Customer Reviews

Absinthe, Sip of Seduction: A Contemporary Guide

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If you are asking yourself, what is absinthe? Why are people talking about it? What makes it so special? Can I try some? What brands should I chose? This is the book for you. Other books on the subject delve further into the history; but Sip of Seduction gives you the full picture of what absinthe is all about, yesterday and today. Looking through the wonderful collection of original poster art and photographs, you get the sense that in its heyday, the absinthe scene was stylish and intense; and this book reflects that in the beauty of its production. But you'll also see that a new scene, perhaps less stylish but equally cool is beginning to take root, mostly in Europe but increasingly in the US as well. While I use the book to try different brands and learn about antique absinthe stuff I can buy, usually I just lose myself in the images. I can't recommend it enough.

I disagree with the previous reviewers' statement of `if you already have Conrad(`s book "Absinthe - History in a Bottle") there's no reason to buy Wittels's book as well.' On the contrary, anyone seriously interested in not only the history of absinthe, but also it's modern use and cultural impact, should own both.

While `Sip of Seduction' may not be as erudite as Conrad's work, I would venture to guess that such wasn't Wittel's aim.

`Sip of Seduction,' while serving as an engaging introduction to the fairy, provides information (i.e., culinary delicacies to accompany the ritual, reviews of currently available absinthes, lists of modern suppliers) that other publications on the subject do not. Add to that the myriad engaging reprints of classic absinthe advertisements, related paintings, photography of absinthiana (spoons, fountains, bonques) modern absinthes (and reviews), as well as an enthusiastic and breezy writing style, and you have a book that is a welcome addition to any absintheur's library.

Beautifully designed, this introduction & overview of absynthe is definitely worth a look. Very educational - has addresses of absynthe bars worldwide, pictures of paraphernalia, brand information. Lovely artwork adorns most pages & the information prompts one to delve more into the green fairy's history. Loved it.

This book has a great deal to offer to any sort of reader who has an interest in Absinthe, either as a drink or a cultural phenomenon.

In addition to my own copy, I have purchased several more as gifts and mine is wearing away from friends and relatives borrowing it.

Essentially this is a beginner's guide by an author who substitutes enthusiasm and a gushing prose style for any real erudition. It's rescued from unreadability by the expert editing of Mr Breaux, one of the few real experts in the field. But there's nothing new here, and the book reads like the kind of frothy puff piece you'd read in an airline in flight magazine. New readers would be well advised to purchase instead Barnaby Conrad's book "Absinthe - History in a Bottle", also available from Amazon. Conrad is a masterful writer, who's consulted widely and read all the primary sources. His book is unequalled in English, and superbly produced and illustrated as well. If you already have Conrad, there's no reason to buy Wittels's book as well.

I could not put this book down from the moment I opened it! The design of the book allows the reader to get a wealth of information and visual stimulation to gingerly browse or read word for word front to back. A table book that every absinthe partaker or seeker should own. While it is not meant to be a comprehensive guide, it certainly provides more than basic knowledge and provides aroused readers with many resources to continue their quest if the spirit moves them. Not meant to be a history book but rather a book about the passionate resurgence of absinthe in the modern world. The quality of production make this an exquisite gift for someone who truely appreciates and searches for passion in life.

This book is truly a delight to own for both the modern day absinthe connoisseur or those merely interested in late 17th-18th century styles and trends. "Absinthe: Sip of Seduction" by Betina J. Wittels was edited by leading American Absinthe scholar, T.A. Breaux.

One of the greatest aspects about this book is the fact that it has a number of beautiful pictures concerning Absinthe. From early pictures and posters to modern day Absinthe shots, this book has it all. Most impressive are full or near-full page shots of 18th century Absinthe posters and paintings, many of which are designed by some of the most famous names in history.

Perhaps second to the art and yet of great value to those interested in Absinthe is how the book discusses both the history of the drink as well as how it is now. While the mysterious drink's history is perhaps better detailed in Barnaby Conrad III's "Absinthe: History in a Bottle," Wittels offers the drinks history in a compact, reader friendly fashion that's both full of information as well as a pleasure to read.

Unlike historical works (such as "History in a Bottle"), "Sip of Seduction" manages to cut through a lot of bland history and present us with information regarding modern day absinthe drinkers. From a decent listing of some of the more famous brands of Absinthe to places in Europe the reader can find Absinthe collectibles and actually buy Absinthe legally across the globe, Wittels does well to call her book a "contemporary guide." Whether or not you plan on using the contemporary information found within the text to find a bar in Europe or simply want it as a reference, the information found within is well worth the read.

There are two aspects of the book which are slightly disappointing. Absinthe enthusiasts would have liked a lot more coverage of the blown out of proportion chemical compound known as Thujone (a compound which was rumored to cause madness mainly to further the goals of the Prohibition). This book very quickly covers the topic in a small section entitled, "Thujone, Madness or Myth?" in which it concludes, based on a 1960s study, that one would need to consume quite a bit of Absinthe (far more than is humanly tolerable given the high alcohol content typically found in most Absinthes) in order to feel any ill side effects of Thujone, should any exist.

This topic of Thujone is discussed more properly online via Absinthe forums, websites, and retailer websites. However this topic is also mentioned quite nicely in "Absinthe: A Myth Always Green" by Benoit Noel - this last reference is terrific, highly recommended, contains a lot information that "Sip of Seduction" should have had as well as more contemporary nods to Absinthe (Amazon France, Amazon.fr, has the book to buy). The sections of importance regarding Thujone in "A Myth Always Green" are, "T.A. Breaux: Interview with a Chemist" and Ian Hutton's piece on "Absinthe - Separating Myth from Reality" which can be found online.

The other aspect of "Sip of Seduction" which was slightly important was that it tried too hard to provide an unbiased listing of different brands of modern Absinthe. Much better lists with reviews exist online and yet it would have been kinder to quality Absinthe producers to include a few reviews for each of the mentioned products (after all, there are brands of modern Absinthe almost all connoisseurs would agree are horrible). "A Myth Always Green" tackles this by expanding the list considerably.

Despite some obvious shortcomings, "Absinthe: Sip of Seduction" is a must own for anyone remotely interested in the subject! Despite having a very soft cover my copy has lasted through quite a bit, the construction as well is simply quite beautiful. A must buy!

A book that can be opened at any page and immediately appreciated is one that is most likely to be read over and over again. Absinthe Sip of Seduction is such a book.

Like a finely crafted Suisse Bleue louched in a crystal swirling glass, this book can be sipped and savored alone or among friends.

For the "uninitiated", there's enough eye candy to draw their attention to this virtually censored chapter of the Belle Epoche age. Everybody I know has heard of Prohibition, but pretty much nobody in my circle ever heard of Absinthe (which was banned in the USA several years before Prohibition). More than one of the people to whom I've shown this book has immediately started Googling for European purveyors of this mystical elixir.

For those already familiar with the Green Fairy, prepare to be transported back to another world through beautiful photographs and recollections of the history and personalities of an era seemingly ancient to our modern imaginations, but that was yet less than 100 years ago. Make sure you have a bottle of your favorite brand poured and louched before delving in.

Having first flown on the wings of la Fee Verte only recently, the only knowledge I had about its lineage was what I was able to piece together on the Internet. Of course, much of what I read concerned the virtues of the various brands purveyed by the sites I visited, but I did find a lot of information about its history and allure in various places. So by the time I first spotted this book on the shelf I had some context and was immediately drawn to browse it.

When I opened it up to a random page I was immediately captivated. Betina Wittels has succeeded in creating in me the same feeling I had when I had my first sip. It was a sense of revelation! In accordance with the title I was immediately seduced. I suddenly discovered I was a compadre of Hemingway, Picasso and Oscar Wilde. I saw a whole category of art devoted to the elixir, and a wealth of paraphernalia I had never imagined.

This book is both informative and concise, perfect for the modern reader. One is not bored with erudition, however the eclectic array of information attests to the author's authoritative stature.

I don't believe anybody has ever considered building a cult around whiskey or gin. But Absinthe definitely has all the trappings of a cult: a sense of the mysterious, a sense of belonging to an elite group, there is the ceremony and the symbols of fire and water used with the sugar and spoon.

I would heartily recommend this book to all those who seek initiation into the Cult of the Green Fairy. For those already under her auspices, it's great to keep on the coffee table for the purpose of evangelizing and making converts.

Exactly the type of book i am looking for when i am researching. The book includes many photos of posters, as well as, antique absinthe serviceware. More importantly, the absinthe that she thinks is worthy and notes on its home country. I read it cover to cover in 1 sitting!

This book was very informative, while also being an interesting read. Good beginners book on absinthe. Definitely recomend this for those new to the world of absinthe.