Books › A history of the world in 6 glasses
A history of the world in 6 glasses
First published 2005 · 336 pages
A lively, conversational journey through human history that reveals how our favorite beverages shaped the modern world.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like sitting at a pub with a brilliant, endlessly fascinating historian who can connect the dots between a pint of beer and the birth of agriculture. The pace is brisk and engaging, leaping across millennia with a conversational ease that never feels bogged down by academic density. It cultivates a mood of convivial curiosity, inviting you to look at the mundane objects in your kitchen with newfound wonder. The prose is crisp, witty, and packed with the kind of memorable anecdotes you will immediately want to share at your next dinner party. It is a perfect read for the intellectually curious who delight in microhistories, offering a sweeping, interconnected view of human civilization through the bottom of a glass.
- Mood
- curious
- convivial
- intellectually stimulating
- Tone
- engaging
- witty
- informative
- accessible
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the hidden impact of everyday objects · cultural exchange and globalization · human ingenuity · the interconnectedness of civilizations
- The writing
- The prose is clear, conversational, and rich with memorable anecdotes that make sweeping historical eras feel intimate and digestible.
- The arc
- The reader journeys from a sense of curious discovery about ancient rituals to a profound appreciation for the interconnectedness of modern global society.
- Who it's for
- Curious minds and trivia enthusiasts who love seeing grand historical narratives distilled through a clever, everyday lens.
Content notes
- discussions of colonialism
- historical slavery and the transatlantic trade
- alcohol consumption
About the book
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 during pivotal epochs -- from humankind's adoption of agriculture and the birth of cities to the advent of globalization. A history of the World in 6 Glasses presents an original, well-documented vision of world history, telling the story of humanity from the Stone Age to the twenty-first century through the lens of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola. For Standage, each drink is a kind of technology, a catalyst for advancing culture by which he demonstrates the intricate interplay of different civilizations. After reading his clever and enlightening book, you may never look at your favorite drink in quite the same way again. - Back cover.
Description from Open Library.
Books like A history of the world in 6 glasses
See why they match
An edible history of humanityTom StandageA sweeping, accessible journey that transforms the contents of your pantry into a map of human civilization.
The World Atlas of CoffeeJames HoffmannA rich, globally expansive journey that transforms a simple morning ritual into a profound connection with history, geography, and craft.
How we got to nowSteven JohnsonA thrilling intellectual treasure hunt that reveals the invisible threads connecting a glass of clean water to the invention of the microchip.
Sweetness and powerMintz, Sidney W.A sobering, eye-opening exploration of how a single sweet commodity shaped the modern capitalist world and its darkest institutions.
Consider the forkBee WilsonA delightful, inquisitive journey through the kitchen drawer that transforms mundane utensils into artifacts of human ingenuity.
Energy in world historyVaclav SmilA sweeping, deeply pragmatic lens on human history that reveals the hidden physical forces shaping our world.