be honest, got away with it. It was gripping and totally maddening to read, but worth it.

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QBub
Pickpick

This was a surprisingly easy read, given how painful the subject matter was. Keene profiles the Sackler brothers, their families and the companies they owned, primarily Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin (an opioid many hold largely responsible for the opioid crisis). A quote near the end of the book sums up my thoughts perfectly: “I‘m not sure that I‘m aware of any family in America that‘s more evil than yours.”

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rockpools
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I‘m going to own up. I‘m starting this early as well @Mitch . It‘s the one on my #AuldLangSpine list that I was least likely to pick up, and the one that got most reaction when I posted the list.

I was needing some heftier nonfiction this morning (not in the mindset for gentle/relaxing!) and oh my goodness - it‘s SUCH a good read. Proper page-turnery rage-inducing nf.

And I‘m going to have to check out his Wind of Change podcast too. Cos WHAT?

monalyisha Oh, I love posts like this! I‘m not necessarily one to read outside of my comfort zone, even when it‘s recommended to me (🙈), so I admire your openness and gumption! 2y
Mitch It‘s sooooooo good! 2y
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rockpools
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My #AuldLangSpine shortlist is starting to come through! I‘ll decide what exactly I‘m going to read in January, but this is my first batch of library holds.

Empire - I‘ve heard only good about!
Sympathy- sounds tough, looks good.
Offing - an author I‘ve wanted to read. Beyond that, I know nothing!

I don‘t think I‘d have got as far as picking any of these up without your list, so thank you @Mitch @monalyisha

LeeRHarry The Offing is a solid fave - hope you enjoy it 😊 2y
rockpools @LeeRHarry oooh! 😊 2y
Mitch Ahhh - you‘ve picked three very diverse ones! 👏🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 2y
squirrelbrain I haven‘t read The Offing, but loved the other two! 2y
monalyisha I have The Offing in a cart right now but I‘m trying to stop buying myself stuff. 😅🙈 It looks so good and I love that cover! 2y
54 likes5 comments
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brushlo
Pickpick

maybe my top read of the 2022. if you don‘t think the system is rigged for the mega rich - you will after you read this book. makes you realize you can‘t trust the fda, the justice system and drug manufacturers. unchecked capitalism is destructive. extremely well written.

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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
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The Sacklers had fascinated and repulsed me since I had first time I read about them, which I now think was possibly a piece in Time magazine around the time they first went to court, 2007? This book is exhaustive, authoritative utterly damning to that whole rotten bunch. I wish every doctor that still believes "some people will abuse anything" could read it. Highly recommended. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Amiable I have been giving this book out to everyone I know since I finished it —such an excellent read. 2y
AmyG This is always what I tell someone to read when they ask me about non-fiction. 2y
MommyWantsToReadHerBook @AmyG 💜 great recommendation 2y
MommyWantsToReadHerBook @Amiable I know what you mean, want to recommend it to so many people 2y
40 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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jenniferw88
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I haven't read many 5 ⭐ #letterE books this year! #alphabetgame @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

AllDebooks I need to read this 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I thought I had this one on my list! 2y
CaramelLunacy I just finished this one and agree - it was SO good 2y
shanaqui I've been wondering about reading this lately! It seems really interesting. 2y
47 likes1 stack add4 comments
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CaramelLunacy
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Infuriating, fascinating, heartbreaking.
A deep dive into the history of the Sackler family and the sources of their fortune and philanthropy - most notably the avaricious cupidity that led them to aggressively promote their opioid painkiller Oxycontin even as it led to a tidal wave of addiction, crime and death. And how they essentially dodged all actual consequences.

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anushareflects
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Pickpick

An absolute must read on the family that triggered the deadly opioid epidemic in the US. A brilliantly researched work which is riveting through and through. Full review on www.anushareflects.com

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TalesandTexts
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A very interesting and comprehensive perspective into the lives of the Sackler family; and their role as manufacturers and marketers of Opioids, which contributed to the horrible opioid crisis in the US.

The research is extensive. The author has done a fabulous job at narrating the book.

Some sections do feel a little repetitive and I do feel the book would have been even better if it was a little tighter.

But overall, a good book.

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jenniferw88
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Cortg Timely read! I might have to check it out on audio 😀 3y
jenniferw88 @Cortg bits are difficult to read, but it's worth it in the end! 3y
Cinfhen Great pick!!! I think you‘d really like this book @Cortg but like Jenny said, parts are hard to accept 3y
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BarbaraBB So many prompts 👍🏽 3y
Cortg @jenniferw88 @cinfhen Sold. I placed an audio hold on it 🙂 3y
KarenUK Wow! Prompt slayer! 🙌🙌🙌 3y
73 likes1 stack add6 comments
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AlizaApp
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Brilliantly researched and written history of the Sackler family and the rise of Purdue Pharma. Highly recommended, especially to anyone trying to get a bigger picture understanding about the causes of the opioid crisis.

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Leniverse
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#BeginsWith #Secret

Sort of? I guess strictly speaking it begins with Empire.

@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Close enough! Works for me👏🏻👏🏻 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I want to read this one! 3y
Leniverse @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Same. I mean, I have the book so I should just get to it. 🤪 3y
35 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Lizpixie
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My #6thBookOf2021 for #June is the NF about the Sackler family & their Big Pharma company, Purdue. The discoverers of Oxycodone,their immoral & greedy pushing of the pain drug onto doctors & patients is the main cause of the hysteria surrounding prescription painkillers now. Which has not only caused a lot more addicts but has also affected those of us in severe chronic pain who are slowly being denied the meds we need just to live. #12BooksOf2021

Chelsea.Poole Loved this 3y
Andrew65 Looks good. 3y
kspenmoll Wonderful review! 3y
50 likes2 stack adds3 comments