I recently had the pleasure of reviewing a series of books that are interesting and quick reading material for your summer book list. The books are a part of The Edible Series from Reaktion Books, which encompass topics from apples to sandwiches. There are four in particular that cover "A Global History" of a particular distilled spirit: Gin, Rum, Vodka, and Whiskey.
Each of the books is penned by a different author, all of whom are experts on the topic, and are excellently written histories that work both as a collection and as individual books. What I enjoy most is how each author has distilled a vast history of each liquor's production, ingredients, and business into around 170 pages. Unlike other books with a narrow focus but more volume these timelines are easy to follow and interesting to read, even if you already know the story. Each also has a handful of recipes - usually the standards for each spirit - nestled in the back for easy reference.
Read the full review and learn more about the individual books and authors...
Another book from the series that I am currently reading and is very useful for mixologists is Herbs: A Global History by Gary Allen. It has a plethora of useful information that we can take into the bar and the kitchen.
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