High Price

A Neuroscientist's Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society

By: Carl Hart

Narrated by: J.D. Jackson

A pioneering neuroscientist shares his story of growing up in one of Miami's toughest neighborhoods and how it led him to his groundbreaking work in drug addiction.

As a youth, Carl Hart didn't realize the value of school; he studied just enough to stay on the basketball team. At the same time, he was immersed in street life. Today he is a cutting-edge neuroscientist - Columbia University's first tenured African American professor in the sciences - whose landmark, controversial research is redefining our understanding of addiction.

In this provocative and eye-opening memoir, he recalls his journey of self-discovery and weaves his past and present. Hart goes beyond the hype of the antidrug movement as he examines the relationship among drugs, pleasure, choice, and motivation, both in the brain and in society. His findings shed new light on common ideas about race, poverty, and drugs, and explain why current policies are failing.

Though Hart escaped neighborhoods that were dominated by entrenched poverty and the knot of problems associated with it, he has not turned his back on his roots. Determined to make a difference, he tirelessly applies his scientific research to help save real lives. But balancing his former street life with his achievements today has not been easy - a struggle he reflects on publicly for the first time.

A powerful story of hope and change, of a scientist who has dedicated his life to helping others, High Price will alter the way we think about poverty, race, and addiction - and how we can effect change.

©2013 Carl Hart and Maia Szalavitz (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Does what it says it does

At first, I was going to give it 4 stars bc I wasn't expecting a memoir, but when I abandoned that expectation, I really enjoyed and appreciated Dr.Hart's perspective. I admittedly had my own ignorance and misconceptions about illegal drugs and this audio book helped change my mind. btw I highly recommend listening to this book while working out. it's fast paced and frank in its delivery of scientific, social, and personal insights. I also hope any typos in this review don't detract from what I'm saying, as I'm typing on my tiny phone screen while on the elliptical machine. cheers!

An objective look at drugs and drug policy

Dr. Carl Hart shares his personal development from the economically disadvantaged Miami neighborhood from which he came to the monumental status he achieved through his post doctoral work on drug and addiction science. His objective take on drugs and drug policy highlights the misinformation campaign around drugs that creates a disproportionately negative affect in the black communities in America. Starting before drug policies were written in America, the misinformation campaign targets black Americans when a new drug is discovered. Powder cocaine, Marijuana, alcohol dyring prohibition, heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamine all have had tired, recycled arguments based in anecdotal fear mongering to perpetuate the over policing of black and low socioeconomic communities. Governmental and trusted organizations have perpetuated these myths since before anyone alive was born. if we continue to ignore these intolerable policies, we will continue the cycle of oppressing and dehumanizing our fellow Americans.

A profound research and understanding

Dr carl removes the myths from Drugs that we all used to believe or were brainwashed by the media. Very insightful.

great information and story

loved it. it was a great story and eye opening perception on drugs specifically crack cocaine

Amazing book and author

Inspiring book with moving personal experiences, struggles, education, personal growth, society and drug science. Must read for anyone interested in learning the truth about addiction and drug use.

Drug use is not criminal

Amazing book. Very informative and posses the real issues with drugs not the media issues. Recommend to anyone in law enforcement, social work, drug rehabilitation and psychology.

Great Story but I wished there was more science

I think I didn't realize before listening that the book would be a lot about his life story. I would've liked to learn more about the science of drugs but was pleasantly surprised with how he connected his life to the story and history of drugs :) it was quit eye opening.

A must read.

Having grown up in Brooklyn during the height of the "war one drugs", I identified with the author's experiences. This book is up there with The New Jim Crow as essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the intersection between drug use, drug policy, race, and class.

I loved this read/listen. I learned so much.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I recommend this to everyone. We all have opinions but unfortunately they're often based on misunderstandings or misinformation. This book is a revelation and values science & evidence based approach while taking into account a 'context' and framing of issues surrounding 'drugs' and the 'war on drugs'. Lots of food for thought here. Plus the narrator is excellent. His voice is so compelling, I bothered to look him us to eventually listen to other books he's narrated.

What was one of the most memorable moments of High Price?

Learning the discrepancy and unjust sentencing that occurs with crack vs cocaine given there's no chemical difference in addictive potential of both substances. But of course, who does it affect most? This book was a wake up call for me to another kind of injustice we often forget.

Which scene was your favorite?

Dr. Carl Hart's story is honest and revealing. I wish policy makers were open minded to take the issues raised here seriously into account.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It wasn't that kind of book so much for me, but I found some of the scenes compelling, where you realize just how crazy situations can get sometimes, and how being at the wrong place at the wrong time can be horribly life-altering. Other parts made me wish I had such mentors as he had.

Any additional comments?

This is an important book that many of us who pretend or think we know anything about drugs, policy, or addiction should read. Get the low-down from a scientist who comes from a background with a particularly clear perspective to shed light on the nuances of this country's so called "war on drugs".

Great for understanding Drug misconceptions

Thank you Carl Hart for writing a novel that can help many individuals understand more about drugs and the effects of the drug war from a more rational and research driven perspective. This is a must read for those who would like to hear a rational perspective not discussed in most general public education and the popular media.