Helpful Score: 9
Prozac-like drugs are being prescribed not only for their original purposes but increasingly to alter individual personalities to currently valued norms. With dead-on accuracy and the prescience of tomorrow's headlines, Robin Cook explores the perilous intersection where fame and unfathomable lucre waylay and seduce the very best and brightest of those sworn to do no harm. When neuroscientist Edward Armstrong begins dating Kimberly Stewart, a descendant of a woman who was hanged as a witch at the time of the Salem witch trials, he takes advantage of the opportunity to delve into a pet theory: that the "devil" in Salem in 1692 had been a hallucinogenic drug inadvertently consumed with mold-tainted grain. In an attempt to prove his theory, Edward grows the mold he believes responsible from samples taken from the Stewart estate. In a brilliant designer-drug transformation, the poison becomes Ultra, the next generation of antidepressants with truly startling therapeutic capabilities. Acceptable Risk is a story of quest: a researcher's quest for the ultimate drug and a woman's quest for self-understanding. Unbeknownst to either person, the two seemingly separate quests collide with devastating consequences.
Great book!! I really enjoy Robin Cook's writing. If you like medical thrillers this is it. I was amazed by what people (or at least fictional characters) will do in the name of science!
Helpful Score: 4
A bit disturbing in parts, to be perfectly honest. Could be a cautionary tale against letting ambition blind a person to the very real potential risks. It was fast paced and exciting and I really didn't want to put it down
Helpful Score: 3
Another book by Cook providing "food for thought". The plot is not as fast-paced or as easy to believe as some of Cook's other works it was still a lot fun to read. I believe the book became unbelievable mixing the historical side and medical side but the book was still worth reading.
Helpful Score: 2
This is perhaps my favorite book by Robin Cook. Neuroscientist Edward Armstrong discovers a chemical that may have been responsible for the hysteria of the Salem Witch Trials. Genetically engineered, this drug becomes a seemingly miraculous anti-depressant. Reluctant to waste time with FDA trials, a group of scientists test it on themselves. And that's when the troubles begin. This is a really good book and raises many questions about drug safety and what defines 'normal' behavior.
Helpful Score: 2
Hey - it's Robin Cook! Makes you visualize what's happening, hard to put down. Creative, though feasible and that's what scares you!
Helpful Score: 2
This book by Robin Cook is absolutely wonderful! It gives you a different look into a theory behind the Salem Witch Trials... and it is very entertaining!
Helpful Score: 1
Midwest Book Review
A research scientist discovers a mood-altering, enhancing drug and involves himself and other researchers in a deadly experiment. Blended with this story of greed and laboratories gone awry is a woman's relationship troubles and her increasingly troubled conviction that something has gone wrong. Acceptable Risk is a story of a researcher's quest for the ultimate drug, and a woman[s quest for self understanding. Unbeknownst to either person, the two seemingly seperate quests collide with devastating consequences.
A research scientist discovers a mood-altering, enhancing drug and involves himself and other researchers in a deadly experiment. Blended with this story of greed and laboratories gone awry is a woman's relationship troubles and her increasingly troubled conviction that something has gone wrong. Acceptable Risk is a story of a researcher's quest for the ultimate drug, and a woman[s quest for self understanding. Unbeknownst to either person, the two seemingly seperate quests collide with devastating consequences.
Helpful Score: 1
Prozac-like drugs are being prescribed to alter individual personalities to currently valued norms. (Sounds like life!)
Robin Cook explores the perilous intersection where fame and unfathomable riches waylay and seduce the very best and brightest of those sworn to do no harm. Neuroscientist Edward Armstrong begins dating Kimberly Stuart, a descendant of one of the witches hanged in the Salem witch trials. He takes advantage of this opportunity to prove a pet theory, that the "devil" in Salem in 1692, had been a hallucinogenic drug caused by molded grain. Using Kimberly as a test subject, using a designer drug called Ultra, he wants to be at the top of the next generation of antidepressants with truly startling therapeutic capabilities. This story is quite disturbing because is has an authentic ring of truth by an author that has the technical and professional knowledge to back it up.
Robin Cook explores the perilous intersection where fame and unfathomable riches waylay and seduce the very best and brightest of those sworn to do no harm. Neuroscientist Edward Armstrong begins dating Kimberly Stuart, a descendant of one of the witches hanged in the Salem witch trials. He takes advantage of this opportunity to prove a pet theory, that the "devil" in Salem in 1692, had been a hallucinogenic drug caused by molded grain. Using Kimberly as a test subject, using a designer drug called Ultra, he wants to be at the top of the next generation of antidepressants with truly startling therapeutic capabilities. This story is quite disturbing because is has an authentic ring of truth by an author that has the technical and professional knowledge to back it up.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent read. Very interesting. Great job relating to the Salem Witch Trials!
Helpful Score: 1
When neuroscientist Edward Armstrong begins dating Kimberly Stewart, a descendant of a woman who was hanged as a witch at the time of the Salem witch trials, he takes advantage of the opportunity to delve into a pet theory: that the "devil" in Salem in 1692 had been a hallucinogenic drug inadvertently consumed with mold-tainted grain. In an attempt to prove his theory, Edward grows the mold he believes responsible from samples taken from the Stewart estate. In a brilliant designer-drug transformation, the poison becomes Ultra, the next generation of antidepressants with truly startling therapeutic capabilities. Acceptable Risk is a story of quest: a researcher's quest for the ultimate drug and a woman's quest for self-understanding. Unbeknownst to either person, the two seemingly separate quests collide with devastating consequences.
Helpful Score: 1
Another book by Cook providing "food for thought". The plot is not as fast-paced or as easy to believe as some of Cook's other works it was still a lot fun to read. I believe the book became unbelievable mixing the historical side and medical side but the book was still worth reading.
Helpful Score: 1
A story about a doctor who uses himself as the subject of medical experiments in order to find a drug which will make billions. Of course, things do not go the way he expects.
Helpful Score: 1
Robin Cook has always been on the cutting edge of the latest medical controversies. In Acceptable Risk, he confronts one of the most provocative issues of our time, personlity altering drugs and the complex moral questions they raise.....
Helpful Score: 1
Exciting read, keeps you on the edge.
Synopsis
Neuroscientist Edward Armstrong has isolated a psychotropic drug with a dark and controversial history, one that may account for the public hysteria during the Salem witch trials. In its new designer-drug form, it is being used as an antidepressant with remarkable therapeutic capabilities. But who can be sure that the drug is safe for consumer use, and who determines the boundaries of 'normal' human behavior? And if the drug's side effects are demonstrated to be dangerous--even terrifying--how far will the pharmaceutical and medical establishment go to alter their standards of 'acceptable risk'?
Synopsis
Neuroscientist Edward Armstrong has isolated a psychotropic drug with a dark and controversial history, one that may account for the public hysteria during the Salem witch trials. In its new designer-drug form, it is being used as an antidepressant with remarkable therapeutic capabilities. But who can be sure that the drug is safe for consumer use, and who determines the boundaries of 'normal' human behavior? And if the drug's side effects are demonstrated to be dangerous--even terrifying--how far will the pharmaceutical and medical establishment go to alter their standards of 'acceptable risk'?
Tipical Robin Cook. If you're a fan you'll enjoy this one.
Another superb book
Robin Cook has always been on the cutting edge of the latest medical controversies. In this book he confronts one of the most provacative issues of our times; personality-altering drugs and the complex moral questions they raise. Neuroscientist Edward Armstrong has managed to isolate a psychotropic drug with a strange and dark history--one that may account for the public hysteria during the Salem witch trial. In a brilliant designer-drug transformation, it is developed into as antidepressant with truly startling therapeutic capabilities. But who can be sure the drug is safe for consumers? Who defines the boundaries of "normal" human behavior? And if the drug's side effects are proven to be dangerous--even terrifying--how far will the medical community goto alter their standards of Acceptable Risk.
A great Cook read. Lots of adventure and a little romance.
A scientist isolates a psychotropic drug that may have accounted for the Salen witch hysteria. It develops into a wonderful antidepressant. But it may have some side effects. Very, very good medical thriller.
Personality altering drugs..are they safe? Find the answer in Robin Cooks novel "ACCEPTABLE RISK"
a race to capture the patent on a new antidepressant drug, how far will the medical community go to alter their acceptable risk?
The Salem stuff was interesting, but some of the characters weren't believable.
This book follows the typical Robin Cook formula. I do like how this ties modern day medical issues with the Salem witch trials.
Gothic classic plot via a medical research suspense. RC worked
hard on the historical aspect.
hard on the historical aspect.
This is one of my favorite authors...this book will not disappoint you.
Were many of the hysteria attacks of the Salem withcraft era brought on by ergotamine fungus on the rye flour used in some breads? And if so, could modern medical research develop useful psychotropic drugs from the same source? Cook uses this idea and sets it all against the background of a contemporary descendant of one of the executed women, who is searching for the mysterious hidden "evidence" used against her ancestress. Great ideas all, but just not well handled.
Great suspense. Real surprises.
Acceptable Risk is a story of a quest: a researcher's quest for the untilmate drug and woman's quest for self-understanding. Unbeknownst to either person, the two seemingly separate quests collide with devastating consequences.
Personality-altering drugs and the complex moral questions they raise are the topic of this novel. Who can be sure the drug is safe for consumers? Who defines the boundaries of "normal" human beharior? This drug has truly startling therapeutic capabilities, so how far will the medical community to alter their standards of....ACCEPTABLE RISK?
Predictable Cook novel.
Story begins with Salem "witch" then moves on to modern times and a new chemical isolated from her old Salem home. Chemical developed into new psych drug... Strong characters and science background.
PAGETURNER!!
This was pretty good, but I didn't think it was up to his usual standards.
Sue H.
Sue H.
exciting- cutting edge, great Robin Cook book
Very interesting. I couldn't put it down.
Just love Robin Cook's books. Once you start reading you can't put it down.
Thumbs up
Neuroscientist Edward Armstrong has managed to isolate a psychotropic drug with a strange and dark history-one that may account for the public hysteria during the Salem witch trials. But who can be sure it is safe for human consumers? How far will the medical community go to alter their standards of acceptable rish?
Good read; thoroughly enjoyed it. Kind of cool theory.
Robin Cook confronts one of the most provocative issues of our time --- Personality-altering drugs and the complex moral questions they raise.
Neuroscientist Edward Armstrong has managed to isolate a psychotropic drug whith a strange and dark history-one that may account for the public hysteria during the Salem witch trials. In a brilliant designer-drug transformation, it is developed into an antidepressant with truly startling therapeutic capabiliteies.
Neuroscientist Edward Armstrong has managed to isolate a psychotropic drug with a starnge and dark history...one that might account for the public hysteria that occurred the Salem Witch Trials...in a brilliant designer-drug transformation, Armstrong develops it into an antidepressant with startlingly efective therapeutic capabilities...but who can be sure if the drug is safe for consumers? And if the side effects prove dangerous, even terrifying..how far will the medical community go to stop it?
