Annotations:
"Patrick McGovern has written his masterpiece. He takes us on an engrossing, multifaceted journey through the complex relationships between human cultures and alcoholic beverages of all kinds. In doing so, he develops a new context for human history. This is an authoritative, groundbreaking history based on cutting edge science and keen perceptions that will appeal to archaeologists, historians, and foodies alike."--Brian Fagan, author of "The Great Warming "and "Fish on Friday"

Publisher's Remarks:
In a lively tour around the world and through the millennia, "Uncorking the Past "tells the compelling story of humanity's ingenious, intoxicating quest for the perfect drink. Following a tantalizing trail of archaeological, chemical, artistic, and textual clues, Patrick E. McGovern, the leading authority on ancient alcoholic beverages, brings us up to date on what we now know about how humans created and enjoyed fermented beverages across cultures. Along the way, he explores a provocative hypothesis about the integral role such libations have played in human evolution. We discover, for example, that the cereal staples of the modern world were probably domesticated for their potential in making quantities of alcoholic beverages. These include the delectable rice wines of China and Japan, the corn beers of the Americas, and the millet and sorghum drinks of Africa. Humans also learned how to make mead from honey and wine from exotic fruits of all kinds-even from the sweet pulp of the cacao (chocolate) fruit in the New World. The perfect drink, it turns out-whether it be mind-altering, medicinal, a religious symbol, a social lubricant, or artistic inspiration-has not only been a profound force in history, but may be fundamental to the human condition itself.

Product Detail:

Author: Mcgovern, Patrick E.

Publisher: Univ Of California Pr, 10/1/2009

Content Language: English

Book,

Hardcover: 348 pages

Weight: 1.38 lbs.

Dimensions: L: 9.26 in. x W: 6.06 in. x H: 1.07 in.