El arte de beber: Un manual de sabiduría atemporal sobre el arte de embriagarse

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers

by Vincent Obsopoeus, Michael Fontaine (Editor), Jacinto Pariente (Translator)

¿Existe un arte de beber alcohol? ¿Puede ser considerado incluso una virtud? El poeta renacentista Vincent Obsopoeo así lo pensaba. En los viñedos de la Alemania del siglo XVI, fue testigo del nacimiento de una nueva cultura de borracheras, novatadas, presiones de grupo y competiciones de bebida. Inspirándose en El arte de amar de Ovidio, escribió como antídoto contra estos excesos El arte de beber (1536), un manual sobre cómo beber con placer y buen criterio.
Para Obsopoeo, la moderación, y no la abstinencia, es la clave de una sobriedad duradera. Beber puede ser una virtud si se siguen ciertas reglas y se observan determinados límites. El autor nos enseña cómo gestionar el consumo de alcohol, cómo ganar amigos en reuniones sociales y cómo hacer un brindis adecuado. Pero también admite que beber en exceso, en ocasiones, está bien, citando una amplia experiencia personal.

La primera traducción al español de la obra de Obsopoeo, en una prosa viva y contemporánea, presenta un texto tan embriagador hoy como cuando se publicó por primera vez. Ahora, bebedores de todo tipo y edad (permitida) pueden descorchar por fin este clásico olvidado.

Vincent Obsopoeo (1485-1539), fue un humanista, filólogo y traductor alemán. Tradujo obras del teólogo Martín Lutero así como de autores de la Antigüedad. Su obra más conocida es De arte bibendi, publicada en 1536, de la que se publicó una primera traducción en alemán en el año 1537.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Classics, History, Audiobook, Food and Drink

194 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1536

Reviews

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good, but not as interesting as the other books in this Princeton University Press series.

[Massimo Pigliucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

How could one possibly resist picking up a book entitled "How to Drink"? It's part of the Princeton Press ongoing "Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers" series, which I am commenting on systematically and extensively at my Substack newsletter. This particular entry isn't really "ancient," since Vincent Obsopoeus was a Renaissance writer. Nevertheless, the book is both funny and, in fact, useful. A good question concerns just how seriously we should take it, though. Part I is about how to drink moderately; part II about the awful consequences of drunkenness... but part III teaches us how to win at drinking games!

[Ender Campoverde · Rating 5 out of 5]

an entertaining reminder that moderation is always key, and how foolish drunkenness can be.

[Anne Kamsteeg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Irritantste vertaling die ik ooit heb gelezen

[Vincent Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun little read. Obsopoeus is essentially a german renaissance writer, who writes a parody of Ovid's "Art of Love" but instead of offering advice on love, offers advice on drinking. The book is quite funny and entertaining. The poet suggests that one drink at home with one's wife, it's so much easier and enjoyable than going out. But if one had to go out, one should choose good drinking friends and try not to antagonize by them by boasting, or telling mean jokes about them. The poet also spends considerable time blasting complete drunkenness, and suggests moderation in response. Lastly, the poem suggests some tips for winning drinking games, from spacing out one's drinking, and making sure that each drink is matched down to cheating by drinking weaker wines than rivals. A modern read, that was briefly put on the banned books list for bad mouthing the pope (though the poet explicitly has no problems with drinking with Catholics, who he thinks pour from large bottles), that is a lighthearted and commonsensical guide to that modern hobby.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to Arthur Morgan talk to me about the proper way to drink will never not be hilarious, even if he is doing it in a pompous Australian voice. I know good and well that pompous Australian is not Roger Clark's regular accent, because I've listened to him in interviews. He's an Australian trying to sound like Peter Cushing, and that's the end of it.

[Leonardo Penagos Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy buen libro para los que se pasan de copas

[Cat Caie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like the translation of this text was a bit lackluster and unromantic

[Greg Mcneilly]

HOW TO DRINK: A Classical Guide to the Art of Imbibing | Vincent Obsopoeus, Princeton University Press, p285.

This Latin poem, written in 1536, by German Vincent Obsopoeus became for its time a best seller. Given the standard practice at its time of publication was allocating 7 liters of wine per day to hospital patients, one can understand the culture's demand for such a guidebook. It went through several reprints. Sixteenth Century Europe saw the rise of competitive drinking contests as a replacement for jousting, pressured drinking, and a general culture of imbibing that overtook many aspects of life.

While some of it is clearly pure jest, Obsopoeus is generally serious in addressing his topic. He divides his approach into three "books:" 1) The Art of Drinking, Sustainability with Discrimination. 2) Excessive Drinking, What it Looks Like, and 3) How to Win at Drinking Games.

The author argues moderation, not abstinence, is the key to lifelong sobriety. (Reflexively, I recall, Wilde's: Everything in moderation, including moderation.) Obsopoeus approves of binge drinking and drunkenness, particularly at festivals but scorns it as a chronic habit. He advises a full meal before heavy consumption, ideally of a "nimble cow's roasted lung," along with plenty of water. Timeless advice.

Some of the tome's guidance read like advice column content or Stephen Covey fodder. For example, Steer clear of people always picking fights… bragging is a character flaw… your drink should allow for frank talk but not snooty criticism… you should enter a party with a relaxed smile.

This work is made all the more impressive knowing it was penned by Luther's foremost translator of his time. Obsopoeus is even tolerant enough to encourage Papists to be fine drinking companions, "they fill cups generously," so long as they don't engage in blasphemy. Book 1 is well worth the read, even for teetotalers.

[J.D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bueno, que esto pasó de ameno y divertido a limitado y agotador. Me gustó que el texto en general escribe sobre la prudencia, sobre la prevención, sobre hacer del beber, la juerga y el juego una experiencia, un acontecimiento único y consagrado; una forma de relación con lo divino. Me gustó mucho que el narrador de Obsopoeo se contradijera, y me gustó que hablara de la virtud, del comportamiento del hombre justo y virtuoso al beber como una extensión de su propio ser sobrio. Me gustó la manera en que se modelan los ejemplos a través de escenas, como la del jardín en que confluyen la Ebriedad y la Templanza. Imaginar lo divino y lo mundano y personificarlo me recordó a los ejercicios que hacía Hesíodo en su teogonía.

Esto dicho, la edición de Fontaine que leí es un fracaso en cuanto interviene un texto lírico y no solo lo adapta a la prosa, sino que además lo secciona y lo segmenta a conveniencia para adaptarlo a lo que el lector actual considera un "manual", es decir, una pieza llena de fórmulas e instrucciones; un texto de autoayuda. Qué forma tan aburridora y qué decisión editorial tan torpe para un ensayo.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imbibing in alcohol can have various outcomes, but How to Drink: A Classical Guide to the Art of Imbibing by Vincent Obsopoeus (edited, translated, and introduced by Michael Fontaine) outlines some key considerations when drinking.

To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.

You might think that there's not much behind drinking alcohol, but there can be an art to it, and that's explored in this new translation of the classic text. With this English translation of the poem that strives to be more accessible while reflecting contemporary turns of phrase to share the humor the work contains, reading more in the style of prose than poetry. The text explores the role drinking has in social settings, the vital role of moderation, and the tendencies of bingeing, hazing, and peer pressure that resonate easily, and perhaps eerily, with contemporary readers. The original Latin text and translated English text appear on facing pages, allowing readers to compare the two (but my attention was primarily on the side I could easily read).

Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

[cypher · Rating 3 out of 5]

i felt like this was such a silly one from the series, but, on the other hand, the modern man and woman in London ends up regularly barely coherent on the side of a road in Soho and Camden. i vividly remember, years ago, my shock at seeing drunk women not being able to get up from the sidewalks for the first time in my life, never before moving to London had i seen than, now it's still a regular sight. it used to be a “masculine endeavour”, now the sexes are showing equality…very modern.

some good quotes in book 2, similar to:
“all having changed from human form into monstrous animals after drinking wine”

[Matthew Stienberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art of enjoying the nectar of Bacchus! Genuinely one of the best non-fiction books to start 2023! Light hearted, funny, and translated to help the 21st century reader understand these sober rules for 16th century drinking! Despite what the title might say, moderation is the rule of the day in this delightful book! Take it was a glass of wine (or beer) and use it to actually enjoy drinking. Obsopoeus shows the way, and we must enjoy responsibly!

[Nico Perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

How can you not want to read a book titled "How to Drink?" hahahhahaa. I did not finish because it left the audible plus catalog. I do want to finish it, but I just don't want to buy it because I kind of already knew most of the things it was saying. Some parts were really funny; I don't think they were funny on purpose.

[Bryan Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, fun, easy read about getting sloshed.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining read, with much advice that is equally relevant today. I did however wince at the intermittent Americanisms in the translation.

[Neel Soman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very... unique translation if I've ever seen one.

[E.R. Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun quick read. Full of funny anecdotes and classical Greek and Roman poetry. I’m not sure if I really learned anything I didn’t know already about drinking, but it was a fun read.

[Graciela Arlette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Algo pasado de tiempo pero divertido y con útiles consejos sobre el arte de beber y disfrutar del alcohol sin comprometernos o acarrearnos problemas innecesarios.

[Andreu Escrivà · Rating 4 out of 5]

M'encanten estos llibres. Fascinant i actual.

[Mafeer Trujano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divertido, interesante y siguiéndolo al pie de la letra

[Michael Barros · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts out cool enough, practical advice like, “drink at home” and “drink with your wife” and “don’t start fights.”

So I’m sitting here like, “okay, right on.”

And, you know, whatever, I’ve been drinking - sue me. What do you do when you’re reading drinking books?

Then this guy just starts hammering people who get drunk out of left field. I mean I’m over here like, “where is this coming from, man?”

But he just doesn’t stop.

Just blow after blow and I’m over here like Apollo at the beginning of Rocky IV just waiting for the towel to get thrown, but it never does. Drago just keeps wailing on me and then I hit the canvas and Rocky speaks at my funeral like he isn’t indirectly the one who got me killed. Then, to add insult to injury, he steals my trainer and beats Drago up IN RUSSIA just to prove what everyone already knew: Apollo was washed up. And everyone’s sitting there thinking, “is this about the Cold War? Is that really the message?” Meanwhile, I’m 6 feet underground just like everyone who gets involved with that guy. Seriously, think about it - Mick dies in III and whatever, he's old. Apollo in IV, okay, freak accident. By VI, he's outlived Adrian and is like making out with that one girl he called a whore when she was 12. By the Creed movies, even Paulie is dead & the name "Robert" is never spoken again. Where's his son?

I mean, I like the franchise, don't get me wrong, but the guy's no hero. So, that's that.

Back to the main story.

Anyway: long story short: don’t drink very much when you read this because the author's a bully.

[Jorge Zanabria · Rating 4 out of 5]

En el siglo XV los alemanos bebían más de 120 litros por año y ese consumo iba incrementándose. En ese ambiente vivía el poeta renacentista Obsopoeo y decidió publicar este libro.

Según él el secreto de la sobriedad duradera no era la abstinencia sino la moderación y algún exceso de vez en cuando era aceptable.

Este manual se basa en el consumo del vino y esta primera traducción se hizo con una prosa actualizada.

En este manual se nos enseña el correcto consumo de alcohol, cómo ganar amigos en reuniones sociales, cómo identificar a un borracho y cómo evitarlo, también se nos enseñan trucos para evitar la resaca. Todo esto bajo los rezos a Baco (dios del vino), Ceres (diosa de los cereales y la cerveza) y Como (diosa de la juerga). Este libro se divide en tres libros, en el primero se explica las bases, en el segundo, que es más histórico, se enseña sobre el beber en sí y, en el último, cómo comportarse en diferentes situaciones relacionadas con la bebida.

Es muy entretenido y divertido, pensé que sería tedioso, pero lo leí en dos sentadas. ¡Salud!

[Luke Umar-Khitab · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book initially caught my eye through the humerous title and the way these princeton press editions look on a bookshelf. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. I found the prose gimmicky, the advice dull and overall quite boring to read. I enjoyed his ways of praising Bacchus and calling out people who he feels drink too much, but overall I wouldn't suggest that anyone really needs to read this book. I appreciate the translator trying his best to make the language more suited to a modern audience, I just don't think the source material was that interesting. There were a few laughs throughout this book, and I definitely enjoyed it more when I was reading it accompanied by many drinks. It was just not enough for me to recommend this book, not really worth the money nor time.

[Static · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiene cierto aire cómico y plantea un mensaje muy constructivo