Todd Meyers Books

Exploring the intersection of chronic illness and socioeconomic challenges, Todd Meyers provides an intimate ethnographic portrait of Beverly, a woman he befriended during his research in Baltimore. Through shared moments over time and reflections following her death, Meyers grapples with the ethical complexities of representing someone who is no longer alive. He delves into the impact of racialized conditions on Beverly's life, highlighting the intricate dynamics of personal relationships within anthropological study and the profound effects of loss on the researcher.

The book explores the complex interplay between addiction and its treatment, highlighting the gaps in understanding individual experiences of substance abuse. It examines the impact of recent pharmaceutical therapies, which bring both optimism for recovery and concerns about potential misuse. Todd Meyers critically analyzes the evolving landscape of medical intervention, focusing on the challenges of meaning that arise from drug dependency. Through this lens, the work sheds light on the societal and medical dynamics surrounding addiction in contemporary contexts.

An eminent historian tells the story of how we came to obsess over the origins of humanity—and how, for three centuries, ideas of prehistory have been used to justify devastating violence against others