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Abstract
This study aimed to discover the books that are perceived by acknowledged UK experts on addiction to be the most enjoyable and influential. One hundred and eighty questionnaires were sent by post to senior addiction specialists. Respondents were asked to list their eight favourite addiction books and the one that they felt had made the largest contribution to the field of addiction. Thirty-eight replies were received, listing 158 books in total. Many books were common to different lists but no two lists were identical. Academic, literary and biographical books were listed. Forty-one books received two or more nominations, of which 11 were selected four or more times. Five books were nominated more than once as having made the largest contribution to the field of addiction. It is possible to identify a number of books that might be described as ‘classic texts,’ which should form the basis of any addiction library or reading list.