Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Patrick Radden Keefe offers a scathing, compelling account of the Sackler dynasty and their creation of one of America’s most notorious families. The book Empire of Pain takes an in-depth look at how this powerful family rose to wealth and power through the manufacture and marketing of addictive painkillers—a business that has generated billions for them while contributing to the opioid epidemic now ravaging communities across North America. Keefe tells riveting stories about the Sacklers’ feuds, reversals, and rivalries as well as their Machiavellian maneuverings with politicians, scientists, journalists, regulators…and each other. Based on extensive reporting and interviews with many key players in this story—including members of the clan itself—Empire state paints a multi-layered portraitof greed, hubris, genius (or perhaps insanity), philanthropy unique among billionaires .
For who is this book for ?
This book is for people who are interested in finding out more about the Sackler family and their role in creating America’s opioid epidemic. It offers a scathing, compelling account of how this powerful dynasty rose to wealth and power through the manufacture and marketing of addictive painkillers.
Pros :
- The author has done an excellent job at researching and painting a clear picture of the Sackler dynasty.
- The book is well written and easy to read, despite its dense subject matter.
- It provides a much needed critical look at the role that this powerful family has played in creating America’s opioid epidemic.
Cons :
- It may be too dense for some readers.
- It doesn’t focus enough on the victims of the opioid epidemic.
- The writing might be dry for some people
Learn more about the author
Patrick Radden Keefe is a staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of Chasing Ambition. He has also written for Slate, Grantland, Harper’s Magazine, Foreign Affairs, and other publications. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 2012 for his coverage of financial improprieties on Wall Street. The book Empire of Pain by Patrick RaddenKeefe tells the story of how the Sackler dynasty rose to power through their creation and marketing if addictive painkillers which have generated billions for them while contributing to opioid epidemic now ravaging communities across North America.
Reader Reviews
“Keefe has written a riveting and damning account of one of the most mysterious, talented and ruthless families in America.”
“A devastating portrait of a family and its fortune built on addiction, lies, and human misery. Patrick Radden Keefe’s Empire of Pain is a searing indictment of the Sackler dynasty—a pharmaceutical empire that has profited from the peddling of addictive opioids across America.”
“I was absolutely blown away by this book. It is one of the most incisive, well-researched books I’ve read in a long time—maybe ever. Keefe has done an amazing job of tracing the origins and evolution of the Sackler dynasty and their role in creating today’s opioid crisis.”
“Keefe’s relentlessly reported book is a damning portrait of the Sackler family and their role in creating America’s opioid epidemic.”
