The Cocktail: The Influence of Spirits on the American Psyche

Rating:
Summary: A quick read but that's about what it is worth
Review: Somehow I expected more. Why? I don't know but it seemed the cocktail might present someone which a very interesting and diverse subject on which to write. Don't get me wrong there are some interesting things here both of an observation nature and some interesting historical facts but it just didn't keep my attention. The author has covered pretty much what I expected but not in a very interesting and enjoyable way. On the good side, it's not expensive.

Rating:
Summary: A quick read but that's about what it is worth
Review: Somehow I expected more. Why? I don't know but it seemed the cocktail might present someone which a very interesting and diverse subject on which to write. Don't get me wrong there are some interesting things here both of an observation nature and some interesting historical facts but it just didn't keep my attention. The author has covered pretty much what I expected but not in a very interesting and enjoyable way. On the good side, it's not expensive.

Rating:
Summary: Great gift -- if you can bear to part with it!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Great gift -- if you can bear to part with it!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Great subway reading
Review: While this book is interesting to read, written in a prose style that keeps one reading, and flows logically through a wonderful historical framework, I felt at the end of every chapter that the author should have done a more thorough job. He should have developed his theses more, provided more depth to his topics, and offered information that is less general and more useful. This is an excellent introduction to the history of cocktails and drinking in the United States, but as a useful research tool, "The Cocktail" is of little value. But, as a strong point, I doubt that there are historical errors in the book - Lanza did do some research, that much is certain. But I still have the inclination that Lanza wanted to get another book in print without having to strain too hard writing it. I give this book two stars under the assumption that two stars means "okay reading for the subway", and one star ratings are solely for romance novels.