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Taverns of the American Revolution
The first visual and narrative account of the American Revolution told through tales about the Colonial-era inns, taverns, and alcoholic beverages that shaped it, Taverns of the American Revolution is equal parts history, trivia, coffee-table book, and travel guide.
A Complete Guide to the Spirits of 1776
In 1737, Benjamin Franklin published “The Drinker’s Dictionary,” a compendium of more than two hundred expressions for drinking and drunkenness, such as “oil’d,” “fuzl’d,” and “half way to Concord.” Nearly forty years later, the same barrooms that fostered these terms over bowls of rum punch helped sow the seeds of revolution.
Taverns of the American Revolution presents the boozing and schmoozing that went on in some of America’s most historic watering holes, revealing the crucial role these public houses played as meeting places for George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and their fellow Founding Fathers in the struggle for independence. More than a retelling of the Revolutionary War, this unique volume takes readers on a tour of more than twenty surviving colonial taverns; features period artwork, maps, and cocktail recipes; and is filled with trivia and anecdotes about the drinking habits of colonial Americans.
From history buffs and those interested in colonial architecture and art to tavern goers, beer aficionados, trivia lovers, and those keen on hitting a few historic pubs on their road trip through the original thirteen colonies, this one-of-a-kind compendium is the ultimate guide to the taverns that helped spark a revolution.
-Commentary on more than twenty surviving colonial taverns Period artwork, maps, and documents
-A detailed time line of the events leading up to, during, and immediately after the American Revolution
-Six colonial cocktail recipes
-A comprehensive index of more than one hundred fifty surviving colonial taverns
-An abundance of little-known facts and anecdotes that will have you owning your next pub quiz trivia night
A Complete Guide to the Spirits of 1776
In 1737, Benjamin Franklin published “The Drinker’s Dictionary,” a compendium of more than two hundred expressions for drinking and drunkenness, such as “oil’d,” “fuzl’d,” and “half way to Concord.” Nearly forty years later, the same barrooms that fostered these terms over bowls of rum punch helped sow the seeds of revolution.
Taverns of the American Revolution presents the boozing and schmoozing that went on in some of America’s most historic watering holes, revealing the crucial role these public houses played as meeting places for George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and their fellow Founding Fathers in the struggle for independence. More than a retelling of the Revolutionary War, this unique volume takes readers on a tour of more than twenty surviving colonial taverns; features period artwork, maps, and cocktail recipes; and is filled with trivia and anecdotes about the drinking habits of colonial Americans.
From history buffs and those interested in colonial architecture and art to tavern goers, beer aficionados, trivia lovers, and those keen on hitting a few historic pubs on their road trip through the original thirteen colonies, this one-of-a-kind compendium is the ultimate guide to the taverns that helped spark a revolution.
-Commentary on more than twenty surviving colonial taverns Period artwork, maps, and documents
-A detailed time line of the events leading up to, during, and immediately after the American Revolution
-Six colonial cocktail recipes
-A comprehensive index of more than one hundred fifty surviving colonial taverns
-An abundance of little-known facts and anecdotes that will have you owning your next pub quiz trivia night
192 pages, Hardcover
First published July 12, 2016
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590 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 14, 2020
Thirteen Cheers!
Reading this book primarily to update my own book "George Washington's Liberty Key," I found Covert's book includes a lot of interesting history, not only about the taverns themselves but about American spirits and the Revolutionary War. As another reviewer commented, the format is such that it mixes these topics in a cocktail that sometimes is a little difficult to follow. However, as a reference book, into which you can sip here and there as you chase your interests and travels, it is excellent. A Rev War buff, I look forward to visiting those taverns that I didn't know exist in cities that I visit often. I especially look forward to revisiting Old '76 House, now that I've learned that it may have been Washington who turned Benedict Arnold's portrait upside down. One observation that I'd like to make if the author ever revises his book: Fraunces Tavern was not the site of Washington's growing gray/blind addendum to his Newburgh (NY) Address but of his Farewell Address (NYC) to his officers. Bottom(s up) line, though, the book is highly recommended!
Reading this book primarily to update my own book "George Washington's Liberty Key," I found Covert's book includes a lot of interesting history, not only about the taverns themselves but about American spirits and the Revolutionary War. As another reviewer commented, the format is such that it mixes these topics in a cocktail that sometimes is a little difficult to follow. However, as a reference book, into which you can sip here and there as you chase your interests and travels, it is excellent. A Rev War buff, I look forward to visiting those taverns that I didn't know exist in cities that I visit often. I especially look forward to revisiting Old '76 House, now that I've learned that it may have been Washington who turned Benedict Arnold's portrait upside down. One observation that I'd like to make if the author ever revises his book: Fraunces Tavern was not the site of Washington's growing gray/blind addendum to his Newburgh (NY) Address but of his Farewell Address (NYC) to his officers. Bottom(s up) line, though, the book is highly recommended!
December 27, 2017
I received this book in a Goodread's giveaway some time ago. I only recently rediscovered it in my wife's car, and read it in a short afternoon.
Despite the title, this is really a retelling of the American revolution, with tavern information in sidebars and feature boxes rather than as the main event.
In the first chapter alone, the author misuses the term "puritan" several times and speaks glowingly of so-called "historian" Howard Zinn.
With this bias made clear, it should be readily apparent that this book is suitable for establishing a drinking trip featuring historic sites, and nothing more.
Despite the title, this is really a retelling of the American revolution, with tavern information in sidebars and feature boxes rather than as the main event.
In the first chapter alone, the author misuses the term "puritan" several times and speaks glowingly of so-called "historian" Howard Zinn.
With this bias made clear, it should be readily apparent that this book is suitable for establishing a drinking trip featuring historic sites, and nothing more.
March 28, 2019
Generally well-researched with lots of good photos and illustrations BUT very redundant in places. This could have benefited from more editing to cut the redundant bits.
May 23, 2016
The copy I have was a bit hard to read. What I did read was interesting. I decided to check the samples on amazon to see if the final copy also suffered from the problems I encountered tered. I a happy to report that it doesn't seem to.
This would make a good book for anyone with an interest for history, especially the American Revolution.
This would make a good book for anyone with an interest for history, especially the American Revolution.
August 7, 2016
Unfortunately, the poor formatting of the review copy makes what could be a fascinating topic (especially for this Revolution geek) into an incoherent mess. Few illustrations make it to the arc, and the side bar sections are cut into the middle of the text, often pages apart.
What is legible is clearly well researched, and interesting.
May well see if I can get this from the library.
What is legible is clearly well researched, and interesting.
May well see if I can get this from the library.
July 29, 2018
I picked this book up at The Constitution Center in Philadelphia. I read this book in one sitting. I really enjoyed it. In general, it is a really easy read and I absolutely love the fact that the author went to remaining taverns from the Revolutionary era. There is a wonderful list of existing taverns in the US (Mostly in the Northeast). Based on this list, I've already started thinking of how to get to several of the local ones.
Really recommend the book as it brings out a new telling of the American Revolution.
Really recommend the book as it brings out a new telling of the American Revolution.
November 18, 2019
It could be a 2.5 star. It was a fun read. The history nerd in me liked the info about taverns that are still standing and I might just visit a few. I found 6 mistakes in regards to April 19, 1775, so I take a lot of the info with a grain of salt.
September 21, 2016
There wasn't the Net. There wasn't Twitter. Facebook didn't exist, Whatsup just an expression used by people for asking what was going on and people, mainly men, in 1634 or something if seriously wanted to meet someone else, had to go out, they had to go in a tavern during the cold winter-nights of the East Coasts of the USA. Face to face with other friends, a pint of beer close to them.
Taverns have been for a long long time the protagonists of political changes in the USA and first of all of the American Revolution.
Taverns of the American Revolution written by Adrian Covert and published by Insight Editions last June 26, will explore the taverns that largely contributed at the American Revolution. This book is a precious jewel in terms of history, passion and devotion.
Can a public place become the center of something more important than just an innocent chat?
Of course it can, and taverns the best places for speaking of policy and current events.
After all taverns were populated by merchants, business men, politicians and moods were all on the table exactly like alcohol was.
The author visited a large quantity of taverns. You will find all the 171 still existing taverns all listed in the book.
They became with the time: seventy-two restaurants or bars, forty-nine museums, thirty-six inns, twelve community buildings, and a smattering of offices and cafés.
Other 140 colonial taverns became private residences and they are not listed in the book.
But if you want to explore the USA through these 13 States for searching for these special place, this one is your book!
Covert at first started the research following the indications of a book written by Elise Lathrop, "Early American Inns and Taverns" published in 1926.
Adrian Covert worked hardly for giving a name and a location at these special places that made with the main political protagonists the history of the USA.
Most of these ex taverns are not listed on the net, and they don't have any kind of website. They have maintained where possible their own originality, serving just typical dishes and producing their own beer.
According to the author these taverns not only made the history of the USA but "These are 250 years old conversations about politics, culture, food, and life."
What it is more impressive is that when you will stop by in these places you will enter in the History, because it was in these taverns that Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson created the America as Americans know that.
After a historical reconstruction of the first taverns, the problems taverns sometimes could give. Of course they weren't all the times great places, morality sent to hell, a lot of people drunk, politicians worried for youngster, lost in these places for too much time.
In particular Adams advanced these perplexities, but although taverns couldn't be the best place of this world they have been the engine of the change.
Puritans the ones who had in their hands the control of alcohol and so starting from the end of 1600 prohibited in some places of the East Coast alcohol or it had to be drunk with moderation.
These restrictions for using largest quantities of alcohol in ships and vessels.
Other fines invested also sexual behaviors of men and women and other sphere of their life as well.
It was a custom to believe that a moderate consumption of alcohol accepted, tolerated because it was good for health according to the Puritans.
The same George Washington invented his own beer.
Franklin passed at the story also for this saying: "In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria."
The 71% of tavern keepers, you think were men considering the environment, isn't it true?
Wrong.
Women, in particular if their beloved husband had left this world for good.
They could obtain in case they were widows a license for keeping a tavern.
It happened in Massachusetts, where the 71% of women kept a tavern. The 25% only in Boston.
At the same time close to the taverns brothels started to born vivaciously and later closed to Boston.
How much cost to a client spending some time in a tavern? Let's see. The author discovered that The Wayside Inn kept records of that old times.
Lodging 4 pence, a normal dinner 12 pence, an abundant dinner 20 pence. We are in 1748.
22 shillings per gallon on July 19 1769.
The book includes also a dictionary of words used by the clients of the taverns, recipes, many many other historical facts and every tavern visited by the author described enchantingly with so many historical facts, anecdotes, specificity. This one a superlative, historical trip in places that contributed to change the USA. The author built bridges with the present and what these places became with the time.
It is a wonderful gift for birthday, for Christmas if you know someone in love for History.
There are beautiful pictures, old illustrations, newsmagazines pages of the time.
I thank Netgalley and Insight Editions for this book.
Taverns have been for a long long time the protagonists of political changes in the USA and first of all of the American Revolution.
Taverns of the American Revolution written by Adrian Covert and published by Insight Editions last June 26, will explore the taverns that largely contributed at the American Revolution. This book is a precious jewel in terms of history, passion and devotion.
Can a public place become the center of something more important than just an innocent chat?
Of course it can, and taverns the best places for speaking of policy and current events.
After all taverns were populated by merchants, business men, politicians and moods were all on the table exactly like alcohol was.
The author visited a large quantity of taverns. You will find all the 171 still existing taverns all listed in the book.
They became with the time: seventy-two restaurants or bars, forty-nine museums, thirty-six inns, twelve community buildings, and a smattering of offices and cafés.
Other 140 colonial taverns became private residences and they are not listed in the book.
But if you want to explore the USA through these 13 States for searching for these special place, this one is your book!
Covert at first started the research following the indications of a book written by Elise Lathrop, "Early American Inns and Taverns" published in 1926.
Adrian Covert worked hardly for giving a name and a location at these special places that made with the main political protagonists the history of the USA.
Most of these ex taverns are not listed on the net, and they don't have any kind of website. They have maintained where possible their own originality, serving just typical dishes and producing their own beer.
According to the author these taverns not only made the history of the USA but "These are 250 years old conversations about politics, culture, food, and life."
What it is more impressive is that when you will stop by in these places you will enter in the History, because it was in these taverns that Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson created the America as Americans know that.
After a historical reconstruction of the first taverns, the problems taverns sometimes could give. Of course they weren't all the times great places, morality sent to hell, a lot of people drunk, politicians worried for youngster, lost in these places for too much time.
In particular Adams advanced these perplexities, but although taverns couldn't be the best place of this world they have been the engine of the change.
Puritans the ones who had in their hands the control of alcohol and so starting from the end of 1600 prohibited in some places of the East Coast alcohol or it had to be drunk with moderation.
These restrictions for using largest quantities of alcohol in ships and vessels.
Other fines invested also sexual behaviors of men and women and other sphere of their life as well.
It was a custom to believe that a moderate consumption of alcohol accepted, tolerated because it was good for health according to the Puritans.
The same George Washington invented his own beer.
Franklin passed at the story also for this saying: "In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria."
The 71% of tavern keepers, you think were men considering the environment, isn't it true?
Wrong.
Women, in particular if their beloved husband had left this world for good.
They could obtain in case they were widows a license for keeping a tavern.
It happened in Massachusetts, where the 71% of women kept a tavern. The 25% only in Boston.
At the same time close to the taverns brothels started to born vivaciously and later closed to Boston.
How much cost to a client spending some time in a tavern? Let's see. The author discovered that The Wayside Inn kept records of that old times.
Lodging 4 pence, a normal dinner 12 pence, an abundant dinner 20 pence. We are in 1748.
22 shillings per gallon on July 19 1769.
The book includes also a dictionary of words used by the clients of the taverns, recipes, many many other historical facts and every tavern visited by the author described enchantingly with so many historical facts, anecdotes, specificity. This one a superlative, historical trip in places that contributed to change the USA. The author built bridges with the present and what these places became with the time.
It is a wonderful gift for birthday, for Christmas if you know someone in love for History.
There are beautiful pictures, old illustrations, newsmagazines pages of the time.
I thank Netgalley and Insight Editions for this book.
April 5, 2018
Great fun for American history buffs, home mixologists (recipes included), and travelers. Hope to visit some of the still-operating taprooms and taverns on our next trip to the East Coast.
December 28, 2016
Great read, very interesting look into our history!!
April 22, 2016
An interesting read for the American history nerd. The copy was difficult to read as my electronic ARC copy didn't flow-pages of text seemed to be mixed up and most of the illustrations were absent. Many of the captions were fragmented within the body of the text, making reading difficult. I came to this book with some knowledge of the important role of taverns during that era so my interest was more in discovering the specific taverns, their purposes and locations. Would be great to create a road trip based on several of the taverns listed in the book. As many of these properties are inns as well as it could be a case of history immersion!
April 14, 2016
A fun specialist history and guide covering eighteenth-century taverns from Massachusetts to Virginia. You may find yourself wondering how important such a study is, but Covert points out that the tavern, as the only public meeting place in most towns and villages, was central to colonial life and the development of the Revolutionary War. Many of the taverns continue to function as restaurants, bars, and inns.
June 29, 2016
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.)
3 Stars
A fun look at the "history" of Taverns of the American Revolution. It is more of a coffee table book or one that you pick up here and there. I love the pictures, how to make cocktails and other historical tidbits.
3 Stars
A fun look at the "history" of Taverns of the American Revolution. It is more of a coffee table book or one that you pick up here and there. I love the pictures, how to make cocktails and other historical tidbits.
May 26, 2016
A fun romp through the taverns of the American Revolution. There are some fun gems in there to keep it interesting.
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November 28, 20172017-10 - Taverns of the American Revolution. Adrian Covert (Author) 2016. 192 Pages.
This book had sat on my bookshelf for a while. It purports to be a guide to every known tavern left from the Early Republic. Taverns played a key role in Colonial America and the Early Republic. The served as places to eat, drink, sleep, hold meetings, and learn the latest news from other places or within the locality. Their functions would later be taken over by the development of hotels, post offices, newspapers, bars, and restaurants. They were a secular church if you will. The book provides a book length narrative of tavern development and history during this period. It also provides a one or two page survey with photos of each of the known remaining taverns still standing from the original 13 colonies. The best part was the recipes for period drinks included in the book. The recipes are authentic and some are even quite good. Good enough that they have become regular drinks in my life. You must understand that cold drinks were mostly unknown in this era. Drinks including gale were either room or cellar temperature or quite often served steaming hot. So you must like hut drinks and nutmeg. Beer cocktails …i.e. beer mixed with other booze was fairly common up into the 1840’s. My only issue with this book is the repetition of the story within the one and two page surveys of each tavern. It created a repetition of paragraphs and sentences. I suppose if you were just thumbing throw and reading the individual tavern surveys this would be helpful.
This book had sat on my bookshelf for a while. It purports to be a guide to every known tavern left from the Early Republic. Taverns played a key role in Colonial America and the Early Republic. The served as places to eat, drink, sleep, hold meetings, and learn the latest news from other places or within the locality. Their functions would later be taken over by the development of hotels, post offices, newspapers, bars, and restaurants. They were a secular church if you will. The book provides a book length narrative of tavern development and history during this period. It also provides a one or two page survey with photos of each of the known remaining taverns still standing from the original 13 colonies. The best part was the recipes for period drinks included in the book. The recipes are authentic and some are even quite good. Good enough that they have become regular drinks in my life. You must understand that cold drinks were mostly unknown in this era. Drinks including gale were either room or cellar temperature or quite often served steaming hot. So you must like hut drinks and nutmeg. Beer cocktails …i.e. beer mixed with other booze was fairly common up into the 1840’s. My only issue with this book is the repetition of the story within the one and two page surveys of each tavern. It created a repetition of paragraphs and sentences. I suppose if you were just thumbing throw and reading the individual tavern surveys this would be helpful.
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