`Much can be learned from Dr. Kennedy's thorough description of the socioeconomic and political issues surrounding Qat in Yemen that can be applied to questions of stimulant use and abuse.' Dr. Sidney Cohen, Former Director of the Division of Narcotic Addiction and Drug Abuse, NIMH, Washington D.C., USA `John Kennedy ... Read moreis an excellent researcher. In his latest book he has broached an important and timely topic: mood altering substances and social life centering around them. The society is Yemen - traditional, troubled, unusual and interesting; the drug is 'qat' - a charmed leaf chewed by large sections of the population. The research is thourough, carried out by a large team, sensitive to the complexity of Yemen and the importance of the subject. Kennedy reports the findings of many researchers and summarizes the state of play on mood altering substances and the medicinal, botanical, and anthropological research concerned with them. It is a valuable book which describes Yemeni society from the perspective of 'qat'. Those interested in the area or subject will find it essential.' Nur Yalman, Professorr of Social Anthropolgy, Harvard University '... an ambitious and model interdisciplinary study ... The book like its subject, is a stimulant that brings heightened lucidity and mental excitement, followed by meditative contemplation ... A bench -mark study for medical and cultural anthropology as well as for drug policy makers.' Michael M.J. Fischer, Assoc. Prof. of Anthropology, Rice University, Texas 'I recommend this book as good reading and as an exemplary model of an interdisciplinary ethnobotanical study.' G. Prance Show Less