High Risk

'Funny, chaotic but unexpectedly profound, [High Risk] provides not just a clear-eyed memoir of addiction, but an examination of human behaviour and the reasons why some people choose to put themselves in situations that most others would not.' -- Times Magazine 'While publisher after publisher wanted him to tell an Andy McNab style story of hard men at war, Timberlake went his own way, writing a book that is as profound as it is eye-popping.' -- Vice 'Full of scintillating prose and postmodern ruminations that explore topics ranging from the hive mind flow state of US Marines bounding through the city's hostile streets to ... the unfathomable beauty of dropping ecstasy on a Ramadi rooftop at Christmas.' -- Coffee or Die 'A damn scary book so of course I loved it. Ben Timberlake makes a neurobiological experiment in a laboratory that I'd advise everyone to stay out of-the self. High Risk is, in a way, the story of a wicked Mr Hyde inventing a serum to transform himself into a reputable Dr Jekyll. Let's hope the serum keeps working.' -- P.J. O'Rourke, author of Give War a Chance and Holidays in Hell 'A riotous joyride to Hell and back... a life story that sits somewhere between a pilgrimage and a dare. Timberlake's writing hits unexpected, lyrical notes and makes original, illuminating connections. Ferociously smart, startlingly honest and very, very funny.' -- Kate Weinberg, novelist and author of 'The Truants' 'An intimate, deep and poignant account of the adrenaline-driven yet toxic nexus of war, sex and drugs, Timberlake's memoir is as disturbing as it is addictively absorbing. A powerful book.' -- Lukasz Kamienski, author of Shooting Up: A History of Drugs in Warfare '[Timberlake's] powers as both observer and writer make the journey utterly compelling. ... It's rare to find a book like this where the writing is just as exhilarating as the thrills. It is dark, visceral, clever and very funny. Boy's Own with brains.' -- Justin Marozzi, The Sunday Times