Review: 'High Society' by Mike Jay

'High Society: Mind-Altering Drugs in History and Culture' by Mike Jay is due to be published on November 8th 2010. Produced in conjunction with the Wellcome Collection's exhibition of the same name (November 11th -- February 2011) in London, the book is an enthralling mixture of text and image that charts the changing role and conceptions of drugs in society and culture from prehistory to the modern day.

Mike Jay has written High Society as an extension to his advisory and curatorial role with the Wellcome Collection's exhibition. Having previously published works like Emperors of Dreams (2000), Blue Tide (1999) and an anthology of drug writing entitled Artificial Paradises (1999) he is well versed in the historical implications of culture and drugs. Whilst this book does touch on some episodes recounted in his earlier works, there is much more attention focused on global drug customs and trade. And coupled with the rich, multicultural imagery that underpins the international elements of his exploration, the book really brings the historical relationships of a High Society to life.