When a similar conversation took place on this list a couple years ago, but
restricted (I think) to alcohol history, I suggested Wolfgang
Schivelbusch's Tastes of Paradise: A Social History of Spices, Stimulants,
and Intoxicants, which I still use in my alcohol survey (called "Alcohol
and Civilization").  The book covers spices, alcohol, coffee and chocolate,
tobacco, and opium in the manner of a "grand theory."  There is much to
criticize, which is often the case with a grand theory -- it needs to be
balanced with other, more sobering texts -- but that's also part of the
fun.  It's provocative, and a pleasant read for undergrads, with lots of
illustrations, and available in paperback.
   I haven't taught my alcohol course for three years, but when I teach
this course again (next year) I will look at Rod's Short History of Wine --
(and when can we hope for the book from NC to appear?)
- Ann Tlusty

At 09:29 AM 10/19/2004 -0500, Rod Phillips wrote:
>I think that's probably the case, that broad-based (non-monographic)
>alcohol histories aren't readily available in paperback. Clearly,
>publishers are not convinced yet that there are sales to justify it.
>
>For lack of alternatives (because I'd really rather use someone's else's
>work as a foil for lectures) I've been using my own book, A Short History
>of Wine, as a text in my Social History of Alcohol Course at Carleton
>University (Ottawa).
>
>But this year I learned, when my bookstore tried to order 120 copies, that
>Penguin (UK), who first published it in 2000 and brought out a paperback
>in 2001, have sold out and decided to let it go Out of Print. They have a
>benchmark minimum sales target (1,000 sales a year), and I didn't quite
>make it last year.
>
>There is a US edition (HarperCollins), and my students can buy it through
>Amazon.com--the way publishers divide the world prevents their buying it
>retail in Canada.
>
>I'm currently completing a history of alcohol that will be published by
>North Carolina UP.
>
>Rod Phillips
>
> > It's interesting that nearly all the suggestions have concerned drugs
> > other
> > than alcohol (or drugs including alcohol), rarely alcohol or temperance
> > alone.  Is this because the books in this final category aren't available
> > in paperback?  Or are too specialized for undergraduates?
> >