It has been a few years since I published a reading list. As I am behind on my reading and have several books on my list to read, I thought this would be a good time to publish another summer reading list.
Wood, Whiskey and Wine: A History of Barrels. Henry H. Work. Reaktion Books Ltd., London, 2014, 237pp.
I have had this book on my shelf for a couple of years and I think it is about time to read it. Barrels have an important role in the distilling industry and I have read much on the subject, but this book has a complete history of barrels and coopers. It is the first book on my list for that reason. I am looking forward to reading it.
Doctors and Distillers: The Remarkable Medical History of Beer, Wine, Spirits, and Cocktails. Camper English. Penguin Books, New York, 2022. 348pp.
Spirits have always had a role in medicine. This book looks at that history from ancient times through the present. It discusses the role of alcohol in medicine and includes several cocktail recipes. It is a fairly new book that I received for Christmas this year and it is second on my reading list. It looks to be an interesting read.
Smashing the Liquor Machine: A Global History of Prohibition. Mark Lawrence Schrad, Oxford University Press, New York, 2021. 725 pp.
This book was another Christmas gift from this past Christmas. I have read several books on Prohibition in America, but this book looks at prohibition in other countries such as Russia, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, The Austro-Hungarian, Empire, Great Britain, and their colonies, as well as, the United States. It looks to be very educational and informative.
American History Through a Whiskey Glass: How Distilled Spirits, Domestic Cuisine, and Popular Music Helped Shape a Nation. Harris Cooper. Skyhorse Publishing, New York, 2021. 287pp.
I have always said that the history of the distilling industry is the history of the United States. This book looks at the industry from colonial days to modern times, but takes it a step further by looking at the role it played in music and food. It looks to be an interesting read and I am looking forward to reading this book.
I have my reading list for this summer. I will write reviews of these books as I finish reading them. I hope you will find this list interesting and it will inspire you to read more about the history of the distilling industry.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller
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