When Crack Was King

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LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD, this vivid account of the crack cocaine era explores a community's resilience through characters whose lives reflect the epidemic's dramatic rise and fall. The narrative disrupts persistent myths surrounding addiction in Black communities, offering a poignant re-examination of a tragic period in American history. It is a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and recognized as one of the best books of the year by various outlets, including Time and NPR. The crack epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s remains one of the least examined crises in American history. Journalist Donovan X. Ramsey analyzes the impact of Reagan’s war on drugs, tracing the journey from the Civil Rights Movement's last triumphs to today's harsh realities, including systemic racism, mass incarceration, and police brutality. The book follows four individuals: Elgin Swift, whose family struggled with addiction; Lennie Woodley, a former addict and sex worker; Kurt Schmoke, Baltimore's mayor and advocate for decriminalization; and Shawn McCray, a community activist and legendary drug trafficker. By weaving together extensive research and survivor voices, this work reevaluates the era and argues for resources for historically marginalized communities.