Human History on Drugs, Sam Kelly
Human History on Drugs, Sam Kelly
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Human History on Drugs
An Utterly Scandalous but Entirely Truthful Look at History Under the Influence

Author: Sam Kelly

Narrator: Joe Scalora

Unabridged: 7 hr 55 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 07/08/2025

Synopsis

A lively, hilarious, and entirely truthful look at the druggie side of history’s most famous figures, including Shakespeare, George Washington, the Beatles, and more

Did you know that Alexander the Great was a sloppy drunk and William Shakespeare was a stoner? Or how about the fact that Steve Jobs believed taking LSD helped him create the Apple computer, or that Sigmund Freud loved cocaine so much he took it all the time and prescribed it to his patients?

In Human History on Drugs, Sam Kelly introduces us to the history our teachers never told us, offering up irreverent and insightful commentary as he sheds light on some truly bizarre aspects of the historical characters we only thought we knew. With chapters spanning from Ancient Greece (“The Oracle of Delphi Was Huffing Fumes”) to modern times (“Carl Sagan Got Astronomically High”), Kelly's research covers all manner of eras, places, and, of course, drugs.

History is rife with drug use and drug users, and Human History on Drugs takes us through those highs (pun intended) and lows on a witty and entertaining ride that uncovers their mind-boggling impact on our past.

About The Author

Sam Kelly, a history grad from Stanford University, is on the autism spectrum and his interest and passion for history has become an almost physical compulsion. He loves to dig up forgotten and weird stories from the past and spends hours uncovering every last stubborn detail. As a deep believer that history can be as exciting as any Marvel movie, Sam aims to—whether on TikTok or through a book—make history both engaging and accessible to all. Human History on Drugs is his first book.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Marie on July 15, 2025

History books have never been my go-to reading material because much of it was about boring events that had no relevance to me or anyone around me. However, this book was anything but boring. Going beyond the obvious subject matter, this book also made a point about what gets lost when certain parts......more

Goodreads review by Kate on July 18, 2025

As an avid history fan, I found Human History on Drugs utterly readable, engaging, and unexpectedly fun. Sam Kelly delivers a quirky and offbeat take on history, weaving together fascinating stories of how various substances have shaped human civilization. The book strikes a great balance between be......more

Goodreads review by kylie on March 27, 2025

4.5 rounded up to 5 ⭐️ This book was so fun and engaging. I subscribe to the idea that history should be taught in the form of hot gossip, because we'd all be better at retaining it then. Sam Kelly delivered the hot goss. It could've even been longer. I was captivated. **I received my copy from Netga......more

Goodreads review by Dan on May 19, 2025

My thanks to NetGalley and Penquin Group Dutton for an advance copy of this book that profiles famous people throughout history not by achievements, not by their good acts, nor their infamy, but how pharmaceuticals, natural, lab made, or distilled effected their lives and in turn affected the world.......more

Goodreads review by Joanie on July 27, 2025

"Human History on Drugs" promises an expansive and captivating journey through the myriad ways psychoactive substances have shaped human civilization. And for the most part, it delivers on the "expansive" part, sweeping across millennia and continents with impressive breadth. From ancient shamanic r......more

Quotes

"Sam Kelly makes a promise to readers that he doesn’t glorify the use of drugs or alcohol here, a promise he’s kept inside “Human History on Drugs.” Instead, he’s honest about how such substances have affected history. He’s fun, flippant, and playful about it, and he invites readers to engage in that pure lack of stuffiness.... Readers will be sympathetic while enjoying some of the stories here, astounded at others, and gleeful at the ones that are humorously, wonderfully outrageous." —Bookworm Sez

"The book covers 40 historical figures and their penchant for getting stoned, high and hammered." —New York Post

"A nonstop, eye-popping panorama... Besides serving up a multitude of entertaining stories, Kelly provides genuine food for thought about the medical and spiritual applications of psychedelics. Brimming with enthusiasm for history’s nooks and crannies, this charms." —Publishers Weekly

“Human History on Drugs brings famous historical figures and eras to life in a way we’ve never seen them before. You’ll never look at history the same way again.” —Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author

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