Empire of Pain

by Patrick Radden Keefe, Ricard Gil · 2021

In *Empire of Pain*, investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe unravels the astonishing rise and fall of the Sackler family, whose fortune was built on the aggressive marketing of OxyContin. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Keefe traces the dynasty’s origins, its relentless pursuit of profit, and the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on millions of Americans. The book blends courtroom drama, corporate intrigue, and personal tragedy, exposing how a single family's ambition reshaped the pharmaceutical industry and left a scar on public health. A compelling chronicle of power, greed, and accountability, it offers a sobering look at the human cost behind a modern empire of pain.