Tobacco in History

Jordan Goodman traces the historical transformation of tobacco from its origins in Amerindian shamanism as a spiritual substance to its evolution into a global commodity driving modern capitalism.

The book combines scholarly research with primary sources to examine tobacco's journey from the rough pipe and cigar to the modern cigarette, exploring larger themes including colonialism, consumerism, medical discourse, and multinational enterprise.

Goodman draws on multiple disciplines to reveal the complex web of dependence and relationships surrounding this controversial commodity.