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Moonshine: A Celebration of America's Original Rebel Spirit
White lightning . . . XXX . . . Firewater.
Whatever you call it, moonshine is America’s original rebel spirit.
This ultimate must-have for aspiring moonshine connoisseurs, boozy history buffs, and party seekers everywhere is a buzz-worthy ride through moonshine’s legendary history. From its roots in the hollows of Appalachia and keeping the good times flowing through Prohibition to its headlining status today as a pop culture icon, Moonshine tells the rip-roaring story of the moonshiners who became folk heroes for the ages and how their batches of XXX endure as the favorite thirst-quencher of millions.
While stirring the rebel in each of us, Moonshine also gives you a bootleg up on hosting get-togethers and parties with a dream stash of 100 recipes for infusions and cocktails using moonshine as a main ingredient—Moonshine Monkey, Dirt Road Colada, Lemongrass & Mint Mojito, Smokey Mountain S’More, and many more. Plus, other fun-starters throughout the book include moonshine-themed playlists and a how-to for throwing an unforgettable moonshiner’s movie night.
Moonshine: A Celebration of America’s Original Rebel Spirit proves once and for all that the best things in life still come in jugs and Mason jars.
Whatever you call it, moonshine is America’s original rebel spirit.
This ultimate must-have for aspiring moonshine connoisseurs, boozy history buffs, and party seekers everywhere is a buzz-worthy ride through moonshine’s legendary history. From its roots in the hollows of Appalachia and keeping the good times flowing through Prohibition to its headlining status today as a pop culture icon, Moonshine tells the rip-roaring story of the moonshiners who became folk heroes for the ages and how their batches of XXX endure as the favorite thirst-quencher of millions.
While stirring the rebel in each of us, Moonshine also gives you a bootleg up on hosting get-togethers and parties with a dream stash of 100 recipes for infusions and cocktails using moonshine as a main ingredient—Moonshine Monkey, Dirt Road Colada, Lemongrass & Mint Mojito, Smokey Mountain S’More, and many more. Plus, other fun-starters throughout the book include moonshine-themed playlists and a how-to for throwing an unforgettable moonshiner’s movie night.
Moonshine: A Celebration of America’s Original Rebel Spirit proves once and for all that the best things in life still come in jugs and Mason jars.
- GenresNonfictionFoodHistory
256 pages, Hardcover
Published September 25, 2018
9 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
John Schlimm
36 books22 followersJohn Schlimm is a Harvard-trained educator, artist, activist, and international award-winning writer.
His newest book is EXTRAORDINARY DOGS: Stories From Search and Rescue Dogs, Comfort Dogs, and Other Canine Heroes. John’s other books include the Christopher Award-winning memoir Five Years in Heaven: The Unlikely Friendship That Answered Life’s Greatest Questions; Moonshine: A Celebration of America’s Original Rebel Spirit; Stand Up!: 75 Young Activists Who Rock the World, And How You Can, Too!; and a series of plant-based cookbooks, including The Tipsy Vegan, Grilling Vegan Style, The Cheesy Vegan, and The Ultimate Beer Lover’s Happy Hour.
A professor in the Communication and the Arts Division at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, John has also traveled the country speaking about inspirational/motivational topics, cooking, entertaining, and public relations, including his "Embrace Compassion, Change the World" keynote address on Capitol Hill and his rousing commencement address titled “The Road to YES is Paved with Many NO’s”.
He has appeared on such national media outlets as The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, NPR, Martha Stewart Living's Everyday Food, The Splendid Table, QVC, and Fox & Friends.
As an artist, John is the creator of such Participatory Art pieces as Planting COMPASSION; The Garden of Gratitude; and THE SMILE THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (is yours), which has been installed at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, as well as in Canada and Washington, D.C.
His newest book is EXTRAORDINARY DOGS: Stories From Search and Rescue Dogs, Comfort Dogs, and Other Canine Heroes. John’s other books include the Christopher Award-winning memoir Five Years in Heaven: The Unlikely Friendship That Answered Life’s Greatest Questions; Moonshine: A Celebration of America’s Original Rebel Spirit; Stand Up!: 75 Young Activists Who Rock the World, And How You Can, Too!; and a series of plant-based cookbooks, including The Tipsy Vegan, Grilling Vegan Style, The Cheesy Vegan, and The Ultimate Beer Lover’s Happy Hour.
A professor in the Communication and the Arts Division at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, John has also traveled the country speaking about inspirational/motivational topics, cooking, entertaining, and public relations, including his "Embrace Compassion, Change the World" keynote address on Capitol Hill and his rousing commencement address titled “The Road to YES is Paved with Many NO’s”.
He has appeared on such national media outlets as The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, NPR, Martha Stewart Living's Everyday Food, The Splendid Table, QVC, and Fox & Friends.
As an artist, John is the creator of such Participatory Art pieces as Planting COMPASSION; The Garden of Gratitude; and THE SMILE THAT CHANGED THE WORLD (is yours), which has been installed at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, as well as in Canada and Washington, D.C.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 19, 2018
I was so excited to read the history of the moonshiners. I come from a long long of them. My Daddy and Granddaddy made moonshine and my Mother bootlegged it. The history of how moonshine was made and sold from the early days of our country thru the years and even now. One thing of interest is about how they needed faster cars to keep from being caught and helped with raced these cars. NASCAR is part of that. Songs, movies and television have all caught the romance, yes romance of these hidden, backwoods stills and the people who run them. There are a lot of recipes as well as history in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it all. It is of great interest to a lot of people. I received this book from Net Galley and Kensington Books for a honest review and no compensation otherwise. 5+ and I'm buying my niece a copy of it.
October 18, 2018
It's hard to keep good stuff down! It was only a matter of time before prohibition ended on it and it became a viable product (much like pot!) I've had the illegal drink on several occasions over my lifetime and while I think it can remove wallpaper, I also think it was thrilling to drink a historical beverage. And one so well fought for! Kudos to those bootleggers of vintage and current! This book is a fun, quick, and interesting read for anyone who enjoys their alcohol (responsible, I should hope..). The historical record is all here, and fascinating, as are all the delicious drinking to be made using the white lightning! This would make a fine gift for a connoisseur of moonshine!
I received a Kindle ARC in exchange for a fair review from Netgalley.
I received a Kindle ARC in exchange for a fair review from Netgalley.
January 25, 2020
This is a great introduction book. There are more detailed books on moonshine, but if you are curious... this is a good book to start your reading on moonshine.
February 28, 2019
I've recently been trying to learn more about Kentucky (took me long enough, since I've now lived here for almost 6 years), and part of that includes getting more into the history of bourbon and whiskey. As I've been on the various distillery tours, there's always a mention or two about moonshine and bootleggers and their history in the state, and as such, I was excited to read Moonshine when I stumbled across it.
Unfortunately, the book I got was not the book I wanted. Although there are bits and pieces of history, including some small spotlights on important individuals in moonshine history and lore, this book was largely repeated platitudes regarding moonshine as the original spirit in America and how bootleggers embodied the rebel spirit of the country. Those things may be true, but I was hoping for a more in-depth look at moonshine and its importance in American history. On top of that, the last section of the book was simply recipes for cocktails, and while I will admit that some of them looked pretty good, if I had wanted some cocktail recipes, I would've just gone to Pinterest.
All in all, Moonshine was a let down, but there was just enough information to give me a starting place to learn more about the history of spirits in America and earn this book 3 stars.
Unfortunately, the book I got was not the book I wanted. Although there are bits and pieces of history, including some small spotlights on important individuals in moonshine history and lore, this book was largely repeated platitudes regarding moonshine as the original spirit in America and how bootleggers embodied the rebel spirit of the country. Those things may be true, but I was hoping for a more in-depth look at moonshine and its importance in American history. On top of that, the last section of the book was simply recipes for cocktails, and while I will admit that some of them looked pretty good, if I had wanted some cocktail recipes, I would've just gone to Pinterest.
All in all, Moonshine was a let down, but there was just enough information to give me a starting place to learn more about the history of spirits in America and earn this book 3 stars.
August 31, 2018
An enjoyable read for anyone who wants to delve more into Moonshine, its history, and just in general learn more about it.
Well written and well researched, this non-fiction takes you on a journey through the history of moonshine, all of its meanings and uses, and how it has left its mark. Highly recommend to anyone who is an alcohol fan or just wants to learn more!
Well written and well researched, this non-fiction takes you on a journey through the history of moonshine, all of its meanings and uses, and how it has left its mark. Highly recommend to anyone who is an alcohol fan or just wants to learn more!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews