American Overdose

By Chris McGreal,

Book cover of American Overdose: The Opioid Tragedy in Three Acts

Book description

LONGLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING 2019

A devastating portrait of America's opioid painkiller epidemic - the deadliest drug crisis in US history.

One hundred and fifty Americans are killed each day by the opioid epidemic. But, as Chris McGreal reveals it was an avoidable tragedy driven by…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked American Overdose as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

McGreal’s book fell a bit under the radar, but in my mind, it’s one of the best books of reportage on the opioid epidemic. As a reporter for The Guardian, McGreal covered the drug crisis for years. American Overdose connects all the dots that caused it. The book starts out, “Even as a teenager, Henry Vinson wanted to be an undertaker,” then takes flight from the hollows of West Virginia to the halls of Congress. McGreal is a tenacious reporter and a superb writer. He’s one of the first reporters to lay bare the Food and Drug Administration’s cozy…

Want books like American Overdose?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 81 books like American Overdose.

Browse books like American Overdose

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in chronic pain, substance abuse, and the opioid crisis?

Chronic Pain 13 books
Substance Abuse 142 books