A Short History of Drunkenness

Reviews

My favourite book of this and possibly any other Christmas is Mark Forsyth's A Short History of Drunkenness Forsyth's jokes are snappy and well delivered. Unlike most comical writers he never falls into the trap of confusing long-windedness with irony Haha! . . . Highly suitable for Xmas! This entertaining study of drunkenness makes for a racy sprint through human history A brisk and brilliant romp through our hiccoughing history, drenched with wit. Bloody marvellous from first sip to last burp Reading like a TED talk delivered by a stand-up comedian, this made me laugh out loud more than my first ever night out on absinthe. As essential as a hip flask or a pack of pork scratchings for any true connoisseur of booze. A Short History of Drunkenness is this year's Châteauneuf-du-Pape of Christmas books, no less. Bloody entertaining. Sometimes you see a book title that simply gladdens the heart. Everyone I showed this book to either smiled broadly or laughed out loud . . . This is a book of some brilliance - probably best consumed with a restorative glass of something by your side. As Mark Forsyth brilliantly shows, civilisation is built on booze. Egypt (beer), Greece and Rome (wine) depended on alcohol to create their mighty works. Where man drinks, he prospers, and vice versa. A toast to this spirits-fuelled spirits-lifter. Staggering! I thought I knew quite a bit about drinking but A Short History of Drunkenness made me look at inebriation anew. Each chapter amazed, challenged and stimulated me so much that I needed a stiff drink at the end of it. With a great eye for a story and a counterintuitive argument, Mark Forsyth has enormous fun breezing through 10,000 years of alcoholic history in a little more than 250 pages. Well researched and recounted with excellent humour, Forsyth's alcohol-ridden tale is sure to reduce anyone to a stupor of amazement. This charming book proved so engrossing that while reading it I accidentally drank two bottles of wine without realising. Everything we ever thought about Christmas is wrong! Great stuff Mark Forsyth wears his considerable knowledge lightly. He also writes beautifully This year's must-have stocking filler ... the essential addition to the library in the smallest room is Mark Forsyth's The Etymologicon Mark imparts knowledge about Christmas traditions from the essential to the (very) abstruse in wry and sardonic style. An effortless and enjoyable way to learn more about this fulcrum of our calendar With his casual elegance and melodious voice, Mark Forsyth has an anachronistic charm totally at odds with the 21st century [The Etymologicon is] a perfect bit of stocking filler for the bookish member of the family, or just a cracking all-year-round-read. Highly recommended A treat for the connoisseur who enjoys a robust anecdote from the past with his drink As good as promised - could have been thrice as long Witty and revelatory. Blooming brilliant Expand reviews