Tom Standage, Sean Runnette: A History of the World in 6 Glasses (2011, Tantor Audio)
audio cd
Published March 25, 2011 by Tantor Audio.
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 during pivotal epochs -- from humankind's adoption of agriculture and the birth of cities to the advent of globalization. A history of the World in 6 Glasses presents an original, well-documented vision of world history, telling the story of humanity from the Stone Age to the twenty-first century through the lens of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola. For Standage, each drink is a kind of technology, a catalyst for advancing culture by which he demonstrates the intricate interplay of different civilizations. After reading his clever and enlightening book, you may never look at your favorite drink in quite the same way again. - Back cover.
Beer, wine, distilled spirits, coffee, tea, coca cola: 6 drinks that have changed human history. This was a fascinating book with lots of information I never knew. Who knew that the demand for tea is what built up the illegal opium trade? Lots of interesting history here, and I enjoyed this audio book very much.
Mostly enjoyable, filled with interesting factoids. Perhaps a bit dry. And with a lot of history left out for lack of room. And with some alcoholic and caffeinated drinks left out, because they weren't important at the time and place that he was interested in.
He focused on the superpower of the world in whichever period of history, and how their drink of choice influenced them. For most of history, drink provided a means of rendering water safe to drink. Only in the past century, the "American" century, has water truly become safe. And our contribution turns out to have been completely non-nutritious soda pop.
