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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Five stars for the content of this book-- minus one for numerous typos
December 28, 2008
By K. Whisler
Format:Hardcover
The overall content of this book is excellent and is beautifully written. Even though one might not agree with the author on every point it is a very enjoyable read. Rather than just write a cocktail recipe book, Embury lays out his theories on the underlying principles of mixing a good drink and divides them into general categories. It is somewhat similar Gary Regan's excellent "Joy of Mixology" in that sense, but is in some ways more readable and is written from the standpoint of a passionate and gifted amateur rather than of a professional bartender, and I think more encouraging of personal experimentation. I already had Regan's book in my collection when I acquired this one, but I don't feel that one is a replacement for the other.
The book is also fun for the historical perspective it offers. Not only are Embury's observations on Prohibition interesting (he lived through it) some of his recommendations on how to do things are informative in comparison to how they are done today. For example, he suggests getting large cocktail glasses--"no less than 3 ounces"! A typical cocktail glass today is over twice that size, though some cocktail enthusiasts now recommend using smaller glasses for classic styles of cocktails.
As good as this book is, shame on the publisher of this edition for allowing it to go to press with so many typos! Some reviewers charitably suggest that the typos also appeared in the earlier editions. I doubt this; they are the sort of typos one gets from OCR and relying on a word processor to clean up the OCR output, and then not doing a final page proof before going to press. (E.g. missing punctuation, "sued" for "used," page references to page XXX.) But even if they were in earlier editions, this is not a facsimile reprint and the errors should have been corrected in this edition. Fortunately, none of the typos are of the sort that prevents the reader from understanding what the author is trying to impart. If the publisher does a second printing of this edition, I hope that the typos will be corrected.
The book is also fun for the historical perspective it offers. Not only are Embury's observations on Prohibition interesting (he lived through it) some of his recommendations on how to do things are informative in comparison to how they are done today. For example, he suggests getting large cocktail glasses--"no less than 3 ounces"! A typical cocktail glass today is over twice that size, though some cocktail enthusiasts now recommend using smaller glasses for classic styles of cocktails.
As good as this book is, shame on the publisher of this edition for allowing it to go to press with so many typos! Some reviewers charitably suggest that the typos also appeared in the earlier editions. I doubt this; they are the sort of typos one gets from OCR and relying on a word processor to clean up the OCR output, and then not doing a final page proof before going to press. (E.g. missing punctuation, "sued" for "used," page references to page XXX.) But even if they were in earlier editions, this is not a facsimile reprint and the errors should have been corrected in this edition. Fortunately, none of the typos are of the sort that prevents the reader from understanding what the author is trying to impart. If the publisher does a second printing of this edition, I hope that the typos will be corrected.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It appears that the editor of the 2008 edition may have been sampling the recipes while on the job. I was shocked by the number of typos, which can make reading the book a rather frustrating endeavor. In some cases, words are replaced by similar-sounding words, and one must backtrack to make sense of things.
(I don't know exactly how books are published these days, but I assume that a computer is involved and that it should be a simple exercise for a competent proofreader to make corrections using some form of text editor prior to publication. Of course, it is entirely possible that these errors were present in previous editions, but there is no reason why they shouldn't be corrected.)
Nonetheless, we should be grateful that this classic is now available as an affordable and otherwise finely executed reprint.
(I don't know exactly how books are published these days, but I assume that a computer is involved and that it should be a simple exercise for a competent proofreader to make corrections using some form of text editor prior to publication. Of course, it is entirely possible that these errors were present in previous editions, but there is no reason why they shouldn't be corrected.)
Nonetheless, we should be grateful that this classic is now available as an affordable and otherwise finely executed reprint.
20 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a certified Master Bartender and (purist), I am honored to recommend Mr. Embury's book, and recommend it indeed on several levels. The details and attitude are all there. This is basic and pure mixology. I have used this book as text to train over forty bartenders, some I'm sure have served you well. I have three copies and will probably buy what more I can find, only to give them away and share in the invaluable knowledge therein.
Read this book, and may you never more suffer an intolorable, insipid cocktail again.
Read this book, and may you never more suffer an intolorable, insipid cocktail again.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing read & excellent resource!!!
I'm fairly new to bartending and I really want to gain a wide knowledge of cocktail construction. This book provides in depth, and insightful information on cocktail basics,... Read more
Published on February 18, 2011 by Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very informative
This was interesting and very informative. Most other cocktail books are simply a litany of cocktail recipes. Embury provide some history and informative anecdotes.
Published on February 4, 2011 by george mathew
1.0 out of 5 stars
Atrocious Proofreading
This reprint of the Art of Mixing Drinks is without a doubt the most poorly proofread book I have ever purchased. Read more
Published on August 29, 2009 by Eugene Z. Dubose
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, informative, and droll
Get this book! Read the other reviews: the only reason this book is getting 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the typos in this edition. Ignore them and get the book. Read more
Published on August 17, 2009 by Tom Mott
4.0 out of 5 stars
Informative book about alcoholic beverages
This book is a must for anybody interested in becoming a better host or bartender, or more informed on alcohol in general. Read more
Published on March 28, 2009 by Natty Mofo
3.0 out of 5 stars
As before: 5 stars content, 3 stars editing
This book is obviously the product of the "spell checker" editing mode. The content is wonderful; but this book apparently never passed under the eyes of a human proofreader. Read more
Published on January 11, 2009 by Carol
5.0 out of 5 stars
Back in print! :)
There are many books around about "bartending" or "cocktails", but Embury's TFAoMD (1948) is the definitive work when it comes to mixing drinks, and it was a delight to see that it... Read more
Published on January 9, 2009 by Gavin J. Chart
3.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book; poor editing
An excellent book; well written and occasionally humorous. It is nice that this book is back in print because all the libraries have had their copies stolen. Read more
Published on December 16, 2008 by M. Shafae
3.0 out of 5 stars
5 stars for content, 3 stars for reprint spell checking
The book is a classic and if you have a serious interest in cocktails you should buy this book right now. Read more
Published on November 25, 2008 by a reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have for those serious about learning to mix drinks
If you just want a book with lots of recipe lists, this isn't your book, though it has plenty of those. Read more
Published on June 19, 2007 by David A. Dempsey
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