The Prohibition Hangover: Alcohol in America from Demon Rum to Cult Cabernet

by Garrett Peck

Overview

Society is constantly evolving, and so are our drinking habits. The Prohibition Hangover examines the modern American temperament toward drink amid the $189-billion- dollar-a-year industry that defines itself by the production, distribution, marketing, and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Based on primary research, including hundreds of interviews with those on all sidesùclergy, bar and restaurant owners, public health advocates, citizen crusaders, industry representatives, and moreùas well as secondary sources, Garrett Peck provides a panoramic assessment of alcohol in American culture and history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813548494
Publisher:	Rutgers University Press
Publication date:	08/03/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
File size:	679 KB

About the Author

GARRETT PECK is a freelance journalist who has written mostly within the alcohol industry trade circles. Based in Washington, D.C., he also regularly conducts tours of historic sites that hold a significant place in the temperance movement in and around the district.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Noble Experiment
Chapter 2: So What Are We Drinking?
Chapter 3: Whiskey and Rye
Chapter 4: Ninetynine Bottles of Beer
Chapter 5: The Golden Age of Wine
Chapter 6: The Supreme Court Decides
Chapter 7: Alcohol and Your Health
Chapter 8: What Would Jesus Drink?
Chapter 9: Beating the Temperance Drum
Chapter 10: Not until You're Twentyone
Conclusions
Sources
Index

Editorial Reviews

"The Prohibition Hangover is an excellent book in every way: it is well researched, thoughtful, and entertaining to read. From discussions of policies since Prohibition to Americans' tastes for drinks throughout the decades, this book will appeal to anyone interested in alcohol."

Trinity College and author of No Booze? You May Lose - Edward Stringham

"Garrett Peck effectively captures the essence of America's love/hate relationship with alcohol beverages. While some of his conclusions are controversial, his book is well-written and comprehensive."

industry executive - Dan Tearno

"Garrett Peck provides a clear, concise, and stimulating overview about alcohol use and alcohol policy in the United States since Repeal in 1933. The book deftly combines careful research, excellent story-telling, and strong opinions about strong drink."

University of Washington and author of The Alcoholic Republic - William Rorabaugh

"A well-written study of the contemporary liquor industry."

The Historian

"The adage that 'history repeats itself' has special meaning when applied to Americans' experience with alcohol. At various times in our past, Americans have tried Prohibition, and each time learned, or re-learned, the hard lesson that it doesn't work. Yes, fewer people drink during periods of Prohibition; what ought we to expect, after all? But those choosing to drink, and there are many, drink more irresponsibly and are forced by the law into dangerous, clandestine environments, where health and even life are put at greater risk. For young adults age 18-20 today, a culture of Prohibition has produced these same, utterly predictable results. Kudos to Garrett Peck for advancing this unpleasant yet unassailable truth, and doing so with a convincing combination of fact and style. Impeccably researched and written in a most engaging style, The Prohibition Hangover, brings us face-to-face with those who would have us continue down their own preferred paths of righteousness, and shows us how, far too often, those paths traverse the valley of the shadow of death."

President Emeritus, Middlebury College - John M. McCardell

"For journalist Peck, Prohibition is like a bad hangover from which the US has never fully recovered, and he proves that the alcohol controversy has never gone away. The author provides an excellent overview of alcohol in the US since the Prohibition Era. He closely examines the development of the wine, beer, and distilled spirits trades, including the rise of wine and whiskey tourism and controversies regarding alcohol advertising. Peck examines the social implications of efforts to combat alcohol, especially the effects of the Mothers against Drunk Driving campaigns. He concludes that there should be more
emphasis on teaching young people about responsible drinking; though it will be controversial, he makes a convincing case to lower the national drinking age to 18. Highly recommended."

Choice

"The Prohibition Hangover is an excellent book in every way: it is well researched, thoughtful, and entertaining to read. From discussions of policies since Prohibition to Americans' tastes for drinks throughout the decades, this book will appeal to anyone interested in alcohol."

— Edward Stringham

Trinity College and author of No Booze? You May Lose

"The Prohibition Hangover is an excellent book in every way: it is well researched, thoughtful, and entertaining to read. From discussions of policies since Prohibition to Americans' tastes for drinks throughout the decades, this book will appeal to anyone interested in alcohol."

— Edward Stringham

Trinity College

"Garrett Peck provides a clear, concise, and stimulating overview about alcohol use and alcohol policy in the United States since Repeal in 1933. The book deftly combines careful research, excellent story-telling, and strong opinions about strong drink."

— William Rorabaugh

University of Washington