Drinking In America: A History

by Mark Edward Lender

Newly revised and updated, this engaging narrative chronicles America’s delight in drink and its simultaneous fight against it for the past 350 years.

From Plymouth Rock, 1621, to New York City, 1987, Mark Edward Lender and James Kirby Martin guide readers through the history of drinks and drinkers in America, including how popular reactions to this ubiquitous habit have mirror and helped shape national response to a number of moral and social issues.

By 1800, the temperance movement was born, playing a central role in American politics for the next 100 years, equating abstinence with 100-proof Americanism. And today, the authors attest, a “neotemperance” movement seems to be emerging in response to heightened public awareness of the consequences of alcohol abuse.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Booze

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 22, 1987

Reviews

[Tom Schulte · Rating 2 out of 5]

This really ought to be entitled "Not Drinking In America". Most of the book is about the rise of the temperance movement from before the Civil War through Prohibition and after the repeal even reverberations in AA and MADD... I was hoping to learn more about this history of bourbon (a paragraph here), how scotch got its aura, beer vs. wine, etc.

[James Stripes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was disappointing. Presenting itself as a history of drinking, it focuses more on identifying problem drinking and highlighting efforts to curb the practice. Near the end of the book, the authors state, “a number of studies have suggested strongly that more uniform popular views on acceptable drinking behavior” could “reduce alcoholism and related complications” (191). So, why not write a book on the history of drinking practices in America among people who did not become alcoholics? The authors seemed more interested in writing a history of the temperance movement and prohibition. They offer quite a few interesting tidbits and some well-expressed analysis of political concerns to manage alcohol problems. The book serves to augment other works on the Progressive’s movement’s ambitions, achievements, failures, and legacy.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of alcohol in the US from settler colonialism to past the repeal of prohibition.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very cool pics, in the end poured a few pints short.

[Calvary Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you are an occasional tippler or a committed teetotaler, there is plenty of interesting history in “Drinking in America: A History.” This book will help you understand the social, historical and cultural roots of drinking in America, and would be a great way for people on both sides of the issue to actually have an intelligent conversation. (It is one of the many books I’m plowing through in my doctoral work at Stirling.)

For those who think Jesus was a fundamental Baptist who went to wedding parties and turned water into grape juice – you might be surprised to learn that most Christians – Baptists included, were drinkers until the middle of the 19th century. Drink was even served at ordination services for ministers – and a pastor who refused to drink with a parishioner was considered rude. You might also be surprised to know that drinking was at its highest rate in American between 1790-1820. In fact, the drinking rate was triple what it is today! This is in part what gave rise to the Temperance Movement (c. 1830s), “Maine Laws” (c. 1851), and eventual efforts to outlaw alcohol completely (c. 1920).

For those who disdain teetotalers, you might be surprised to learn that it was the abuse of alcohol and concern over its damaging effects on the life of the family and society that gave rise to “Main Laws” (1851-1855) and national prohibition. Drink came to be associated with saloons and houses of ill repute – and blue-collar workers didn’t have an occasional drink – they would drink for the purpose of getting drunk. (A complete change from 17th and 18th century attitudes toward drink.) The rise of the industrial revolution gave further pause to the potential ill-effects of operating equipment on the job after having an “elevener” during morning break.

I think I can say that I now understand a little better why my own mother had such a hard time with an occasional social drink. She grew up in a social context where drink was always associated with drunkenness, unfaithfulness and disorder in the home. My own experiences have been much different – an occasional pint with a Christian friend in a Cambridge pub! Our experiences (read “history) couldn’t be more different. When we better understand “where a person is coming from” we can understand why they may enjoy a particular liberty – or completely refrain from it altogether. In the end, it is a non-issue. As Paul reminds us the kingdom of God is more than meat or drink (I Corinthians 8). But as I meet different people both living and dead – and really listen to what they have to say – I am more tolerant of both tipplers and teetotalers. I think Jesus is the perfect example – he turned water into wine, drank with sinners and preached “Woe to you drunkards.”

Thoughts on this issue?

--Pastor Lionel

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic in American alcohol history. Nicely illustrated, interesting. (I read the 1982 hardback edition.)