Sam Quinones' Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic offers a thorough exploration of the opioid crisis, blending investigative journalism with personal stories. Praised for its detailed research and compelling narrative, critics note it occasionally overextends in scope. Overall, it’s a vital, engaging resource on a critical issue.

Readers interested in investigative journalism and social issues would enjoy Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic. This book suits fans of Beth Macy's Dopesick and Johann Hari's Chasing the Scream, offering a detailed exploration of the opioid crisis with compelling narratives and in-depth analysis.

Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic by Sam Quinones explores the rise of prescription opioids and black tar heroin, detailing how societal and medical changes combined with corporate greed to create a devastating drug crisis. The book uses profiles of individuals and communities to illustrate the human impact, from Portsmouth, Ohio, to Mexico's heroin traffickers, and the subsequent efforts to combat the epidemic. Topics include substance abuse, addiction, and resulting fatalities.

Informative / Dark / Unnerving / Challenging / Emotional

- The book Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction in 2015.
- Sam Quinones, the author, spent over three years researching and writing Dreamland to uncover the multifaceted nature of America's opioid crisis.
- The title "Dreamland" refers to a public swimming pool in Portsmouth, Ohio, which ironically symbolizes communal connection and a sense of loss amidst the opioid epidemic.

**Sam Quinones**  
A freelance American journalist and author with extensive experience reporting on the Mexican drug wars and the opiate epidemic. His deep understanding of both Mexican trafficking operations and the American opiate crisis guides the narrative.

**The Man**  
An early black tar heroin pioneer who played a key role in introducing heroin to new markets across the United States before facing legal consequences. His actions are central to understanding the spread of heroin and its impact during the opiate crisis.

Sam Quinones

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