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 [log in to unmask]