A fascinating and witty dissection of tobacco tracing its development from ritual refreshment to universal habit. Alluring and glamorous, deceitful and deadly, 'La Diva Nicotina' relates the story of this most addictive of plants.
The book traces the history of our relationship with a plant whose only function is to stimulate, from its beginnings amongst the ancient civilisations of South America to the present day.
From Mayan gods to Marlboro Man, from Casanova to President Clinton, the book examines the roles tobacco has played in its long association with men and women, including its functions as spiritual messenger, as sexual ambassador, as a cure for cancer, global currency and ultimately as an assassin.
Ever since the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas, tobacco has been central to western civilisation, and in some cases has been the cause of revolutions and the birth of nations.
The book visits palaces, harems, cancer wards, and the ruined cities of extinct civilisations in search of the secret of mankind's fascination with tobacco. Famous smokers and famous opponents of tobacco over the centuries are presented, together with their arguments for and against the "deceivable weed".
Tobacco has made enemies as well as friends - smokers have been imprisoned, tortured and even executed for lighting up. Tobacco has provoked the malice of tyrants, been the victim of fashions, and has antagonised as many people as it has intoxicated.
'La Diva Nicotina' charts the development of these two camps, showing how tobacco has the capacity to unify men and women of all ranks and races both in its enjoyment and its vilification.
The book follows the journey of a plant from the Peruvian Andes into outer space, from magic potion to icon of popular culture. Is tobacco a temptress or a butcher? Does it enslave or inspire? This is the story of the most popular, the most highly taxed, and the most deadly substance on the planet.
