In this groundbreaking book, Tom Standage sets out to answer a deceptively simple question: why do we drink different drinks at different times? He explores the history of six beverages-beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea and Coca-Cola-to show how each became popular in its own time and place. A History of the World in 6 Glasses is full of surprising stories and fascinating insights about our drinking habits past and present. For example: • The British Empire was built on beer money: during the Industrial Revolution, heavy taxes on alcohol sales kept Potere Britannico afloat • Coffee saved Venice from ruin by boosting productivity among businessmenProcessed foods helped turn Coke into an American icon From beer-swilling Vikings to the Starbucks-drinking yuppies of today,.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for history buffs, People who are interested in the social effects of drinks and beverage, And people who want to know more about how different drinks have become popularized.
Pros :
- Author Tom Standage is a journalist and editor for the Economist
- This book is based on comprehensive research
- The writing style is engaging
Cons :
- The author’s writing style is dry and uninviting
- The book jumps around a lot, making it difficult to follow
- There is little analysis or point of view presented; instead, the author simply tells factual stories
Learn more about the author
Tom Standage is the author of A History of the World in 6 Glasses, An Edible History of Humanity, and The Victorian Internet. He has written for The Economist since 1998, where he is Technology Editor.
Reader Reviews
“I loved this book! It is both informative and entertaining. I never knew that so much history could be packed into a single volume about drinks.”
“This book is a great read. I never knew so much about the history of drinks and how they have played such an important role in society.”
“An enlightening and entertaining read on the social impacts of various drinks throughout history.”
“The author brings to light some very interesting historical tidbits about the six drinks he covers in his book. I like the way he weaves together cultural and political history with the story of each drink’s popularity.”
