My interest in this list stems from a writing project I recently
undertook on the influence of excessive drinking on military and politcal
figures during the 19th century.  I do some freelance writing, non-fiction,
mostly American history.   While doing research two years ago for a book I was
writing on Civil War era proper names (basically a pronouncing dictionary with
brief biographical sketchs) I was amazed at how often the subject of alcohol
and/or temperance came up.  I knew from years and years of reading about the
Civil War and the antebellum era that there were a few rather well known
problem drinkers, like Ulysses Grant and Franklin Pierce.  I also knew that
there were temperance zealots too, like Neal Dow of Maine.  However, since my
primary interest in doing this research was the hard to pronounce first or
last names of various prominent individuals, I was surprised at how often some
reference to drinking or temperance cropped up.  It occurred to me that
alcohol may have played a much bigger role in the Civil War and events leading
up to it than has been commonly thought.  Alcohol and abstinence seem to be
two powerful forces in American history.  One wonders how many important
decisions have been made under the influence.     I look forward to learning
from and participating in the discussions on the list.
Bob Quigley
Waterbury, CT
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