Long before it became the party drug of choice with over 10 million users in the 1970s and 80s, cocaine and the unprocessed coca leaf were an essential part of the development of indigenous South American cultures. Cocaïn: History & Culture tells the story of the infamous substance, including the period in the 1880s when the Surgeon-General of the US Army endorsed it for medical use, and the "family friendly" drink known as Coca-Cola — with syrup derived from coca leaves — made its debut. A fascinating examination of cocaine's history, the 184-page book is presented in full color and includes vintage advertisements and examples of its influence, from famous users to film and television illustrations like Scarface and Narcos.