A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage (English) Paperback Book

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Throughout human history, certain drinks have done much more than just quenchthirst. According to the author of "The Victorian Internet," six of them havehad a surprisingly pervasive influence on the course of history, becoming thedefining drink during a pivotal historical period.

FORMATPaperback LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description

New York Times Bestseller * The inspiration for the TV series starring Dan Aykroyd "There aren't many books this entertaining that also provide a cogent crash course in ancient, classical and modern history." --Los Angeles Times Beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and Coca-Cola: In Tom Standage's deft, innovative account of world history, these six beverages turn out to be much more than just ways to quench thirst. They also represent six eras that span the course of civilization--from the adoption of agriculture, to the birth of cities, to the advent of globalization. A History of the World in 6 Glasses tells the story of humanity from the Stone Age to the twenty-first century through each epoch's signature refreshment. As Standage persuasively argues, each drink is in fact a kind of technology, advancing culture and catalyzing the intricate interplay of different societies. After reading this enlightening book, you may never look at your favorite drink in quite the same way again.

Author Biography

Tom Standage is deputy editor of The Economist and author of six history books, including Writing on the Wall, The Victorian Internet, and the New York Times bestseller An Edible History of Humanity. He lives in London.

Review

"Standage's bright idea really is bright: a book that divides world history into beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea and Coca-Cola Ages. His book is loaded with the kind of data that get talked about at the figurative water cooler . . . Incisive, illuminating and swift." --Janet Maslin, New York Times "A zippy narrative . . . [Standage] uses something mundane and everyday to tell vivid and accessible stories about the changing textures of human life." --Steven Shapin, The New Yorker "Tom Standage's highly enjoyable chronicle of six beverages that have shaped human destiny is as refreshing as a cool glass of beer on a hot day and as stimulating as that first cup of coffee in the morning . . . There aren't many books this entertaining that also provide a cogent crash course in ancient, classical and modern history . . . In breezy, but unfailingly intelligent prose . . . the author underpins provocative cultural commentary with solid economic and political information." --Wendy Smith, Los Angeles Times "Spirited arguments-mixed with more than a splash of historical evidence-present a cogent case for how civilization has evolved through millennia of sippage . . . Standage stirs up a fun and engaging romp without spilling a drop." --Wired "A clever, tight retelling of human history . . . Standage's writing flows like water: crisp, clear, and deceptively simple. Foodies and readers fond of quirky cultural histories will enjoy this book." --The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) "An easy and agreeable read, never seeming discursive or unwieldy, despite the vast amount of ground it covers. I'll happily raise my glass to that." --Yiling Chen-Josephson, Newsday "Standage has a talent for compressing and enlivening arcane material . . . A clever way of pulling together many of the main points of world history around the technology and commerce of drink . . . An enjoyable and enlightening book, so drink up!" --The American Scholar "Memorable facts . . . abound in Tom Standage's delightful A History of the World in 6 Glasses." --Jeffrey Tannenbaum, Bloomberg.com "Ingenious . . . Combines a lively writing style with a wonderful collection of anecdotes. [Standage's] book sparkles like champagne." --Montreal Gazette "Standage's historical division works fantastically well. His history of the technology and culture of quenching our thirst is a thought-provoking look at what we drink today and how it offers insight into our past." --Toronto Star "An extraordinary trip through world history. [Standage] has the ability to connect the smallest detail to the big picture and a knack for summarizing vast concepts in a few sentences." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) "History, along with a bit of technology, etymology, chemistry and bibulous entertainment. Bottoms up!" --Kirkus Reviews

Long Description

From beer to Coca-Cola, the six drinks that have helped shape human history Throughout human history, certain drinks have done much more than just quench thirst. As Tom Standage relates with authority and charm, six of them have had a surprisingly pervasive influence on the course of history, becoming the defining drink during a pivotal historical period. "A History of the World in 6 Glasses" tells the story of humanity from the Stone Age to the 21st century through the lens of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola. Beer was first made in the Fertile Crescent and by 3000 B.C.E. was so important to Mesopotamia and Egypt that it was used to pay wages. In ancient Greece wine became the main export of her vast seaborne trade, helping spread Greek culture abroad. Spirits such as brandy and rum fueled the Age of Exploration, fortifying seamen on long voyages and oiling the pernicious slave trade. Although coffee originated in the Arab world, it stoked revolutionary thought in Europe during the Age of Reason, when coffeehouses became centers of intellectual exchange. And hundreds of years after the Chinese began drinking tea, it became especially popular in Britain, with far-reaching effects on British foreign policy. Finally, though carbonated drinks were invented in 18th-century Europe they became a 20th-century phenomenon, and Coca-Cola in particular is the leading symbol of globalization. For Tom Standage, each drink is a kind of technology, a catalyst for advancing culture by which he demonstrates the intricate interplay of different civilizations. You may never look at your favorite drink the same way again.

Review Quote

"Standage's bright idea really is bright: a book that divides world history into beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea and Coca-Cola Ages. His book is loaded with the kind of data that get talked about at the figurative water cooler . . . Incisive, illuminating and swift." - Janet Maslin, New York Times "A zippy narrative . . . [Standage] uses something mundane and everyday to tell vivid and accessible stories about the changing textures of human life." - Steven Shapin, The New Yorker "Tom Standage's highly enjoyable chronicle of six beverages that have shaped human destiny is as refreshing as a cool glass of beer on a hot day and as stimulating as that first cup of coffee in the morning . . . There aren't many books this entertaining that also provide a cogent crash course in ancient, classical and modern history . . . In breezy, but unfailingly intelligent prose . . . the author underpins provocative cultural commentary with solid economic and political information." - Wendy Smith, Los Angeles Times "Spirited arguments--mixed with more than a splash of historical evidence--present a cogent case for how civilization has evolved through millennia of sippage . . . Standage stirs up a fun and engaging romp without spilling a drop." - Wired "A clever, tight retelling of human history . . . Standage's writing flows like water: crisp, clear, and deceptively simple. Foodies and readers fond of quirky cultural histories will enjoy this book." - The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) "An easy and agreeable read, never seeming discursive or unwieldy, despite the vast amount of ground it covers. I'll happily raise my glass to that." - Yiling Chen-Josephson, Newsday "Standage has a talent for compressing and enlivening arcane material . . . A clever way of pulling together many of the main points of world history around the technology and commerce of drink . . . An enjoyable and enlightening book, so drink up!" - The American Scholar "Memorable facts . . . abound in Tom Standage's delightful A History of the World in 6 Glasses ." - Jeffrey Tannenbaum, Bloomberg.com "Ingenious . . . Combines a lively writing style with a wonderful collection of anecdotes. [Standage's] book sparkles like champagne." - Montreal Gazette "Standage's historical division works fantastically well. His history of the technology and culture of quenching our thirst is a thought-provoking look at what we drink today and how it offers insight into our past." - Toronto Star "An extraordinary trip through world history. [Standage] has the ability to connect the smallest detail to the big picture and a knack for summarizing vast concepts in a few sentences." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) "History, along with a bit of technology, etymology, chemistry and bibulous entertainment. Bottoms up!" - Kirkus Reviews

Details ISBN0802715524 Author Tom Standage Short Title HIST OF THE WORLD IN 6 GLA Publisher Walker & Company Language English ISBN-10 0802715524 ISBN-13 9780802715524 Media Book Format Paperback DEWEY 394.12 Year 2006 Residence Greenwich London, ENK DOI 10.1604/9780802715524 Imprint Walker & Company Country of Publication United States AU Release Date 2006-04-01 NZ Release Date 2006-04-01 US Release Date 2006-04-01 UK Release Date 2006-04-01 Pages 336 Edition Description Annotated edition Publication Date 2006-04-01 Illustrations Illustrations, unspecified Audience General We've got this

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