Speed, Ecstasy, Ritalin: The science of amphetamines, by Leslie Iversen

AS A distinguished pharmacologist with experience in both the pharmaceutical industry and policy-making, Iversen uses his broad knowledge to good effect in this study of amphetamines, the third on psychoactive drugs that he has written for OUP. Instead of indulging in the simplistic dichotomies that have plagued some writings on drugs – illegal versus legal, harmful versus benign, hedonistic use versus medical – he has produced something more sophisticated. This is an analysis of the historical and contemporary use of various amphetamines by geographically, socially and psychologically diverse users, including politicians, professional cyclists, single mothers and those suffering from attention…