“When Crack Was King” is the sociological, economic, and political account of the crack cocaine era. Ramsey combines historical facts with narratives of several people whose lives were ravaged by crack cocaine. Each one of these characters has different relationships with crack cocaine. There is the child of an addict, a dealer, an addict, and a politician, each of whom present a different perspective on this era and its aftermath. If you’ve read “The New Jim Crow” or similar works, many of the facts about how the war on drugs criminalized Black people are the same. What does stand out though is that Ramsey takes an in-depth look at how the United States government essentially supported the infiltration of cocaine, which is transformed into crack cocaine, to intentionally damage Black communities. This book is a solid addition to the rank of nonfiction books about social and racial justice.

An excellent read with a blend of personal stories and overall reporting of the crack epidemic. As a rural Canadian child during the height of the epidemic, I have no personal memories of the depth of the crisis during this era - however, I think the book is accessible for people coming to the subject like myself. The different perspectives of the personal story portion is excellent and gives a visceral, well-rounded view of the crisis.
A fascinating look at addiction and the failed "war on drugs".

Thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with an arc for review.

Very interesting literary non fiction book about the crack epidemic. Reminded me of "Warmth of Other Suns" in that it follows a set amount of people and gives their life stories over the years. I like how the time is set for each section of the book with what is happening politically about "the war on drugs", it really helps fully understand the times. Would definitely recommend this book to others.

Fantastic must-read book if you want to better understand the crack epidemic/War on Drugs - something I thought (as a sociologist) I understood pretty well, but I still learned a ton from this. Very well-written, and the inclusion of stories of people who experienced the epidemic firsthand made this truly special and incredibly impactful. (Even the acknowledgments were moving!) Will be sharing with my college students for sure.

This was an entertaining and informative read. I found myself sharing what I learned from this book with those around me. I recommend it to fans of good and highly readable non-fiction.

I was familiar with the history of the crack epidemic before this book. That said, if there is one book you should read about it - make it this one. The history is there and accurate. In addition Ramsay has woven in the stories of how the epidemic impacted individuals by following four people through their experiences in some of the worst hit areas. These stories resonated with me as so familiar to stories of others I have known. One small quibble is that it doesn't show the long term health decline, usually in kidney disease and failure for former addicts and the impact of these early deaths, often following late reunions, by their children and grandchildren. The trauma continues. To understand it better start here, and then talk to people where you live.

THIS IS THE BOOK... Absolutely phenomenal!

Kudos to Donovan X. Ramsey for writing the book! The book that I personally needed to read and that which I know will have a lasting impact on others who pick it up as well. Thank you to NetGalley for sharing a copy and allowing me to read it in exchange for an honest review. If you haven't gotten your copy yet, what are you waiting for?

I grew up in the 80s and 90s LA County and the crack epidemic was not just something we read or talked about, but actually lived. I recall keenly the start of the DARE program and officers visiting my kindergarten classroom. I recall the war on drugs and the Regan's approach. I remember all of the programming (after school specials and anti-drug campaigns). But, I also remember seeing crack vials on random walks home from school. And the introduction of the terms 'crackhead' and later 'crack baby'. I remember the LOOK that came with use (the weight loss, the worn out bodies)... all of that. I wasn't a teen myself but I saw the effects of crack on the body, on the person, on the family, on the community.

One of the things that I loved most about When Crack was King is that not only was it the most comprehensive and thoughtful exploration of an almost forgotten era, but it is real, raw, and relatable. It is compelling in that the author uses four very real individuals to share in their perspective from that time. And I'd argue that we all have known or have known of someone who falls into one of those categories (user, dealer, politician, etc).

This book is an exploration of a time period that needed further inquiry and it is done in great taste and with reliable research. With a timeline that goes as far back as the civil rights movement and extends into present-day struggles of mass incarceration and police brutality, When Crack Was King nails it. I am very pleased with this book and highly recommend it!

Donovan X. Ramsey chronicles the stories of a wide net of characters in this thought-provoking, enraging, and in-depth exploration of the crack epidemic's destruction of urban communities I received an ARC through Netgalley prior to it's release July 11th, 2023.
And my GOD will I be the first in line to get a physical copy on that date.
I usually take a while to get through non-fiction books in this genre. Historical/Political/Cultural books have a tendency to be kind of dry, in my opinion, so there was a risk when I requested this one that I may be nursing it for a while. I finished it in two days.
Short chapters makes a huge difference for sure, but the way that this book was structured kept you intrigued the entire way through. This book had to have required a wide net of research-- Donovan Ramsey dives into the intentional integration of crack into Black and Brown neighborhood, its origins story beginning from planthood, and the political and personal ramifications that its arrival had on urban communities across the country. But not only is this incredible research that is attainable to the reader, engaging, and doesn't come off as dry or repetitive, there are personal stories of individuals impacted by the epidemic from all sides. Not only did this give context and a personal narrative to attach to, it also broke up the research really fluidly.
From a teenage abuse victim who turns to sex work and crack to survive the streets to a young crack dealer in the 80s to a local politician tasked with solving the city's problems in the rise of the crack epidemic-- this book pulled every punch for the reader and explored all sides of this time in history.
I truly loved this book and thought it was wonderfully crafted in every way. With such important stories that should hold weight in the mind of every person in the U.S, I was so happy that their voice in Donovan Ramsey was one with intention, care, and a whole lot of literary skill.

After watching SNOWFALL I knew I had to read this book. What I appreciate the most about this book is the synthesis of context of time period, political climate and repercussions braided in between the life stories of the people we follow, the very life changing affects that this had on thousands of people, primarily Black that to this day casts a very dark shadow on how we remember it.

It reads as very comprehensive, direct and with heart. It's a hard job to walk the line in writing about something that is obviously so devastating without pulling out knives and curses. Ramsey has given us as straight a telling that is humanly possible.

The eighties and early nineties were rife with the “war on drugs” and I, like every other kid, went through the DARE program and while I heard the commentary about crack, I was really too young and too removed to understand it. This book examines that time and how the epidemic started by following four individuals caught up in it and the poor public policy that surrounded it. This is meticulously researched and really well written and does an excellent job of demonstrating how the social and personal circumstances led these individuals to become involved with the crack epidemic. I appreciated the final chapter which details how really personal and difficult the writing process was for the author. I highly recommend this book.

I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley

Wow. This sounded like a book that was important, but that I might not enjoy. It is, in fact, important, but I did enjoy this very much. It told the hard stuff--including a LOT I did not know or realize. But it was so well humanized with the stories of real people that it was in fact very accessible and a good read. Really, everyone should know the history that is in this book, and see its actual effects on real people, to get some idea of what happened in this country. Trust me--if you are not already an expert in the history of crack, crime, inner cities and US drug policy, there is a lot you do not yet know. This book will fix some of that. Highly recommended.

I knew about the crack epidemic, but didn't know anything in-depth. This book changed that. Set up with chapters that talk about the wider context in America, but focusing on personal stories of those who had their lives affected by the drug, this book humanizes America's first drug epidemic. It's sure to be of interest for those interested in public policy, memoirs or biographies, and general non-fiction.

This book is very very good. A standout debut author with skill in storytelling and the craft of writing. I loved the mix of reporting and history and then personal stories of those who survived the epidemic. I wished there was a touch more history and less antidotes at points. Overall very very very good!

Donovan Ramsey's excellent book "When Crack Was King" seeks to humanize and reframe the crack epidemic of the 80's and 90's during the current opioid epidemic and does so with a well researched history of crack and its spread of terror and addiction interspersed with personal stories from those most affected by it. This is a book that is much needed to reframe the narrative and present the crack epidemic as a public health issue rather than a criminal problem or as a part of the failed war on drugs. Ramsey's research is excellent, covering the history of cocaine and how it evolved into the less expensive form of crack. Like other books that examine the systemic issues in the justice system (Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow, Balko's The Rise of the Warrior Cop), Ramsey examines how news and media misrepresented the drug and allowed it to be reframed as a crime issue. This ultimately led to unjust laws as politicians sought to capitalize on the fear mongering from the war on drugs. It was interesting to read about Kurt Schmoke, who I didn't know about previously. As the first African American mayor of Baltimore, Schmoke was on the front line of dealing with both a heroin and crack epidemic in Baltimore. One of the reasons I may not have heard as much about him was that he proposed some radical ideas about viewing the crack epidemic as a public health issue rather than a criminal or legal issue. This completely sensical but unpopular view failed to gain the kind of traction it needed and allowed crack to continue to gain steam as well as leading to overpopulation and representation in the prison system. Ramsey's research and spotlight on Schmoke allows us to hear some of the voices of reason during the failed war on drugs and consider how these voices were largely drowned out by other politicians seeking to frame inner cities as war zones.
While Ramsey's research is insightful, the strength of this book lies in the interviews of those most affected by the crack epidemic-- the recovered addicts, the dealers, and the children of addicts. Their stories and strength were testament to the fact that drugs are not a death sentence, but with community and support, people can and do overcome the serious health problems related to addiction. Furthermore, these stories helped to humanize a period in American history that the media and politicians have largely tried to paint as more of an illicit or criminal epoch. Ramsey's writing ties the historical and factual data with the stories of those who took, sold or were affected by crack. This is a highly recommended and much needed account to challenge many of the prevailing narratives of crack and reframe it as a public health issue in the way we tend to think about opioid addiction.

When Crack Was King is a needed reevaluation of the crack epidemic of the 80's and 90's. Through the lenses of history and personal experiences of various people, Ramsey lays out a history of how terrible policy effected communities. I really enjoyed the chapters were put together as well as having the years included as the personal stories unfolded.

A consideration of the history of the crack evidence from sources "on the ground" throughout that experience.

The author described the development of crack from freebase, its spread across America, policy responses to the crack epidemic, the fearmongering about crack, and how the crack epidemic "resolved" itself.

Throughout he intersperses the life narrative of a series of people he has interviewed across the spectrum of the experience: the mayor of Baltimore; young people on both coasts; those who ended up using crack, those who sold it, and those whose lives were forever affected by it.

The author sympathizes with the plight of those caught up in the crack epidemic while remaining clear eyed about what crack did and how it affected people, families, and communities. He does well at contextualizing the crack epidemic in terms of the post-industrialization of American urban areas and the heavy handed response against Black liberation movements of the 1970s. He discusses the belief that crack flooded the cities because of CIA actions; he concludes it was not a deliberate policy but something the government was more than happy to look beyond or past even while they demonized and criminalized those who used crack. He concludes by telling the end of the story for each of his characters and how the next generation avoided crack after seeing what it had done for those who had come before them.

The author succeeds admirably at his goal of contextualizing and better explaining how the crack epidemic exploded and how it turned out the way it did. A lot of people covered themselves in shame in the way they demonized and condemned those who fell prey to the addiction while ultimately proving indifferent to their ultimate plight. The endeavor understandably took a heavy toll on the author's mental health; may he be healed and be gratified by the reception of the work he has done.

Just an absolutely wonderful non-fiction read that perfectly blended textbook history and oral history and lived experiences. I had thought I was pretty informed on the War on Drugs but this book proved me wrong. I cannot wait to see what Ramsey covers next in his future books. 5 stars.

When Crack Was King is a compelling, well-written and heartbreaking look at the crack epidemic in America. The thing that makes the book standout is the way that author Donovan X. Ramsey allows readers to see the individuals who were affected and sets it apart from other books that speak on the topic. Ramsey allows readers to see individual perspectives on the epidemic and makes the story far more personal than a regular book about drugs or the crack outbreak would delve.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to review. A mix of history and memoir, When Crack Was King explores the crack epidemic in the United States. Carefully researched, Ramsey weaves together stories of how policies shaped the idea of crack and its users- treatment vs policing and punishment. The personal stories of former users, dealers, and a politician made it more than just a history of policy or people sharing their story, helping to show how policy and culture shaped the crack epidemic. The end of the book seemed a little repetitive.

Disclaimer: I received a digital ARC via Netgalley.
Ramsey’s book is one on hand a history of the cocaine and crack epidemic, and on the other hand a history of four people during the epidemic. The four people include an addict, two dealers, and a politician.
The use of biography and history works well because it shows that history, the facts, aren’t simply abstract facts but have real people on the end of them. And while many people undoubtedly are always aware of this, many other people aren’t. There are reasons why teachers usually diaries and first-hand accounts when teaching major historical events and issues such as the Holocaust or when teaching slavery. This book, importantly, follows in that vein, showcasing the real impact of various policies or lack of policies as well as the impact of drugs themselves.
Ramsey takes an issue that has several different aspects to it – not just drugs and addicts, but Civil Rights among others – and weaves them together in an easy to follow and engrossing history. At times, the book is difficult to read, yet it is worth reading. Not only should we be confronted with uncomfortable truths but also, so we know what happened.
In many ways, this is an excellent book to assign to a college class or an upper-level high school class. It is clear, concise, and has an emotional impact. Students should be able to see themselves in the four people that Ramsey has chosen to highlight, at least in terms of the background of those people. I mentioned this book when a student asked what I was reading, and he immediately said that he wanted to read it. And if that isn’t an endorsement, then I really don’t know what is.
If I had any quibble with this book it has to do with the four people who were chosen. It should be noted that Ramsey treats all four with respect. But the ratio is 3:1 in favor of men, and the one woman is the one addict. This isn’t a problem, and her story, because of who she becomes, is vitally important. I just wish there had been another non-addict female voice to balance out the male voices. I do love the fact that Ramsey included a politician, and that provides a unique use of the narratives because we are getting them from different perspectives on all sides of the issue/history.