Drink: A Social History of America

by Andrew Barr

In this shrewd cultural history of drink in America, Andrew Barr considers the significance of alcohol, historically and socially, symbolic and real, in the evolution of a nation born of a rebel spirit and intoxicated by liberty - and sometimes by rum or raw whiskey, which the colonists preferred to their royally taxed British tea. While Americans have both asserted and celebrated their freedoms with alcohol they have also, in Barr's perceptive historical view, put it to more insidious use; in suppressing native American populations in the country's expansion west, for instance, or in controlling acculturation of immigrants. Blending his candidly opinionated take on history with a lively bit of cultural anthropology, Barr examines not only the social influences that determine what, where, and why we choose to drink but also the social ills that have been attributed to alcohol, from the supposed decline in national values to the dipsomaniacal state of our national health. Barr argues, however, that the scapegoating of alcohol by moral alarmists, the medical establishment, and platform politicians has more often produced dubious cures and moral hypocrisy than it has accomplished social good.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Food and Drink, Food, World History, Booze, Food History

466 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 1995

Reviews

[Ashish Shah · Rating 1 out of 5]

could not get past page 9

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a fascinating examination of the role that alcoholic beverages have played in the social, cultural, and political history of America. It's an amazing array of facts that, at times, is almost overwhelming, but I guarantee that anyone who picks up this book will find something about the subject that they did not know. I was surprised to find that plain water, especially cold water, was thought to be hazardous, and alcohol was believed to be a much healthier beverage for everyone, including children. And, I really can't believe that even today, many counties and municipalities have such severe regulations and restrictions concerning a legal product.
The book is so chock full of data that you can skim it or study it, and still enjoy an absolutely delightful reading experience.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. So meh that I didn't bother finishing it. Some really interesting information, but the organization of the book wasn't evident - chronological? topical? geographical?
And the footnotes were *really* annoying. I like an occasional aside or deeper explanation, even in "pop" history. But I don't need to be told (on every other page!) that a particular topic is also addressed elsewhere in the book. That just wastes my time and needlessly pulls me away from whatever narrative I was trying to follow.

[Philip Hollenback · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some pretty interesting ideas in here, and we'll written. Sometimes meanders a bit much, and the author for some reason is extremely enamored of nonstop footnotes that say 'see chapter x'.

Mostly this book lays out why prohibition never works, and provides much history on the rise and fall of drinking in the US.

[Nicky Rossiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reading a very different book. Same cover picture, same author but about drink in Britain.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

First off, let me say I'm not entirely happy to be reviewing a book with no cover image. It wrecks the aesthetics of my review page. This book was merely ok. Barr doesn't believe in alcoholism as a disease, and he lets you know. Barr has many other political and social beliefs, and he lets you know all those as well. Even if you're convinced by his arguments he starts to get annoying after a while. This book really should be titled, Drink: A Social Plan With Case Studies by Andrew Barr. It's also very repetitive and sequenced in a confusing, unwieldy way. I can't figure out why most information was put where it was. Theoretically there are chapter themes, but Barr wanders so much in terms of chronology and subject matter within each chapter that reading this book is disorienting. I think he must have been drunk or something when he wrote it.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has an agenda (that Americans are too prudish about our relationship to mind-altering substances), but still a very readable, interesting social history of alcohol in America. When the British came to America, they thought they would die because water was poisonous and they didn't have any beer! In the 19th century, it was thought that straight gin was a healthy way to rehydrate on a hot summers' day! Martinis are a high-status drink because during prohibition, only those with storehouses of pre-ban liquor could afford to drink gin straights! And etc -- lots of fun.

[Colleen Wu · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. The information was interesting and the writing flowed fairly well, but the author definitely needed to do a lot more editing. I also found the author's constant interjection of opinions to be irritating. Even if I agree with the author, I just want the facts and should be able to make up my own mind. Also, the insane number of footnotes that only stated "this was covered or will be covered in another chapter in more detail" were completely uneccessary. Just let me read the book and the information should unfold.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a book on alcohol, but more specifically a meandering tour of how alcohol shaped the American culture. From the history of the three-martini lunch to the failure of the Prohibition, Barr explains the whole deal with the perspective of common observation. If you are the type that picks the expensive wines to make up for your lack of taste, Barr explains the history behind these developed habits. Or the moderate drinker who believes it's good for the heart, Barr explains why. A truly honest story that might make you want to relive the old days when wine sold at dollars for a gallon

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author tackles the history of America via what we drank and how we drank it. He's not always successful or welcome (like a party attendee with maybe too much to say and imbibe), but for the most part the book is amusing, well-written and contains little gems of history and how it was affected by alcohol.

You can find plenty to disagree with in this book, but overall it was a fine addition to my potable collection of tales.

[Dale Stonehouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very comprehensive history of alcohol use/abuse in America, going back to colonial times. Whether it was whiskey or later German beer, the colonists often did not trust the safety of the available drinking water, thus the use of alcohol as a substitute. Despite the prohibition era, the author shows conclusively that alcohol consumption is as American as the flag or national anthem. I like this better than Okrent's Last Call because there was more for me to learn here.

[Andrew Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book! Anyone wanting to learn why drinking culture in America is such a strange thing ought to read this book. It explores the history of alcohol production and consumption in the United States, and points out interesting facts about how our history had led us to where we are today: simultaneously in love with and afraid of alcohol.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit redundant (and lots of unnecessary footnotes) but bottom line; this is a pretty goddamn great book. It reminds me of one of those "fact book" kinda things you'd read as a kid (ie. "Fabulous Facts About the 50 States") but focusing primarily on booze, boozers and boozing (with a few asides to tobacco and marijuana regulation). Interesting, insightful and engaging. Highly recommended.

[Will Manuel · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some really good portions of this book. However, the Brit who wrote it is fairly pretentious and also somewhat repetitive. What I had hoped to be a reasoned outsiders perspective of America was not as great. I do recommend it to any bartenders, chefs or food service managers because it will give you some funny stories to relate. Just skip over the boring parts.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author does have an agenda, but not one I necesarily disagree with. Nice to see where many of our social hang ups and drinking customs (ever wonder why we drink beer so cold you can't taste it?) come from. Definitely wirth the read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tells you why Americans like their beer cold. An enabling look at the history of alcohol consumption in our society.

[Hal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though some have called me an alcoholic, I could never deny it. This book served as basis for my attack of a legal drinking age when I was younger, i.e. cared.

[Jennell McHugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great reference book in the way the chapters are designed.

Learned and laughed from the extensive quotes and research tangled through the narrative.

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent perspective on al of American history, not simply drinking.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good stuff but not put together very well. At least that's the note I wrote to myself when I finished this book. I did learn quite a bit.

[Elaine Selfridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't finish this book. Seriously the footnotes are out of hand. If you can't get your point across in the body of the book, then you're doing something wrong.

[Steve Grayell · Rating 4 out of 5]

actually a british social history of drink ....hilarous and enlightening