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? > >