The Cocktail: The Influence of Spirits on the American Psyche

by Joseph Lanza

Book Overview

Combining history, recipes, ruminations, and a few nods to the occult, Joseph Lanza exposes the cocktail as a ritual--a religious ceremony that satisfies the modern mind and soul. " This book will... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312134509
• ISBN13: 9780312134501
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.3" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

Great gift -- if you can bear to part with it!

This fun book has it all: histories of popular drinks, recipes, rituals. Written with humor and a unique perspective, Lanza's book explores the cocktail culture and its influence on America. From James Bond to Hugh Hefner, Elizabeth Taylor to the Rat Pack, this book charts how cocktails have influenced everything from politics to popular songs. Learn about Atomic Cocktails, see a Human Cocktail Shaker, and puzzle over Girl Drinks. For drinkers and tee-totalers.

A creative and refreshing take on a classic subject!

Most cocktail books are just recipes with a few dull trivia facts. But Lanza has brilliantly included some poetic and witty anecdotes that are guaranteed to positively impact the drinking experience.