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A History of the World in 6 Glasses
A History of the World in 6 Glasses | Tom Standage
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.
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julesG
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#Two4Tuesday @TheSpineView

#TuesdayGiveaway

Thank you for the tag and your generosity!

The following book is on my wishlist - which currently contains either non-fiction or books that haven't been published yet: A History of the World in Six Glasses

TheSpineView Good luck 🤞 6mo
33 likes1 comment
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Vivlio_Gnosi
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a fun little history book that looks at the account of modern man from a different perspective. It's heavy enough to have satisfying substance yet light enough to not bore you with details.

#nonfiction #history #bestseller

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Vivlio_Gnosi
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The benefits of industrial competition.

#nonfiction #history

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Sharpeipup
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So excited to see this come to the screen! Such a great read and this should be a fun adaptation.

#page2screen

https://deadline.com/2023/02/a-history-of-the-world-in-six-glasses-dan-aykroyd-f...

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BC_Dittemore
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Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Conceptually, it‘s very interesting — filtering history through the lens of popular beverages. I learned a lot about agriculture and the way different cultures approached or reproached these drinks. Plus I am walking away with a good amount of trivia to throw into random conversation. 😁

I listened to this on Audible. Sean Runnette‘s narration often sounded robotic, but overall he did a fine job.

9 likes1 stack add
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bookandbedandtea
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Pickpick

This was a really interesting way to look at history- through the lens of why and how various beverages became popular and how they impacted the world.

25 likes1 stack add
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bookandbedandtea
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#audiopacking and listening to this. I'm worn out this evening but at least the book is interesting.

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BoldCityBooks
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Trying to finish this for our book club. Unfortunately I‘m not enjoying it. Dry writing, poor flow, and just boring.

14 likes1 stack add
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BoldCityBooks
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This is our November Book Club selection and I‘m just getting started. I‘m intrigued by this book. I feel like it‘s either going to be genius if fail miserably. Let‘s go! #bookclub

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britt_brooke
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️ A brief history of how six beverages - beer, wine, coffee, tea, spirits, soda - have shaped civilization and influenced our current world. I‘ve never put much thought into the origins of any of these libations, though I frequently drink half of them. History and science nerds will likely appreciate this quick, informative read.

julesG I'm sure you're responsible for at least 10% of my TBR adds. 😁 4y
britt_brooke @julesG Yay! 😙😙 4y
110 likes7 stack adds2 comments
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wanderinglynn
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Pickpick

Overall I enjoyed it. Entertaining, accessible, and informative. 4 stars. But I will say the title is misleading. It‘s really more about the history of 6 beverages (beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, cola) and their effect on human history instead of a history of the world told through the lens of 6 beverages. Full review on GR.

This is my #bookspin book for July! 🙌🏻🎉

bookandbedandtea I have this but had forgotten it! Perhaps I'll put it on next month's list. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
wkm306 Every all around drinks from new perspectives - just what I need! 4y
86 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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wanderinglynn
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My July #bookspin BINGO card. I only had 20 books on my list and I doubt I‘ll get through all 20. But maybe I‘ll surprise myself. 😉

I‘ve already started the #bookspin book (tagged) and started listening to History of Bourbon. Some interesting overlap of the two. Then next up will be the #doublespin book, Blackbirds.

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!

Also, side note, were you the person who said they had a monthly puzzle subscription at one point?? My sister is very interested, but now I can't remember who said they had it or what it was called or, you know, anything useful other than that it exists somewhere haha
4y
wanderinglynn @TheAromaofBooks yep! 😀 I have a monthly puzzle subscription from Puzzle Warehouse (https://www.puzzlewarehouse.com/Puzzle-of-the-Month-Club.html). If she has any questions about my experience, have her email me - lynn@wanderinglynn.com 4y
TheAromaofBooks OOoo thank you!! I thought it was you! 😂 4y
82 likes3 comments
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wanderinglynn
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Starting my #bookspin book!

I‘m aiming for a #bookspin bingo, but we‘ll see how it goes.

92 likes3 stack adds
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Sharpeipup
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Doctor prescribed rest for my husband (along with medicine) which means reading in bed & I couldn‘t resist joining him.

Leftcoastzen Reading together is good medicine too! 5y
21 likes1 comment
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Sharpeipup
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Unknowingly, I have 4 drinks at the same time...Coffee, tea, water, and eggnog.

Lreads I always have 2 drinks at the same time: water and either tea or pop. 🥤☕️ 5y
31 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Daria.Adrianna21
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A new take on history, but it still sucks that it's a mandatory read for my AP World History class. Let's hope I can finish it before school starts!
#apworldhistory #summerassignment #historyoftheworldin6glasses #tomstandage

rretzler I don‘t recall my son having mandatory reading for the class 2 years ago! Sounds like an interesting book though. Good luck with the class! Hope you get a 5! 5y
Daria.Adrianna21 Thank you! You're too sweet! @rretzler 5y
31 likes2 comments
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Villo
Pickpick

Good reading. #2011

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BookaholicNatty
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A History of the World in 6 glasses is a non-fiction read. The only non-fiction I tend to read is memoirs and Christian living books but this book right here I actually enjoyed. I haven‘t finished the entire thing but I‘m a good of the way through. A lot of us readers love coffee, tea , and wine so I think you would really enjoy it! 🍷☕️☕️🍾🍺🍹🍸

WanderingBookaneer What did you mark with tabs? Are they color-coded? 7y
BeckyD I started this on my Kindle bit didn't get very far. I'll have to try it again soon. 7y
BookaholicNatty @WanderingBookaneer I had the chapter marked with certain colors and then certain quotes i used in a paper in all other colors. I forgot to take them out lol 7y
WanderingBookaneer It‘s very pleasing. 7y
97 likes6 stack adds4 comments
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Augustdana
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#riotgrams day ten: books and beverage. I am obsessed with pottery and picked up these two beauties earlier this year. Also the book is fun. Also I picked up the other two volumes of paper girls the other day! Yayy

BookaholicNatty Good stack!!!!!!❤️❤️ 7y
22 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Becca.in.a.book
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I can read and eat lunch! I love audiobooks! ❤️

3 likes1 stack add
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MrBook
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#TBRtemptation post 5! 6 drinks have had very influential roles in history. From the Stone Age to now, history's looked at through the lens of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, & cola. Beer and the Fertile Crescent. Wine and Greece's Golden Age. Spirits and the Age of Exploration. Coffee and the Age of Reason. Tea and British imperialism. Cola and commercial globalization. Each drink's a technology catalyzing epochs. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

BookaholicNatty ❤️this book!!! I‘m not a big nonfiction reader so this took me by surprise 7y
71 likes8 stack adds1 comment
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CrowCAH
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#RaiseYourGlass https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XjVNlG5cZyQ #AugustGrrrl @Cinfhen

Raise a toast, or six glasses, and there you will see the bottom of your cup! 😂

Cinfhen Perfect toast ‼️👏🏻🥂 7y
51 likes1 stack add1 comment
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stateofiction
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Panpan

I mean it does what it says it does..... but maybe some humor or evening would benefit..... A+ cover though super classy

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Ajbsimpson
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Pickpick

Love this book!

Sydsavvy I really liked it too but I didn't finish it for some reason. I think I needed to read not listen! 8y
25 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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hike.read.repeat
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Pickpick

Such a fun and interesting read. I want to read it again and drink each drink with the corresponding chapters. 🍻My only complaint is that I listened to the audiobook and didn't like the narrator's voice. Would not recommend. #nonfiction #nonfic #microhistory #beer #wine #coffee #tea #history #anthropology #audiobook #audiobooks

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hike.read.repeat

I'm not even a coffee person but we so need to bring back the idea of "themed" coffee houses. This coffee house you discuss books, that coffee house you discuss politics, etc. People even used to have their mail sent to coffee houses and have office hours in them. ☕️ #coffee #nonfiction #nonfic #microhistory

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hike.read.repeat
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So I recently learned of the term #microhistory. It's my favorite kind of #nonfiction but I never knew there was a name for it. 😸

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LauraBeth
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When you're at the store and are reminded of a Litten 😂

Megabooks Yes!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🥂 8y
Merethebookgal Mmmm, Cheerwine 😋 8y
TobeyTheScavengerMonk My favorite soda! A reason to love the South. 8y
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Melissa_J I have never heard of Cheerwine before. What's it like? 8y
LauraBeth @Melissa_J I don't even know! I had never heard of it before Litsy 🙀 8y
Megabooks @Melissa_J @LauraBeth It's a caffeinated cherry soda! If you like cherry coke or Dr. pepper, you might like Cheerwine. But I don't like either of those, and I love Cheerwine, so 🤷🏻‍♀️. It took me a couple of times to love it, but now I have one most days. 👍🏻 8y
Librarianaut Luv me some Cheerwine! 8y
quietjenn Cheerwine! I love it so. 8y
Hoopiefoot I ❤️ Cheerwine! Did you get some of it?? 8y
Johanna414 Is it a regional thing? I've never heard of it before - but I live in the middle of nowhere Western New York... so we miss out on a lot! 8y
LauraBeth @Hoopiefoot NO - and now I'm mad at myself based on @Booksandcooks description of it! 8y
LauraBeth @Johanna414 I think it's a NC thing but I'm not sure! Im in GA so maybe it's now a southern thing... 8y
LauraBeth @quietjenn and @Librarianaut well now I definitely need to try some! 8y
Hoopiefoot @LauraBeth Next time! It started in NC but can be found throughout the south now. I just had a Cheerwine float on the eastern shore of MD 😎 8y
hgrimes I love Cheerwine! ❤️ I currently live in a Cheerwine desert.... 😭 8y
Hobbinol My spouse was born & raised in NC and loved the stuff! Too me it always tasted like carbonated cough syrup (no offense to its fans). Did anyone try the Cheerwine-cream filled KrispyKremes last year?😬 8y
113 likes17 comments
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bevybibliophile
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An appropriate pairing. Finally pulling this one off the #TBR pile.

3 likes1 stack add
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Caterina
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Alright Littens, I only get 1 more hoopla listen this month and I also lose all access to hoopla after this month, since it's through my college town library. My home library doesn't have any of these. What should my final listen be??

MrBook Oh, wow. They all sound good. Go with 6 Glasses? 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa As long as you have membership in your college town library, you'll probably still be able to use it until your membership expires at the end of their yr, even if you are graduating today. And it'd check with them, because to join a town's library that you don't reside in, it is usually a small fee. I live in the country, no local library, but I joined the library in the next big town over (1/2 away) and it only cost me $15/yr so well worth it. (edited) 8y
bookishkai I really love Boy Meets Boy. 8y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa Also if this is your college library double check with them, most offer free library cards (and online access to resources like this) to alumni. 8y
Caterina @Riveted_Reader_Melissa They specifically set it to expire when I graduate, so I'm out of luck there! I don't know whether I could keep the membership for a fee, but I could ask next time I'm there. I'm about to lose most of my time for reading though, so that would be another decision to make! 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Caterina Darn! Sorry about all of that. Congratulations on graduating though. 8y
Caterina @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Thank you! Technically, since my chronic illness has acted up a lot this year, I'll be finishing classes this summer while also working my summer job, and then getting a diploma in August, but I'll be sort of graduating with my class. 😅 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Caterina Well if you are still taking classes this summer, maybe you can at least get a summer extension. I'd ask. And sorry about that, I've been there myself, and sadly our bodies aren't always as cooperative as we'd like. The best I've found to do is know your limits and work around them as best you can, and don't push them until it completely stops listening to you...but it's a hard thing to learn, balance, and I still struggle with it. 8y
Caterina @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Between my summer job and classes, I'm not sure I'll have spare moments for reading, so it might be better to avoid the increased temptation! I'm a camp counselor, so it's going to be interesting enough trying to squeeze in my schoolwork. 😅 Thank you for your kind words. I learned this year that things like gum surgery and a sudden death can cause my chronic illness to spiral completely out of control. 😓 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Caterina Yes, increased stress and outside pressures are the worst, because they are almost impossible to anticipate or avoid. Good luck, I'm glad you're feeling better.....and sorry I couldn't help you pick just one book. 😉 8y
Caterina @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Thank you!! 😊 8y
38 likes1 stack add11 comments
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Cortg
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Pickpick

I finished! With an hour and a half to spare before book club! I found this to be quite interesting. Nothing I would have picked up to read on my own but lots of intriguing facts.

Cinfhen Way to go, go grab a drink 🥃 8y
Cortg @Cinfhen Ha! We are meeting at a tap house with 100 beers on tap. I can't wait! 8y
Cinfhen Perfect! Cheers to Friday! 8y
21 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Cortg
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Thank goodness for coffee! Ps, I'm really enjoying this book :)

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Cortg
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A little library love to start off the section for spirits!

tpixie Awesome info! I now need to look up ' CE' - I've head of BC & AD But not CE! 8y
Cortg @tpixie Schools also use BCE now instead of BC as do museums. Crazy! 8y
tpixie @Cortg Interesting!! I'm falling behind!! Something new to learn! 8y
17 likes4 comments
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Cortg
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I'm on the wine section

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Cortg
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Taking a break from the Wonder books to attack my book club book for next Friday. Beer, Wine, Spirits, Tea, Coffee, and Cola.

britt_brooke Cute snoozing pup! 💚 8y
27 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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LauraBeth
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Here's to the week, Littens. Cheers wherever you are and whatever life has thrown at you. It'll be okay 😀🍻

saresmoore 🙌😘♥️ Happy Easter! 8y
LauraBeth @saresmoore Happy Easter! I need to go make my coconut cake ❤️😘 I also have not shopped for Easter basket goodies... 8y
KarenUK Cheers! 💕💕💕💕 (edited) 8y
See All 8 Comments
saresmoore @LauraBeth Coconut cake!!! I was trying to think of a good treat to bake. Thank you! (Easter basket goodies will be much cheaper on Monday. 😬) 8y
Mimi28 Happy Easter!! We don't cook much. Just got back from the laundromat I don't feel like going back out for goodies today. I hope Family Dollar is open on Easter!! lol 8y
LaraReads Cheers! 8y
Gina Oh man that looks refreshing 8y
Cortg This book is our May book club book. I haven't started yet, I'm so curious. 8y
158 likes3 stack adds8 comments
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LauraBeth
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Evening pick-me-up: book, coffee, cat snuggles, (and Bitsy lounging at my feet) 😀

Lmstraubie Sounds like a perfect evening 💗 8y
saresmoore Enjoy! ❤️ 8y
christineandbooks Waaahh! My Keurig is broken and I miss it so much! Waiting for the replacement part to be shipped... #firstworldproblems Your evening sounds wonderful.☕📚👌 8y
See All 13 Comments
Megabooks 👍🏻👍🏻📚 8y
CrinolineDream Perfect way to spend the evening! 👍🏼 8y
Laura317 Yay for coffee! 8y
Prairiegirl_reading How I miss coffee in the evening!! ☕️ 8y
drbethandherkindle That sounds amazing, but how do you sleep?? 8y
LauraBeth @christineandbooks oh no! 🙀 I hope you get that part soon! 8y
LauraBeth @Prairiegirl_reading I probably shouldn't be drinking it in the evening - I should probably switch to tea 😊 8y
LauraBeth @drbethandherkindle I'm a weirdo and can drink a pot of coffee and then put my head on a pillow and fall sound asleep 😴😴 8y
Prairiegirl_reading I used to able to have a cup of coffee and put it down beside the bed and fall asleep but not anymore! If it's after 4 pm I'm done for. 🙁 8y
149 likes13 comments
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Fancypants
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#bookriot challenge day 16 is bookmarks and today my bookmark is my glasses 👓 #riotgrams

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Dogearedcopy
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Pickpick

Easily digestible micro-history about 6 beverages that reflected their respective times, and in turn influenced history. There is also an Epilogue about water that brings the whole work full circle. No number dumps, charts, or power language utilized; but well researched and really interesting! A solid 4-Star rating :-)

BookBabe Cool book! And I ❤ glass bottle sodas! 8y
Melkyl The design for the Iconic Coke bottle originated in my hometown, Terre Haute, Indiana. http://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/the-story-of-the-coca-cola-bottle. 8y
Dogearedcopy @Melwilk The book carries two chapters on Coca-Cola; and briefly talks about the distributorship; but not about the shape of the bottle! Very cool! 😎 8y
40 likes3 comments
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Dogearedcopy
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Half-Way Status Update: Light and engaging: This expository NF book covers world history in the broadest sense within the context of 6 beverages. At the 1/2 mark, I've read through beer in Mesopotamia, wine in Ancient Greece & Rome, and rum in the New World... To come are chapters on coffee, tea, and soda. Just noticed that the cover artist used the pictographs for the French word for tea (thé) on the cover! ?

29 likes3 stack adds
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Dogearedcopy
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Pulled this off my TBR stax where it's been since 2012 (PB pubbed in '06!) It's more accessible than I thought it would be (cf 'Proof: The Science of Booze' by Adam Rogers) and, for the casual reader of expository NF, interesting enough! And yes, if I open a brewpub, I'm gonna name it "Bread & Beer!" Also, yes, I'm using one of my 80 gazillion pub coasters as a book mark! ???

ValerieAndBooks We have so many brewpub coasters too! They do work well as bookmarks in a pinch 😉. 8y
BethFishReads Really good, isn't it? 8y
Dogearedcopy @BethFishReads So far, so good! 8y
Little_Reader I've been collecting brewpub coasters on our vacation this week. Deschutes will be added in a few days! 8y
Dogearedcopy @Little_Reader They have both a brewery that you can tour and a brewpub where you can eat & drink! Even in the off-season, the brewpub can have a really long wait to get in, so you may want to go early. It's def worth it! Whatever you do, stay away from McMenamins Old St. Francis School! I gave it three tries, but.. just bad, thin beer 🍺🍻 (edited) 8y
28 likes5 comments
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Beholderess
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Pickpick

Food history is one of my favorite topics, so this book was interesting to me. Especially the chapters on beer and cola (first and last respectively). There is some repetition between this and the other Tom Standage books, though.
#nonfiction #nonfictionbook #microhistory #nonfictionlove #food #foodhistory #justread

7 likes1 stack add
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SpecsyBeast
Pickpick

#NonfictionNovember pick. I'm a big history buff and I like this interesting perspective of looking at the world. Worth the read.

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GoneFishing

Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever. —Aristophanes, Greek comic poet (c. 450-385 BCE)

GoneFishing Had 2 beakers of wine and still haven't come up with anything clever to say 8y
Suet624 🍾🍾 8y
54 likes3 comments