Empire of Pain: Book Summary & Analysis

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A chilling journey through the corridors of power, Empire of Pain exposes the rise and fall of one of the most powerful families in American pharmaceutical history. At the heart of the opioid epidemic lies a dynasty that built an empire on pain—driven by ambition, protected by influence, and sustained by denial.

This gripping narrative unveils how a fortune was forged not just with innovation, but through manipulation of public trust, regulatory loopholes, and aggressive marketing. As addiction swept across the nation, the architects remained hidden behind boardroom walls and museum wings.