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The Cigarette Century
Book

The Cigarette Century

The Rise, Fall, and Deadly Persistence of the Product That Defined America

Allan M. Brandt
Basic Books, 2007

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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Applicable

Recommendation

Today, it is hard to imagine that people once considered cigarette smoking glamorous. It’s equally hard to find an adult in the U.S. who has not experienced the devastating affects of smoking, either losing a loved one or battling cancer. The rise of the cigarette left nothing untouched. As it burned through American culture, smoking changed the way industry, government, science and health organizations operate and interact. In this comprehensive, scholarly work, Harvard professor Allan M. Brandt impressively presents a thorough, well-researched, soundly documented exposé about the impact of cigarettes on American life. His user-friendly book is well laid out and easy to understand. Surprisingly, it’s also captivating and emotional. Even cynics will feel outraged at big tobacco’s manipulations, deceit and lies, though Brandt’s evenhanded reporting lets the facts speak for themselves. getAbstract recommends this illuminating work to researchers, public health officials, business historians and laymen alike.

Take-Aways

  • “Buck” Duke’s American Tobacco Company was one of the U.S.’s largest corporations before the government forced its monopoly to disband.
  • The tobacco industry’s carefully orchestrated strategy and the popularity of cigarettes among soldiers during WWI changed the public’s perception of smoking.
  • Brand differentiation made product choice an extension of individual personality.

About the Author

Allen M. Brandt is the Amalie Moses Kass Professor of the History of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. His books include No Magic Bullet: A Social History of Venereal Disease in the United States since 1880.

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