{"product_id":"op-the-american-drink-book","title":"OP: The American Drink Book","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFarrar, Straus \u0026amp; Young, New York, 1953. Hardcover. Very Good. First printing.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe political trajectory of what is now the United States has had a parallel relationship with its history of imbibing. \u003cem\u003eEsquire\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eReader’s Digest\u003c\/em\u003e editor S. S. Field includes a lively retelling of that story in his 1953 \u003cem\u003eThe American Drink Book\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccess to Caribbean rum throughout the colonial period made that spirit the preferred libation pre-Revolution. During the westward expansion of the late-18th and early-19th centuries into territories where grain could grow easily and plentifully on huge swaths of land, bourbon and whiskey became the obvious spirits of choice. Then, eventually, we became a nation that produced its own wine—a subject to which Field dedicates about a quarter of the book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBesides the history lesson, Field also includes light-hearted drinking notes, how-tos, instructions for making the “100 greatest American drinks,” and beverage pairings and recipes for an elaborate Thanksgiving meal. While it is certainly not a thorough history, the tone is chatty and jovial, lending itself more to spirited conversation than to collegiate lectures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs is a Very Good copy in a price-clipped and somewhat worn and chipped jacket. Stated \u003cstrong\u003efirst printing\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KNOP","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41758633689221,"sku":"S. S. Field","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0297\/5046\/0549\/files\/field_americandrinkbook.jpg?v=1783707877","url":"https:\/\/www.kitchenartsandletters.com\/products\/op-the-american-drink-book","provider":"Kitchen Arts \u0026 Letters","version":"1.0","type":"link"}