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21st out of 111 books
—
159 voters
And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails
by
Wayne Curtis (Goodreads Author)
One spirit, Ten cocktails, and Four Centuries of American History
"And a Bottle of Rum" tells the raucously entertaining story of America as seen through the bottom of a drinking glass. With a chapter for each of ten cocktails--from the grog sailors drank on the high seas in the 1700s to the mojitos of modern club hoppers--Wayne Curtis reveals that the homely spirit once d...more
"And a Bottle of Rum" tells the raucously entertaining story of America as seen through the bottom of a drinking glass. With a chapter for each of ten cocktails--from the grog sailors drank on the high seas in the 1700s to the mojitos of modern club hoppers--Wayne Curtis reveals that the homely spirit once d...more
Hardcover, 294 pages
Published
July 25th 2006
by Crown
(first published May 2006)
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I am not so much a sucker for history books as I am a sucker for very focused, almsot gimmicky, history books. Andrew Carr's _Drink: A Social History of America_ is a similarly gimmicky history book that I (pun coming) ate and drank up furiously, and Wayne Curtis has provided an equally capturing read with _And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails_.
This book comes from the level perspective of a connoseur of rum, one who enjoys the depth of the drink, which includes the...more
This book comes from the level perspective of a connoseur of rum, one who enjoys the depth of the drink, which includes the...more
Sep 07, 2007
Jesse
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
History Buffs, Rum enthusiasts
Shelves:
non-fiction
This book is excellent, but full review will come later.
An excellent history of America through the lens of rum. I found the early colonial chapters to be the most interesting, though the book has impressive factiods all throughout.
Each chapter is dedicated to a specific rum drink, and the era it exemplifies. I found the guide to rum at the end of the book to be very useful, as well as the formula's for varrious cocktails at the very end of the book. I feel this book has furthered me down a path...more
An excellent history of America through the lens of rum. I found the early colonial chapters to be the most interesting, though the book has impressive factiods all throughout.
Each chapter is dedicated to a specific rum drink, and the era it exemplifies. I found the guide to rum at the end of the book to be very useful, as well as the formula's for varrious cocktails at the very end of the book. I feel this book has furthered me down a path...more
A solid and interesting look at rum and its relationship and importance with the New World. There are a number of highs in the book, specifically the colonial era both in the US and Caribbean and the Prohibition in the US. However, it does lag between about 1800 and Prohibition and then post-prohibition, mainly because the roll of rum in the American conscious and consumption was lukewarm during these times.
Rum is also an interesting choice to study the history of the New World because it's rea...more
Rum is also an interesting choice to study the history of the New World because it's rea...more
This is a great book to read on the plane on your way to somewhere because it is fun to read and is relatively short. I read it on a trip to England. It is a fun history of rum and how this demon drink figures into the history of the new world. There are all sorts of fun historical anecdotes that the author relates as well as drink recipes and actual historical facts. I actually learned quite a bit from this book and laughed quite a bit as well. One of the things that I learned is that the settl...more
Jan 14, 2010
Adam
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Pirates, Rum Enthusiasts, Bartenders, Rum Distillery Tour Guides
When applying for a job at a rum distillery, what better way to prep then reading about the history of the new world as viewed through the bottom of a cocktail glass!
While learning about rum obviously would involve a bit of first hand investigation, Mr. Wayne Curtis, part-time New Orleans resident, was mindful enough to undertake such hard work in order to spare the rest of us the hassle, or hangover, of having to do so!
Following rum from its origins in Barbados (or was it Spain?) through it's N...more
While learning about rum obviously would involve a bit of first hand investigation, Mr. Wayne Curtis, part-time New Orleans resident, was mindful enough to undertake such hard work in order to spare the rest of us the hassle, or hangover, of having to do so!
Following rum from its origins in Barbados (or was it Spain?) through it's N...more
Probably the best book I've read this year, and definitey the most fun. Wind your way through the history of the New World through the prism of various confections. Well-written, witty, one of those books that every few pages reveals the origins of commonplace phrases and cliches. Follow rum from the dregs, to on top of the world, driven underground by puritans, and finally enjoying a modern-day renaissance.
I'm thirsty...
I'm thirsty...
Rum and me go way back. So when a friend of mine recommended this book to me, I didn’t hesitate. The book’s basic thesis: rum comes from the West Indies, but is deeply rooted in American tradition. Rum was the fuel for the slave trade, the American Revolution, and Prohibition. Cocktails come from very specific places, but no one really knows where as everyone claims credit for them.
In fact, I invented the mojito.
The information was interesting, but I couldn’t get past the fact that this book, a...more
In fact, I invented the mojito.
The information was interesting, but I couldn’t get past the fact that this book, a...more
I really enjoyed this book - the writing, the history and the composition are all fantastic and it was fun and interesting. Unfortunately, I spent about a quarter of the book thinking, "Why is he only talking about America?" until I realized that the subtitle of the book is A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails rather than A History of the World in Ten Cocktails. Still, while I would like to see a similar book about the global place of rum (or other drinks), this was interesting enough to...more
Another in a series of books on beverages and alcohol that I read in a group. I wasn't expecting to learn anything about how rum is manufactured, but it fit a theme.
This is a fun romp through the past (almost) four centuries. The author clearly likes the product, but he's got a few of his history facts twisted. But that's okay because the social treatment/acceptance of rum is dominate over the more mundane facts. Curtis embellishes the book with anecdotes of rum. It's fun to know that Blackbeard...more
This is a fun romp through the past (almost) four centuries. The author clearly likes the product, but he's got a few of his history facts twisted. But that's okay because the social treatment/acceptance of rum is dominate over the more mundane facts. Curtis embellishes the book with anecdotes of rum. It's fun to know that Blackbeard...more
From grog and kill-devil to the “Demon Rum” of the temperance movement to tiki bar fads and flavored drink mixes, Curtis makes a great case for rum as a truly American story (if you count the islands where the sugar and molasses originated as American).
It’s a very readable and fascinating story, livened up with tales of violent pirates (such as rum’s own Captain Morgan), disputed and apocryphal tales of where various cocktails originated, the effects of the Molasses Act and Sugar Act on the Amer...more
It’s a very readable and fascinating story, livened up with tales of violent pirates (such as rum’s own Captain Morgan), disputed and apocryphal tales of where various cocktails originated, the effects of the Molasses Act and Sugar Act on the Amer...more
This book caught my eye while looking for something to take on a long plane ride. As a non-fiction lover, I'm always interested in books that can tie together disparate elements for a greater understanding. And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails by Wayne Curtis is quite successful in tying together the history of rum with the development of the New World.
By exploring the development, rise, fall, and steady rise again of the rum spirit, Curtis is able to deftly tell the...more
By exploring the development, rise, fall, and steady rise again of the rum spirit, Curtis is able to deftly tell the...more
I recently heard Ken Burns describe the traditional approach to studying history as being "a list of presidents, punctuated by wars."
This book breaks from that, and uses instead the history of rum as a framing device to talk about the history of the English-speaking new world.
While the tale of rum is certainly interesting just in a food / drink context, the real strength of this book is in how it is able to give a new perspective on American history. We get to see the story of this country from...more
This book breaks from that, and uses instead the history of rum as a framing device to talk about the history of the English-speaking new world.
While the tale of rum is certainly interesting just in a food / drink context, the real strength of this book is in how it is able to give a new perspective on American history. We get to see the story of this country from...more
This was a fascinating and sometimes very funny book that explained how rum, or at least the rum trade, helped shape American history. The title was slightly misleading, because there really aren't 10 cocktails of earth-shaking importance that changed the world, but that's a minor quibble. I still enjoyed sipping the cocktail listed at the beginning of each of the 10 chapters while reading, and am currently working my way through the supplemental recipes at the end of the book.
The book covers a...more
The book covers a...more
This book ties right in with my tiki-loving lifestyle, but first and foremost, I am a lover of the well-crafted cocktail. This history of rum and its story in the "new world" of North America (and its islands) was ceaselessly entertaining and enlightening. For instance, the breakdown of how the "triangle" trade" of rum, molasses and slaves was a convenient fiction that didn't really reflect the complexity of trading across the Atlantic. I learned much about my favorite spirit, and now have a lis...more
This books is part history and part drinking story. The book effortlessly bobs between general history and details of rum consumption. The author clearly enjoyed himself in the research, but like his taste in drinks it is drier than you might expect for rum. This balance towards history works with the message of the book, which is that rum can be a complex and sophisticated liquor. The author claims respect for rum with a respectable book, but doesn't make you take it straight.
On the history sid...more
On the history sid...more
This is a book I definitely recommend. If you like rum, or you enjoy rum drinks, you will probably enjoy this book that will teach you more about the history of this spirit. If you are history buff or reader, you will enjoy the book as well.
The book is organized in chapters named after a different rum drink. Each chapter provides a history of the drink in question as well as a history of the New World in the process. Together, the chapters provide not only a narrative of where rum came from, wh...more
The book is organized in chapters named after a different rum drink. Each chapter provides a history of the drink in question as well as a history of the New World in the process. Together, the chapters provide not only a narrative of where rum came from, wh...more
I've become increasingly fond of rum through adulthood with the past few summers finding squeeze bottles of simple syrup and fresh lime juice in the fridge so a daiquiri is never more than a few shakes away. It was the combination of connections with New England and the nautical mystique that first caught my interest. And besides, it's commonly made from molasses, which is made from sugar, so it must be great, right? I consider myself an advance intermediate when it comes to rum knowledge and wa...more
If history were always this well written, I would have been a history rather than a literature major. I actually laughed out loud in a number of places, at the same time that I learned facts about 17th-21st century history and popular culture that were frequently from an intriguing perspective and always interesting.
If you like rum, the recipes-through-history are a bonus. If you don't, you will still find much, much of value in this volume. Although rum is the focus, the social, political, mil...more
If you like rum, the recipes-through-history are a bonus. If you don't, you will still find much, much of value in this volume. Although rum is the focus, the social, political, mil...more
And a Bottle of Rum by Wayne Curtis draws its title from the pirate song penned by Robert Louis Stevenson for Treasure Island. In fact, Curtis's opening chapter includes an explanation of why he chose the title and how the phrase came about.
From there he explores two parallel histories: the creation of rum and its uses over the years. Along with his discussion of how rum has been used, he has some cocktail recipes and their histories.
My favorite pieces of the book were the history of grog (along...more
From there he explores two parallel histories: the creation of rum and its uses over the years. Along with his discussion of how rum has been used, he has some cocktail recipes and their histories.
My favorite pieces of the book were the history of grog (along...more
i love rum.
and i like history. so history of rum mixed with the new world? i am there.
actually a history of the new world mixed with the alcohol history of the americas. plus, i never knew that our founding fathers were drinking rum. or that the daquiri we get today is a complete bastardization of the real one. or that bacardi is so huge on the marketing.
but man, i want to go to cuba, and i want to get some havana club. badly.
i really think i missed my calling as an alcohol historian. serious...more
and i like history. so history of rum mixed with the new world? i am there.
actually a history of the new world mixed with the alcohol history of the americas. plus, i never knew that our founding fathers were drinking rum. or that the daquiri we get today is a complete bastardization of the real one. or that bacardi is so huge on the marketing.
but man, i want to go to cuba, and i want to get some havana club. badly.
i really think i missed my calling as an alcohol historian. serious...more
Too short to be comprehensive, but that's not really the goal of this book. I enjoy reading about specific resources because it's fun to see history from new angles - especially with regard to eras I studied in school, like the American colonies - and learn to appreciate certain luxuries I take for granted. I liked Curtis's playful approach and obvious enjoyment of his subject matter, and I appreciated his mention of other liquors/cocktails to give a more complete view of rum's relative populari...more
This book is already somewhat dated in that the cocktail "revolution" has moved so fast that some of the ingredients and techniques that are described as hard to find and archaic are in fact reasonably available now. Also the concept of a specific drink is a little strained at times. Nonetheless, it is still an interesting and informative read for anyone who is interested in "cocktail archaeology" in general and rum in particular.
This is a really fun romp through the history of rum from its inception to modern day. Treat this as a reference guide. Each chapter is largely independent of the others, so you can read it piecemeal (as I did).
My favorites stories included the history of Captain Morgan and the origins of the mojito. At the end there is a wealth of knowledge about current brands, their history and cocktail recipes.
My favorites stories included the history of Captain Morgan and the origins of the mojito. At the end there is a wealth of knowledge about current brands, their history and cocktail recipes.
The book opened brilliantly and continued on that way until it stumbled a bit over the history of rum in post-Prohibition eras. Editing got a little sloppy in the later chapters and made the last third of the book feel like it had been rushed into publication.
Still, an enjoyable and stimulating read overall. American high school students would find history in general and American history in particular much more engaging if it was delivered with a little kick the way Mr. Curtis has shown in this...more
Still, an enjoyable and stimulating read overall. American high school students would find history in general and American history in particular much more engaging if it was delivered with a little kick the way Mr. Curtis has shown in this...more
Rating this is a bit hard. It's well written, but is it ever a glazed-eye death march to slog through. It didn't address what I wanted to know, but that isn't the author's problem. So 4 stars for being well-written and researched, but I'd never recommend it anyone as a pelasure read, that's for sure.
I knew that Rum was coming en vogue, but I didn’t know much about its history. A very readable book about a libation that is quite New World. If you have any interest in quality spirits, mixology, or just enjoy a good drink now and again, I recommend this book.
Learned about some new rum drinks I can order at the bar! But in reality, it was an interesting look at how trade, pirates, sugarcane and slavery intertwined to shape the US. Split into 10 different drink chapters. Easy enough read, and engaging.
This was a fun book to read. I was a little annoyed with the author's overly-poetic style at first but then he proved himself with enough solid content that I learned a lot and had a nice time doing it.
Well, clearly, a book for me. I think the title should answer your questions. If I suddenly start talking like a rum snob, just say "Big deal, you read one book and suddenly you're an expert." Fascinating.
3.5 stars
A fun look into the history of the New World via the history of rum. It starts in the Carribbean when the islands were fisrt discovered and travels through time up to the modern day, approximately focusing on a different rum-based drink each chapter. It was defintely more interesting to learn about American history through the history of drink, instead of the almost Prohibition-era like dryness of today's history textbooks. I wasn't quite sure how a whole book could tell the story throu...more
A fun look into the history of the New World via the history of rum. It starts in the Carribbean when the islands were fisrt discovered and travels through time up to the modern day, approximately focusing on a different rum-based drink each chapter. It was defintely more interesting to learn about American history through the history of drink, instead of the almost Prohibition-era like dryness of today's history textbooks. I wasn't quite sure how a whole book could tell the story throu...more
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After a decade of researching and writing travel guides, I ventured into sodden cultural history with "And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails." I have nearly recovered from the research.
I'm a contributing editor at The Atlantic magazine, and I write book reviews for the Wall Street Journal. I've also written for American Scholar, Men's Journal, Yankee, Smithsonian, Saveur...more
More about Wayne Curtis...
I'm a contributing editor at The Atlantic magazine, and I write book reviews for the Wall Street Journal. I've also written for American Scholar, Men's Journal, Yankee, Smithsonian, Saveur...more
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Jun 18, 2009 02:11pm