The Aspirin Wars: Money, Medicine, and L00 Years of Rampant Competition

You are not a pharmacist until you read this book. Nor are you a doctor, lawyer or Indian chief. Every historian, military expert, and anyone with intellectual curiosity will feel compelled to read it. Those who have read Ayn Rand, George Orwell and Plutarch will include this tome as a lifetime "must read".Sadly, it is currently out of print.

I first picked up this book in the bargain bin at my college bookstore for only $1.00. It is probably the most interesting non-fiction book I have ever read. Even though it concentrates on the trials and tribulations of aspirin, it gives an interesting picture of over-the-counter drug marketing and promotion during the 20th century. The book is well researched, with liberal footnotes. The main storyline for the book is about the story of Farbenfabriken Bayer (later IG Farben and Bayer AG) and Sterling Drug, the US owners of the Bayer name (they bought it during an auction of German properties during WWI) It well documents the battle between the two owners of the Bayer name for the Bayer tradmark; a battle that lasted well over 60 years. One unexpected part of the book was the chapter regarding drug marketing in Latin America. The techniques used there in the mid-20th century closely resemble the patent medicine hucksters in America in the late 1800's. About the last fourth of the book is dedicated to the recent surge in discoveries of aspirin's use for heart-attacks, stroke, and other clotting related disorders. This is probably the most dry part of the book, but it is still pretty good. In conclusion this is an excellent book for anyone interested in the history of the drug industry or mass marketing.