Readers are talking about “World War-D”. See what they have to say
Check reviews of World War-D from Amazon:
Johann David Renner (Australia): A hugely impressive book, well researched. It belongs to the top of the New York Times best-seller list
Grady Harp, November 12: Looking at the Drug War Face On
Mr. S. K. Allison:
- “ Jeffrey Dhywood has done his research. ” 4 reviewers made a similar statement
- “ My hope is that everyone will read this book and take action. ” 3 reviewers made a similar statement
Alrey4la: “ I just wish policy-makers would put aside their moral posturing and take the time to read this thorough and rigorous treatise… I have read many books on the topic, but if I had to recommend only one, this would be it. ” | 4 reviewers made a similar statement
JC: “World War D is a complete history of drug use, abuse, and policy. If you have not read any other book on this topic but have an interest, this is the book. Mr. Dhywood is like a Mike Wallace on steroids seeking facts and asking the right questions. The material presented is well ordered, showing the naked truth about who profits from the drug trade under the current prohibitionist laws, and the harrowing consequences to human beings throughout the planet. Finally he presents a list of options for a post drug war society with real and humane benefits for everything affected by the current system. A must read for anyone in the education, social services or legislative fields worldwide with an interest in truth and solutions. On the downside, some chapters would have benefited from the inclusion of a glossary of terms for anyone interested in the subject without basic knowledge of brain function. Highly recommended. ”
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15768202
Reviews on http://www.world-war-d.com/
- Peter Stuart Smith(UK): ‘Jeffrey Dhywood is a man with the courage to say what other people are thinking, and the investigative zeal so necessary to acquire a thorough understanding of such a complex and emotive subject. The plain fact of the matter is that prohibition of anything – alcohol, drugs, weapons or anything else which a government decides its subject people should not be allowed to possess – does not work and has never worked. All that a ban achieves is to ensure that demand is stimulated, that organized crime will become heavily involved and, especially in the case of drugs, that the quality of the product will become so varied that every addict will literally risk death every time he or she buys a fix.Jeffrey explains all this, and more, in a clear, logical and concise manner which even an averagely unintelligent politician should be able to grasp. He is is the voice of common sense discussing a subject that most people avoid talking about, and which politicians refuse to discuss at all, relying instead upon blustering rhetoric which simply propounds the misconceptions of this most emotive issue.
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Chris Stevens says:
An excellent, well researched and convincing read with copious references and follow up material. This book should be compulsory reading for all politicians, judges and police chiefs around the globe. The only gripe I have (which applies to the majority of literature on this matter) is the repeated reference to ‘illegal drugs’. There is no such thing as an illegal drug. Some drugs are ‘controlled’ but they are not illegal – a plant , a powder or a liquid cannot be arrested, tried, fined or incarcerated. What is ‘illegal’ is the possession or supply of these controlled substances. As such this whole issue revolves around basic human rights. This may seem to be nit-picking but I feel it is an extremely important distinction which further underpins the whole argument against prohibition as a form of social control.
Also why isn’t this book available through Amazon UK? I had to order mine from the US. Not a problem but availability through Amazon UK / EU would give this book a much deserved higher profile.-
admin says:
Thank you Chris.
I use the term illegal drugs because that’s what they are at present time, which doesn’t change the fact that these substances have been made illegal for no rational and logical reason considering that the most dangerous psychoactive substances are legal.
The ebook version should be available thru Amazon-UK
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Paul von Hartmann says:
“I try in “World War-D” to understand where such attitudes come from, how we got where we are, how we are still there after so many years of hopeless failure, how we can accelerate the move beyond such attitudes.”
A simple polar shift in values will end prohibitionism immediately: Cannabis is unique and essential to human existence on this planet.
Because it is both unique and essential, Cannabis in any form is beyond the rightful jurisdiction of any court. In any society in which the freedom of religion is respected, our freedom to farm “every herb bearing seed” is the first test of religious freedom.
Without the freedom to farm, there is no “free market economy.” Induced scarcity and government regulation of an unique and essential agricultural resource warps the economic values that determine human social values. Our society has been addicted to toxic, anti-natural, unevenly distributed, finite substitutes for Cannabis since before we were born. Human values reflect that addiction.
Unless humankind learns to appreciate the true value of Cannabis very soon, time will run out for a mobilized global response to climate change. “Global broiling” by increasing UV-B radiation and increasing radiation from Fukushima have accelerated the urgent need to prioritize.
Political reality is trumped by ecological reality. If humans don’t plant Cannabis as fast as we can, in evey soil and climate condition to which it may be able to adapt; then a few wasted growing seasons from now, the the “drug war” debate over ‘marijuana’ will be revealed as uselessly “rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.”
It is sadly ironic to read former UNODC chief Antonio Maria Costa’s ask, “What is wrong with people who, when in office say one thing, when out of office say its opposite?”
I would reply to his question by quoting his previous observation, “I am afraid this would be dangerously naive.” for a person in your position of responsibility.
And pointing out that while “…the set of issues you raised are a bit more complicated than you seem to realize…” the solutions are simple. It is the problems created by prohibition that are complex. -
Mrs.RatsRectum says:
Latin and South American countries should legalize, but so should the U.S. They’re probably too afraid of the U.S. to outright legalize. The next best thing might be for them to have a Dutch-style coffeeshop system, whereby the national level makes enforcement an absolute zero priority and local governments are allowed to grant tolerance permits like the Dutch gedoogvergunning. They’ll have more tourist money than they currently have, said on a whole on a national basis. Surrounding countries will see that and fill in the empty spaces to cash in. People who never thought of booking a vacation in Costa Rica or somewhere will be saving up and dreaming in anticipation of the freedom to walk into a coffeeshop as an adult and buy and partake without being considered a criminal for responsible use.
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MG WRIGHT says:
I believe in the healing power of NATURE! Nature has provided the world with all the nutrition and medicine we need, with just a little bit of help from the medical profession, politics, and organized crime. Legalized therapeutic use of marijuana is the first step in rebuilding the drug culture, with the cultivation and home use of COCA and OPIUM following close behind. I revere the cannabis plant, the coca tree, and the opium poppy as gifts to the world from Nature. I want to know more about these crops and the issues that surround them. Thank you!
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GHEHIOUECHE says:
Hi,
Well I discovered your book, and would like to propose you to make its french version of it. I’m not a professionnal translator, but I’m an activist for drugs policy reform. I have no budget for it, but I’m actually in contact with a french editing company and I’m just finishing the publishing of “legalize it !” written by Francis Caballero (wellknown lawyer).If you’re interested by my proposal, I hope to get asap the raw files of the book…
Let’s keep in touch.Best regards,
FARId Ghehiouèche -
FGMW says:
A real eye-opener
Let me start with a disclaimer: I am a Londoner grandmother, and when the 60s counter-culture hit, I was teaching in a private school and caring for my baby daughter, so I didn’t get much more from that time than some strange weedy whiffs on the beaches of Brighton on the week-ends. “World War-D” was a gift from friends who probably thought that I should know better. I had never given much thought to the topic and basically bought into the official propaganda that drugs are evil and drug users are degenerates. Living in London, I have quite a few friends who occasionally indulge in anything from marijuana to cocaine, all while living perfectly normal productive lives, but I never quite connected the dots, even as my chain-smoking alcoholic husband was drinking himself to near-death. Besides, the UK is far more permissive than the US, and we have been spared the judicial excesses that seem to be the norm there. The UK is not Mexico or Columbia either, and narco-violence is virtually inexistent.
So, reading “World War-D” was a real eye-opener. The accumulation of factual evidence is overwhelming at times (at least for me), but the book is well documented, well argued and convincing. The research is rigorous and impressive, backed by abundant references. Little did I suspect the extent of the damage inflicted by the War on Drugs in many parts of the world. The author exposes the hypocrisy of the US government and its shoddy role on both sides of the issue since at least World War II, starting with Lucky Luciano and the Italian mafia, all the way to Ahmed Walid Karzai and through the Iran-Contra affair. He clearly demonstrates the disconnect between the official propaganda and reality, denouncing prohibitionism as an alibi for racial discrimination, fueling the shocking US incarceration rate, disproportionately targeting the African-American and Latino communities.
Mr. Dhywood does a great job at demonstrating the ultimate futility of the War on Drugs, as prohibitionism creates an illegal market place in a market economy, with all the violence and other catastrophic consequences attached to it, at a staggering economic, social and human cost to the world, with dangerous destabilizing effects in many parts of the world. The current trends in the illegal drugs marketplace don’t leave much space for hope that prohibitionism will ever be more successful.
As a neophyte, I found very useful the second section of the book dedicated to the psychoactive substances and how they affect the brain. Positioning illicit drugs among other psychoactive substances such as alcohol, tobacco and prescription drugs gives a better perspective of the issues raised by the use of psychoactive substances in general. It clearly demonstrates the arbitrariness of the prohibition of certain substances while the vast majority of psychoactive substances are legally available, with varying degrees of control. The critical role and function of alcohol in Western culture is brilliantly explained.
But Mr. Dhywood doesn’t stop at telling us what is wrong with prohibitionism. In the last section of the book, he makes a strong case for controlled legalization of all psychoactive substances, with varying degree of regulation based on the substance and its intended mode of administration, focusing on reducing harmful use.
Perhaps if more people like me could be convinced to read this book, public opinion would start shifting away from the official propaganda and take a more critical look at these very damaging policies. The book gives a very good overview of all the aspects of the topic, while presenting constructive, credible alternatives. I highly recommend it. -
Eugenio Clariond Reyes says:
I have just finished reading your very interesting book, “World War D” and I send you my comments, please find them enclosed.
THE GOOD.
Your research is excellent; you have information that overwhelmingly demonstrates the futility and stupidity of prohibitionism and the tremendous human, social and financial costs that it implies, with no positive result. Mexico and our society is the best example of the negative effects of this human mistake, we hope that we can do something to change the current state of events because in many areas of our country prohibitionism is making life very difficult and dangerous as a consequence of these government policies, many of the most valuable people are just leaving us.
THE BAD.
I feel that you spend a lot of lines or pages on information which is not based on facts or proven data; “it is rumored that” “some sources believe that” and other statements of similar nature, that are not certain but rely on gossip or rumors and are not necessary to prove your point.
THE UGLY.
I have to confess that I do not like the name, on a book shelf it would be impossible to guess what it is about, yours is a serious study and the title is more like that of an essay by a high school kid.
And the worst is the drawing at the cover it looks more like a comic book than an academic investigation and effort.-
Tom Korman says:
I agree on your jacket comments. It almost looks like a comic novel instead of a serious look at a serious problem. When you reprint the book, please consider changing the jacket treatment.
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Thomas Miller says:
A most articulate indictment of the War on Drugs, with a realistic pathway out of it.
As you keep turning the pages, the more you learn about one of the most disastrous and the longest lasting US policy failure, the more you want to scream: “Enough already!” Jeffrey Dhywood does a very good and methodical job at dismantling this colossal fiasco, spelling out the humongous toll it has and is still exacting on the world, explaining why it is doomed to failure. Mr Dhywood cleverly breaks down his book in three sections, starting with an historic overview and the current state and evolution of the War on Drugs. The 2nd section deals with the neurochemistry of mind alteration and a detailed review of the major psychoactive substances, with a special emphasis on alcohol and its dominant status in Western culture. The 3rd section offers a critical analysis of prohibitionism, laying out the foundation for a convincing case for global controlled legalization.
Altogether, World War-D is one of these rare books that get its point across with force and clarity and make you want to get up and do something about this seemingly intractable problem.
Accolades and congratulations on your book have been made by many others here and are well deserved. The crowning feature of your work is its provision of a solution. Your book has had a powerful impact on me because it put the pieces of a puzzle together and added so much more. I would like to say your book convinced me, and it has, but there were other factors witnessed over the past years that had led me to your conclusions long ago. Such as: years and years hearing the same canned messages from the drug fighting agencies that were pulled out of the, “Public Statements” file with blank spaces to write in the name of the current drug that has now reached epidemic proportions, or the arrests that only are the tip of the iceberg, with so much left to be done. Demonization of the evils of drug use that should result in masses of slathering drug destroyed people laying in the streets, followed by statements to the effect that many drug users lead normal lives and are undetectable. Police photos showing police wearing thousands of dollars worth of military gear with only the eye balls uncovered, carrying weapons capable of leveling a city block,looking like they expected a nuclear blast, and standing next to their captives, who look like drugs are the least of their problems, and probably provide the only source of satisfaction life provides. Then have to listen to the police public relations division, describe the courage and bravery of these self sacrificing officers who brave death every day. Only to research the statistics on death by occupation and find that law enforcement doesn’t even make the list. Or be called by a professional phone soliciting services asking for donations to the police fund so the police will have more benefits. This is particularly enjoyable when both you and your wife retire after 35+ years each, with none. Or watching the whole State go into a military hero style funeral for a police officer who has died in the line of duty chasing dangerous marijuana sellers, and reading the same day the names only of a dozen construction workers who fell off a roof or stepped into a machine. Then seeing several pages of microprint listings of confiscated goods from drug convictions, and noticing that almost none of the houses look worth more than 85k, and the cars at least 10 years old. Then wondering who are the real victims of our laws. Or noticing with shock that the local police are now able to keep the money generated by these drug convictions for use in their annual buget. Or the newspaper article featuring a local lawyer who is a State Legislator, make a powerful argument for the expansion of drug fighting efforts and then to look up his ad in the yellow pages and note he features drug crimes as a major area of expertise in his practice. Or hear the President of the United States make statements about taking action to review the appropriateness of the drug laws, then note the absence of any followup, and the emphasis on job creation and learning that the drug fighting efforts in the U.S. account for 675,000 jobs. Or the TV shows that feature a police raid on a highschool, resulting in students being wrestled to the floor and handcuffed, roughly hassled and hearded off to the jail, all a planned demonstration of what will happen to them if they get involved with drugs. Or the shows that seem to get a perverse pleasure out of depicting poor, helpless, defenceless, people litterally attacked by a squadron of military equipped police, bashing down doors of very modest homes in the middle of the night rousting a sleeping couple and two small children, handcuffing the parents roughly on the floor, and bashing the walls of the house in search of drugs. As though, seeing massive brute force crushing little people was entertainment. Or being called up for jury duty and presented with a legislative mandated drug case which denies the accused trial by jury, and listen to half of the potential jurrors make elequent statements of opposition to the laws and the social policy they represent, and refuse to serve, myself included. Or reading day after day the details of white collar criminals stealing millions from ordinary citizens then being given three years, and a fine, while on the same day some poor kid who never had a chance get fifteen years for possessing and distrubuting a particular controlled substance previously declared extra dangerous by the State Legislatue. The list goes on and on. These events that have dominated the news for years should convince anyone, whether they have read your book or not, that something is very wrong with our system of justice. A massive extortion system supported by government seem a more appropriate description.
But these things have been very well documented in your work and despite their convincing rational factually supported case their remains the sad fact that no one really seems to care. Indeed, after reading your book and taking much time to convince my wife of its merrits, hoping to convert her, an astonishing and, in my mind, the most significant critique of you work was offered by her. One day, after a rather long discourse on my part emphasizing some of the more powerful facts regarding the injustice of our drug fighting system, she suddenly said, “look, I just don’t care. I don’t use drugs, am not interested in using them and never have been interested, I just don’t care what happens to those who do.” I was stunned. My wife is not an uncarring person so this kind of statement from her was inexplicable. I said nothing, pausing for a long while, then feeling forced to accept the fact that she had uttered the most significant statement of all.
So, will it ever change. I think of Ghandi,”We can talk all we want but nothing will change until this gets to the people.” “…, I want to change their minds.” Rewatch the motion picture, review the things he did to expose the injustice of the British,.. the long line of white robed Indian citizens beaten by British police and documented by press coverage, etc. A thousand children of legislators and other power people in a line with a marijuana joint demanding arrest by federal police…and filmed by all news channels. ????
How do you make the right people care ?