Alcohol: A Social and Cultural History [Paperback]

Mack Holt (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2006 | ISBN-10: 1845201663 | ISBN-13: 978-1845201661

This book examines our relationship with alcohol and examines how drink has evolved in its functions and uses from the late Middle Ages to the present day in the West. This book discusses a range of issues, including domestic versus recreational use, the history of alcoholism, and the relationship between alcohol and violence, religion, sexuality, and medicine. It looks at how certain forms of alcohol speak about class, gender, and place. Drawing on examples from Europe, North America, and Australia, this book provides a comprehensive history of the role of alcohol over the past five centuries.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'In their exploration of these meanings [of alcohol in a specific place at a specific time], the authors shed light on the power relations underlying shifts in alcohol consumption patterns and the tensions that often arise between groups with conflicting vested interest.'Yoon Hui Kim, Journal of Biosocial Science'A simple, lucid yet interesting volume that is bound to keep you reading ... Overall this is a light-mood, good times, effortless-reading compilation and a lot like a dessert.'Internet Journal of Book Reviews

About the Author

Mack Holt is Professor of History at George Mason University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Berg Publishers (May 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845201663
• ISBN-13: 978-1845201661
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,798,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not authoritative, December 24, 2008

By 

Alice in Dallas (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Alcohol: A Social and Cultural History (Paperback)

Take a close look at the index of chapters in this work before purchasing, because that is all there is to it.

Readers looking for a work on alcohol of the same breadth and scope as Opium: A History should look elsewhere.