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Liquid Pleasures: A Social History of Drinks in Modern Britain
Contributor(s): Burnett, Proffessor John (Author), Burnett, John (Author)
ISBN: 0415131812     ISBN-13: 9780415131810
Publisher: Routledge
OUR PRICE:   $152.00  
Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats
Published: July 1999
Qty:
Annotation: From tea ("the cup that cheers") to spirits ("the water of life") to water ("the most useful and necessary part of the creation"), drinking in Britain has always meant much more than satisfying a thirst. "Liquid Pleasures" is an engrossing study of the social history of drinks in Britain from the seventeenth century to the present. It discovers why tea versus coffee became the national beverage, why the use of alcoholic drinks declined in the nineteenth century until recently, and why more than half the population over the age of ten consumes soft drinks daily. A fascinating look at a basic human activity, "Liquid Pleasures" explores the social, economic, political and cultural factors that have influenced it.
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Social Science | Anthropology - Cultural & Social
- History | Europe - Great Britain - General
Dewey: 394.12
LCCN: 98054588
Physical Information: 0.63" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (1.20 lbs) 262 pages
Themes:
- Cultural Region - British Isles
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:

Drinking has always meant much more than satisfying the thirst. Drinking can be a necessity, a comfort, an indulgence or a social activity.
Liquid Pleasures is an engrossing study of the social history of drinks in Britain from the late seventeenth century to the present. From the first cup of tea at breakfast to mid-morning coffee, to an eveining beer and a 'night-cap', John Burnett discusses individual drinks and drinking patterns which have varied not least with personal taste but also with age, gender, region and class. He shows how different ages have viewed the same drink as either demon poison or medicine.
John Burnett traces the history of what has been drunk in Britain from the 'hot beverage revolution' of the late seventeenth century - connecting drinks and related substances such as sugar to empire - right up to the 'cold drinks revolution' of the late twentieth century, examining the factors which have determined these major changes in our dietary habits.