Drugging a Nation: The Story of China and the Opium Curse

"Drugging a Nation: The Story of China and the Opium Curse" by Samuel Merwin is a historical exploration of the opium trade's ruinous consequences for China and its population in the early 20th century. The book, rooted in Merwin's firsthand observations and interviews from his travels in China, sets the stage by highlighting the critical state of opium production and consumption, referencing a 1906 edict from the Imperial Court that acknowledges the seriousness of the problem. Merwin emphasizes the sheer number of opium addicts, as reported by officials and observers. Through raw storytelling, the tale reveals the far-reaching social, economic, and ethical damage caused by opium, painting it as a national tragedy ingrained in China's farming habits and people. Merwin's depiction of the crisis conveys an awareness of the need for significant change and resolve from the Chinese people and their leaders to combat the opium problem.