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Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things.
Gin tastes like Christmas to some and rotten pine chips to others, but nearly everyone familiar with the spirit holds immediate gin nostalgia.
Although early medical textbooks treated it as a healing agent, early alchemists (as well as their critics) claimed gin's base was a path to immortality-and also Satan's tool. In more recent times, the gin trade consolidated the commercial and political power of nations and prompted a social campaign against women. Gin has been used successfully as a defense for murder; blamed for massive unrest in 18th-century England; and advertised for as an abortifacient.
From its harshest proto-gin distillation days to the current smooth craft models, gin plays a powerful cultural role in film, music, and literature-one that is arguably older, broader, and more complex than any other spirit.
Object Lessons is published in partnership with an essay series in The Atlantic.
Gin tastes like Christmas to some and rotten pine chips to others, but nearly everyone familiar with the spirit holds immediate gin nostalgia.
Although early medical textbooks treated it as a healing agent, early alchemists (as well as their critics) claimed gin's base was a path to immortality-and also Satan's tool. In more recent times, the gin trade consolidated the commercial and political power of nations and prompted a social campaign against women. Gin has been used successfully as a defense for murder; blamed for massive unrest in 18th-century England; and advertised for as an abortifacient.
From its harshest proto-gin distillation days to the current smooth craft models, gin plays a powerful cultural role in film, music, and literature-one that is arguably older, broader, and more complex than any other spirit.
Object Lessons is published in partnership with an essay series in The Atlantic.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 27, 2025
From the Bloomsbury Object Lessons series. Humphrey was introduced to gin at 16 when the manager of the movie theater where she worked gave her Pepsi cups of gin and grapefruit juice. Luckily, that didn’t precede any kind of misconduct and she’s been fond of gin ever since. She takes readers through the etymology of gin (from the Dutch genever; I startled the bartender by ordering a glass of neat vieux ginèvre at a bar in Brussels in September), the single necessary ingredient (juniper), the distillation process, the varieties (single- or double-distilled; Old Tom with sugar added), the different neutral spirits or grain bases that can be used (at a recent tasting I had gins made from apples and potatoes), and appearances in popular culture from William Hogarth’s preachy prints through The African Queen and James Bond to rap music. I found plenty of interesting tidbits – Samuel Pepys mentions gin (well, “strong water made of juniper,” anyway) in his diary as a constipation cure – but the writing is nothing special, I knew a lot of technical details from distillery tours, and I would have liked more exploration of the modern gin craze. “Gin is, in many ways, how I see myself: comfortable, but evolving,” Humphrey writes. “Gin has always interested a younger generation of drinker, as well as commitment from the older crowd, while maintaining a reputation among the middle aged. It is unique that way.” That checks out from my experience of tastings and the fact that it’s my mother-in-law’s tipple of choice as well.
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
November 9, 2020
There is no point getting parochial over this stuff. I have said in other Object Lesson reviews that these books work best if they aren't coming from an obvious place. I don't need another white, Englishman's view of the history of Gin, no matter how much of that history is intertwined with England itself. Nevertheless I wobbled with the opening story here, Shonna Milliken Humphrey's first taste of gin being in shooting range around the back of a cinema mixed in a large paper cup with grapefruit juice. Very much gin and juice, and while she has happily moved on to G&T's via nearly all the alcohols out there, there is a viewpoint here that is a lot lighter than a lot of the Object Lesson monograms. This take is aided by a very up front reading list of places where most of her stories come from. "Here are the deep dive books on the history of Gin", she is saying, "this is a silly little bunch of stories designed to be read with a gin in the other hand and entertain". So I did as commanded, got some Menorcan gin and supped.
Not claiming any serious intent for you work of scholarship is a neat trick if the stories are good, and on the whole they are. Very few surprise, Hogarth's Gin Alley turns up, as does a significant amount of discussion of the development of genever to gin. This could almost be a book about juniper, and whilst she discusses the sides taken in the gin world about how many botanicals you throw in, and the controversies over who might make your neutral spirit, she doesn't take sides. Its gin, its not actually that important is the editorial line
This makes the book the closest to a stocking filler of any of these books I've read (compare to the suicide attempt at the start of Bulletproof Vest). I think she is right, gins hand in horror has always been as a bit part player, yet it part fuelled the Royal Navy, but not as much as rum, and certainly we didn't go an annex a part of the world for its Juniper harvest. She is good at summing up the sensory pleasures of a gin and tonic in particular, the clink of ice in the glass, the hissy fizz of the tonic, the smack of juniper. Gin exists, she is saying, and its had an interesting history. If you aren't interesting in gin, why the hell are you reading my book on Gin?
Not claiming any serious intent for you work of scholarship is a neat trick if the stories are good, and on the whole they are. Very few surprise, Hogarth's Gin Alley turns up, as does a significant amount of discussion of the development of genever to gin. This could almost be a book about juniper, and whilst she discusses the sides taken in the gin world about how many botanicals you throw in, and the controversies over who might make your neutral spirit, she doesn't take sides. Its gin, its not actually that important is the editorial line
This makes the book the closest to a stocking filler of any of these books I've read (compare to the suicide attempt at the start of Bulletproof Vest). I think she is right, gins hand in horror has always been as a bit part player, yet it part fuelled the Royal Navy, but not as much as rum, and certainly we didn't go an annex a part of the world for its Juniper harvest. She is good at summing up the sensory pleasures of a gin and tonic in particular, the clink of ice in the glass, the hissy fizz of the tonic, the smack of juniper. Gin exists, she is saying, and its had an interesting history. If you aren't interesting in gin, why the hell are you reading my book on Gin?
November 30, 2020
Having read many of this wonderful Object Lessons series (thank you NetGalley) this one is written in the style I enjoy most – factual and informative and not too self-indulgent on the part of the author. In this case Humphrey’s personal interjections are both interesting and illuminating and add to the reading pleasure. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about gin is here – serious, well-researched history but narrated with a light touch. Highly recommended.
November 11, 2020
This book is one in the series of Object Lessons books, and as someone who loves a good G&T, and a trivia and history buff, I thought why not grab a drink and peruse this tome. There’s nothing earth shattering here, no deeply held secrets, but there might be some history to your favorite drink that you were unaware of like how the Martini got it’s name, or why do we drink gin with tonic water? The author also includes plenty of pop culture references, song lyrics, and of course, “shaken not stirred”.
This would be a great gift for the gin enthusiast in your life, or to add to your bar. Plenty of conversation starters with the illustrations and advertising alone.
One thing I will say, I’m jealous of the author getting to travel around to all the tasting rooms and distilleries fir her research.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This would be a great gift for the gin enthusiast in your life, or to add to your bar. Plenty of conversation starters with the illustrations and advertising alone.
One thing I will say, I’m jealous of the author getting to travel around to all the tasting rooms and distilleries fir her research.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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September 1, 2020I've not read many of the Object Lessons books, partly because having mentally categorised them as '33 1/3 for stuff', many of the topics have seemed to lack the necessary thing-ness (Hashtag, Traffic, Environment? Too small, too abstract, too big. Bring me *objects*, I say, banging the desk like J Jonah Jameson). Gin, though, that qualifies, just like the last one I read, Potato. Indeed, you can make the one from the other - one very interesting section covers the US legal definition of gin, whereby one maker, intending to produce a barrel-aged gin, very nearly found themselves producing whiskey instead. Elsewhere, the roads taken were more familiar; Humphrey freely admits to being an enthusiastic amateur keen to introduce others, and obviously she could hardly omit the gin craze, Hogarth, Fielding &c, though occasionally odd readings creep in, as when she talks about Pepys taking "strong water made from juniper" medicinally, then suggesting that, being a respected man, if he had taken it for pleasure he probably wouldn't have admitted that in writing. Which seems rather to overlook some of the other pleasures he did admit in writing, albeit coded. More subjectively, I was surprised to see the Divine Comedy's Gin-Soaked Boy described as a sad song - though in a sense all Divine Comedy songs are sad right now, because I was meant to be seeing them play Liberation and Promenade in full tomorrow.
Still, these were the exceptions. For the most part, her enthusiasm is winning, her research intriguing and her musings illuminating (the one that's particularly lingered - why are there so many more gin-flavoured things than juniper-flavoured, and what does that even mean?). Although one little nugget in the acknowledgements could have sustained a chapter of its own - she did all of this investigating, collecting, and sampling of gin while married to a recovering alcoholic, who apparently didn't mind!
(Netgalley ARC)
Still, these were the exceptions. For the most part, her enthusiasm is winning, her research intriguing and her musings illuminating (the one that's particularly lingered - why are there so many more gin-flavoured things than juniper-flavoured, and what does that even mean?). Although one little nugget in the acknowledgements could have sustained a chapter of its own - she did all of this investigating, collecting, and sampling of gin while married to a recovering alcoholic, who apparently didn't mind!
(Netgalley ARC)
January 4, 2021
I'm surprised at the other reviews since I was disappointed in this book, but to each their own, I guess.
To be honest, I felt a bit ripped off. About a quarter of the book consists of a long index at the end, and there is an extensive early discussion of other meanings for the word "gin" which seemed like padding to me. This chapter and the other of the first two in the book did not offer me much). Most of the rest of the book (which is about the remaining half) is about the history. The part dealing with gin is moderately interesting; the history of distillation in general did not interest me.
The author apparently researched this subject in at least eight cities, read five books on gin and visited seven web sites. This book does not seem to be much to show for all that work.
I'm not convinced that gin is as iconic in American society as the book argues. Most of my friends do not drink it. Sure, it is in movies a lot, but are we sure those are not vodka martinis? To say that gin is mentioned often and thus primary is not convincing without comparative information on other alcoholic beverages.
My guess is this book was not intended for someone with my interests. I am curious how gins differ (aside from Hendricks and Old Toms), where they are produced and in what quantities, and what the state of craft gin distilling. Perhaps cocktail recipes would have added t my knowledge. . Many years ago I visited two gin distilleries in London and was astonished at how different the taste profiles were; I'd have liked to learn more about how to know what to expect from various products.
There are some problems reading this on a kindle, including typographical glitches, and it would have been better to spell correctly the name of the Richard Rodgers Theater.
To be honest, I felt a bit ripped off. About a quarter of the book consists of a long index at the end, and there is an extensive early discussion of other meanings for the word "gin" which seemed like padding to me. This chapter and the other of the first two in the book did not offer me much). Most of the rest of the book (which is about the remaining half) is about the history. The part dealing with gin is moderately interesting; the history of distillation in general did not interest me.
The author apparently researched this subject in at least eight cities, read five books on gin and visited seven web sites. This book does not seem to be much to show for all that work.
I'm not convinced that gin is as iconic in American society as the book argues. Most of my friends do not drink it. Sure, it is in movies a lot, but are we sure those are not vodka martinis? To say that gin is mentioned often and thus primary is not convincing without comparative information on other alcoholic beverages.
My guess is this book was not intended for someone with my interests. I am curious how gins differ (aside from Hendricks and Old Toms), where they are produced and in what quantities, and what the state of craft gin distilling. Perhaps cocktail recipes would have added t my knowledge. . Many years ago I visited two gin distilleries in London and was astonished at how different the taste profiles were; I'd have liked to learn more about how to know what to expect from various products.
There are some problems reading this on a kindle, including typographical glitches, and it would have been better to spell correctly the name of the Richard Rodgers Theater.
September 11, 2020
Gin by Shonna Milliken Humphrey is a recent addition to the Object Lessons series from Bloomsbury Academic. This is one of the more straightforward volumes in the series, probably what many readers would expect.
One of the positives of the series is that each writer is given a lot of freedom to approach the topic, or object, as they see fit. This means some volumes lean heavily toward personal experience using the object as a touchstone, others look at how no word and no object is ever as plain and simple as whatever the common understanding of it is. Humphrey manages to touch on the personal, discuss the various etymological possibilities as well as common usages, then focuses on the usage every reader came to the book expecting to read about, the beverage.
The amount of information in this short book is astounding, from history to distilling to popular culture and everything in between. She keeps the reader's attention throughout while offering many interesting tidbits.
I recommend this to readers who enjoy quick, well-researched books about, well, everyday objects. This would make a wonderful gift for the gin drinker or the bartender, as well as a nice addition for a reader who just likes to learn things. I would also recommend the other books in the series, though for some thee depth is confusing because they can't follow when words and linguistics are looked at any way other than ultra conservatively (probably a Tory).
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
One of the positives of the series is that each writer is given a lot of freedom to approach the topic, or object, as they see fit. This means some volumes lean heavily toward personal experience using the object as a touchstone, others look at how no word and no object is ever as plain and simple as whatever the common understanding of it is. Humphrey manages to touch on the personal, discuss the various etymological possibilities as well as common usages, then focuses on the usage every reader came to the book expecting to read about, the beverage.
The amount of information in this short book is astounding, from history to distilling to popular culture and everything in between. She keeps the reader's attention throughout while offering many interesting tidbits.
I recommend this to readers who enjoy quick, well-researched books about, well, everyday objects. This would make a wonderful gift for the gin drinker or the bartender, as well as a nice addition for a reader who just likes to learn things. I would also recommend the other books in the series, though for some thee depth is confusing because they can't follow when words and linguistics are looked at any way other than ultra conservatively (probably a Tory).
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
October 19, 2020
This is a history of gin, told in a breezy, fun way. This is as apolitical as a book can be, in stark contrast with Fat. I enjoyed the history and I certainly learnt a lot about gin. I remember a couple of years ago finding out that gin is basically clear spirit with botanicals - no aging, and you can make gin with a base of a bottle of Aldi vodka, and I've kind of been wanting to try! While this book sets gin in it's various historical contexts, it breezes through economic inequality and gender issues with a very neutral eye. Perfectly valid, and it's made me think about both gin and different representations of history. And it's got a great cover.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2020
A few year ago now, a book I was reviewing on the Jack the Ripper murders featured a most memorable detail – I think it was the third victim, and the person who raised the hue and cry over the death had just left a pub, having wrapped himself round a tot or five of gin. This was about five in the morning or so, and I don't remember whether his shift work meant this was supper or breakfast, but it's so startlingly different to the many licensing restrictions and suchlike these days. Gin back then was of course a lot cheaper, a lot more lightly taxed, and had for centuries been a lot safer to drink, even as if it was flowing freely from a tap, than anything that might have actually come from a water tap, assuming you owned one.
Gin doesn't really feature in the Jack the Ripper cases per se, but it was a detail that stuck in the mind. Still, here in these few short pages there are crimes to be had, and by no means are they reduced to illicit stills, the Prohibition, and suchlike. There is also everything else you would want – the history of the drink, the history of the different styles of gin, the drink as a personal creation and as an industrial product; as a drink to be had neat, in a cocktail, or hot. There is in fact so much here that it makes this feel a fully comprehensive study of the subject, to the extent that this book hardly fits with the rest in this series. Where is the ultra-left language-bowdlerising of the current pussy-footing academe; where is the tenuous personal verbiage with so little to say about anything, let along the topic at hand; where is the off-hand cultural reference that adds little? None of that is here, meaning this book is perfectly adept at just giving me an ideal amount of time in touch with gin, in a most educational way. To a general reader at least, this series is designed to keep you reading for a couple of hours about a topic you'd never expect to find yourself perusing. Gin, for me at least, is such a subject – and I could hardly wish for those couple of hours to have been better written. A strong four stars.
Gin doesn't really feature in the Jack the Ripper cases per se, but it was a detail that stuck in the mind. Still, here in these few short pages there are crimes to be had, and by no means are they reduced to illicit stills, the Prohibition, and suchlike. There is also everything else you would want – the history of the drink, the history of the different styles of gin, the drink as a personal creation and as an industrial product; as a drink to be had neat, in a cocktail, or hot. There is in fact so much here that it makes this feel a fully comprehensive study of the subject, to the extent that this book hardly fits with the rest in this series. Where is the ultra-left language-bowdlerising of the current pussy-footing academe; where is the tenuous personal verbiage with so little to say about anything, let along the topic at hand; where is the off-hand cultural reference that adds little? None of that is here, meaning this book is perfectly adept at just giving me an ideal amount of time in touch with gin, in a most educational way. To a general reader at least, this series is designed to keep you reading for a couple of hours about a topic you'd never expect to find yourself perusing. Gin, for me at least, is such a subject – and I could hardly wish for those couple of hours to have been better written. A strong four stars.
September 17, 2021
This book is what I expected of Object Lessons series to be like. There is a history, a rumination, and exploration about the object in question and with a little author history, but not too much. Of course, now that I’ve read a few of these books I realize that was my idea, not necessarily the editors or publisher’s idea. Okay, I understand now, it is up to the author to take on the topic with nearly no limitations.
Yet, here we do have an investigation of gin, it’s beginnings and history, why it became popular in England, and why it continues to be popular and not just in England. How gin is made, types and flavors, and what cocktail drinks are popular with gin in it. We also have an exploration of gin appearing in books, movies, songs and other popular culture. And a fun section on gincindents, where embarrassing moments arise from consuming too much of that gin. For myself I loved reading the history of gin the most.
While enjoying the book’s topics there were times the writing style was awkward, and perhaps this was fixed before publication. I can only go by the copy I have, which is a pre-publication.
Book rating: 3.5
Thanks to Bloomsbury Academic and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
Yet, here we do have an investigation of gin, it’s beginnings and history, why it became popular in England, and why it continues to be popular and not just in England. How gin is made, types and flavors, and what cocktail drinks are popular with gin in it. We also have an exploration of gin appearing in books, movies, songs and other popular culture. And a fun section on gincindents, where embarrassing moments arise from consuming too much of that gin. For myself I loved reading the history of gin the most.
While enjoying the book’s topics there were times the writing style was awkward, and perhaps this was fixed before publication. I can only go by the copy I have, which is a pre-publication.
Book rating: 3.5
Thanks to Bloomsbury Academic and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
January 17, 2021
Friends and I can spend hours over analysing bizarre factoids, misheard song lyrics and general inane conversations like
★ how would a cat hold a pen (obviously in it's tail)
★ if you were a robot, would you know you're a robot (no - but if I was a robot and you were a robot I would know that you were a robot)
★ Bluetooth: science or magic (of course it's magic!!)
Shonna Milliken Humphrey states her novella about Gin is more a lecture style but I disagree. It feels like it has more in common with these types of oddbod conversations as she sits in her garden glider and dazzles friends and family with gin factoids at a sunny Sunday BBQ. Ideas that spark further conversation are much more memorable than idle chitchat about football, weather, politics or tv gossip.
It is an interesting showcase of all things gin from early political propaganda machinations to very important discussions about James Bond's drink of choice. It doesn't take itself too seriously, has all the whimsy and quirks I enjoy about the Object Lessons series, and is just a lot of fun.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Academic for the ARC.
★ how would a cat hold a pen (obviously in it's tail)
★ if you were a robot, would you know you're a robot (no - but if I was a robot and you were a robot I would know that you were a robot)
★ Bluetooth: science or magic (of course it's magic!!)
Shonna Milliken Humphrey states her novella about Gin is more a lecture style but I disagree. It feels like it has more in common with these types of oddbod conversations as she sits in her garden glider and dazzles friends and family with gin factoids at a sunny Sunday BBQ. Ideas that spark further conversation are much more memorable than idle chitchat about football, weather, politics or tv gossip.
It is an interesting showcase of all things gin from early political propaganda machinations to very important discussions about James Bond's drink of choice. It doesn't take itself too seriously, has all the whimsy and quirks I enjoy about the Object Lessons series, and is just a lot of fun.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Academic for the ARC.
October 10, 2020
This was a fun book written in a simple, conversational style. I loved the range of topics related to gin that the author covered - from the linguistics to production to politics to entertainment. Humphrey covers so many different events and ideas that there's something to pique the interest of everyone, no matter what your own niche interest might be. My personal interest is in 18th century Britain, so I found the discussion of Hogarth, "Puss and Mew" houses (a.k.a. the first vending machines!), Gin Acts, and especially the gendered debates surrounding gin to be fascinating. I'll definitely be looking to pick up more installments in the Object Lessons series.
Fun sidebar: I read the majority of this in a liquor store (I work there and have a lot of downtime for reading). I had more than a few breaks to examine the shelves of gin bottles and consider everything Humphrey was talking about.
Fun sidebar: I read the majority of this in a liquor store (I work there and have a lot of downtime for reading). I had more than a few breaks to examine the shelves of gin bottles and consider everything Humphrey was talking about.
October 23, 2025
I love gin and expected this book to be an interesting read. The cover caught my eye and definitely makes you think ‘gin’! It’s part of the Object Lessons series which I’ve never heard of before. The author has apparently done a lot of research into gin and its history but I’m not sure this is fully evident in the book.
The book is written quite accessibly and covers the history of gin, the gin making process and references to it in films and literature. I felt the book was a bit haphazard and not very engaging. As a result I found myself skim reading it as it didn’t hold my interest.
2.5 stars rounded to 2.
The book is written quite accessibly and covers the history of gin, the gin making process and references to it in films and literature. I felt the book was a bit haphazard and not very engaging. As a result I found myself skim reading it as it didn’t hold my interest.
2.5 stars rounded to 2.
December 10, 2020
In younger days I’m sure we all had a bad experience of gin. I certainly did. It’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve rediscovered it. It’s now my drink of choice. What this book does brilliantly is it takes you on the journey of gin. It’s history. How it’s made. I’ve loved finding out about the different types. Old Tom. London Dry.
Read this book and have a greater appreciation of the drink. This book is best read with your favourite gin over ice with a premium tonic.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc
Read this book and have a greater appreciation of the drink. This book is best read with your favourite gin over ice with a premium tonic.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc
September 20, 2023
I recently discovered this series of short books on everyday objects, so I decided to read a few (I read wine before this; coffee is next.) It’s refreshing that there doesn’t seem to be any preordained format for the books, and each other is given free reign to take the narrative path that they feel called for take. This one, for example, is much more didactic than the one on wine (which skewed more toward memoir). In my opinion the touch was a bit TOO light throughout the many short chapters, but I still managed to get a nice lesson on the history of gin and its place in pop culture.
October 21, 2020
This was a cool little nonfiction book about all different aspects of gin. Instead of going into crazy detail that made me want to put the book down and only pick it up once a week to read a chapter, this was concise and I flew through in a couple of sittings. We've got history, we've got science, we've got multimedia. If you have any interest at all in gin, this is a great way to learn a little bit more.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 16, 2020
A fantastic short read about one of my favourite drinks, gin. There are plenty of interesting facts here and a pleasant chatty narration style from the author.
This would be a great book to be given as a Christmas or birthday gift alongside a bottle of the good stuff.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.
This would be a great book to be given as a Christmas or birthday gift alongside a bottle of the good stuff.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.
January 2, 2021
Ring in the new year with "Gin"!
This book was such a fun read. I eagerly await whatever Ms. Milliken Humphrey's singular curiosity and effervescent storytelling brings us next.
This book was such a fun read. I eagerly await whatever Ms. Milliken Humphrey's singular curiosity and effervescent storytelling brings us next.
May 9, 2021
Left me wanting to try out a lot more gin, so hey!
April 10, 2022
Cheery and diverting.
July 26, 2022
One of the most accessible and fun books of the series. The author’s personal introduction to the topic is a hilarious scene of American eccentricity. I enjoyed reading every chapter, I learned a lot, and I drank some cheap gin that I like. I’m doubtful other spirits could warrant as interesting a book.
What I learned: The Philippines consumes the most gin per capita. William S Burroughs killed his wife by trying to shoot a gin glass from her head. If it contains juniper then it’s gin. It’s that simple, but also explains why taste can vary so much. Old Tom gin vending machines are ingenious and silly. Drinking from a lead pipe in a wall under a carving of a cat. Maybe a hip bar should bring this back?
What I learned: The Philippines consumes the most gin per capita. William S Burroughs killed his wife by trying to shoot a gin glass from her head. If it contains juniper then it’s gin. It’s that simple, but also explains why taste can vary so much. Old Tom gin vending machines are ingenious and silly. Drinking from a lead pipe in a wall under a carving of a cat. Maybe a hip bar should bring this back?
December 19, 2021
I really wanted to like this, but it was a bit too informal and rambling, more like a blog or podcast than a book. There are interesting facts scattered among lots of personal reflections and asides, but for a thorough background, it sounds like you'd be better off reading some of the books the author cites frequently.
Still, I'd try another title in this series, or sip a G&T with the author.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Still, I'd try another title in this series, or sip a G&T with the author.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews