A History of the World in 6 Glasses

By: Tom Standage

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Throughout human history, certain drinks have done much more than just quench thirst. As Tom Standage relates with authority and charm, six of them have had a surprisingly pervasive influence on the course of history, becoming the defining drink during a pivotal historical period.

A History of the World in 6 Glasses tells the story of humanity from the Stone Age to the 21st century through the lens of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola. Beer was first made in the Fertile Crescent and by 3000 B.C.E. was so important to Mesopotamia and Egypt that it was used to pay wages. In ancient Greece, wine became the main export of her vast seaborne trade, helping spread Greek culture abroad. Spirits such as brandy and rum fueled the Age of Exploration, fortifying seamen on long voyages and oiling the pernicious slave trade. Although coffee originated in the Arab world, it stoked revolutionary thought in Europe during the Age of Reason, when coffeehouses became centers of intellectual exchange. And hundreds of years after the Chinese began drinking tea, it became especially popular in Britain, with far-reaching effects on British foreign policy. Finally, though carbonated drinks were invented in 18th-century Europe, they became a 20th-century phenomenon, and Coca-Cola in particular is the leading symbol of globalization.

For Tom Standage, each drink is a different kind of technology, a catalyst for advancing culture by which he demonstrates the intricate interplay of different civilizations. You may never look at your favorite beverage the same way again.

©2005 Tom Standage (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Standage starts with a bold hypothesis - that each epoch, from the Stone Age to the present, has had its signature beverage - and takes readers on an extraordinary trip through world history." ( Publishers Weekly)

eh

I was thrilled when I bought it. I ended up wishing Bill Bryson had written it. Seriously. I'm impressed with the research that went into this book, but a lighter touch would have done wonders.

a fascinating history

the impact of these beverages on human society is interesting and poignant to the modern world.

Intriguing!

I appreciated the depth of history surrounding each various beverage and the way the author linked it all. The politically correct terms “BCE”, and “CE” substituting for “BC” and “AD” are jarring. Also, the reader tends to monotone, unfortunately.

Excellent Journey

Well-written and very informative. It engaged my attention the entire time. I even rewound it to make sure I caught certain details.

An interesting take on history through drinks

The author has a well researched and interesting walk through 6 major drinks that have impacted modern history. A fun, quick listen.

Fun history

I am a fan of most beverages, but particularly coffee. It’s interesting to hear the stories and history of the various beverages that shaped the world. I enjoyed hearing the events and the wars that were interconnected with the various drinks throughout the course of humanity.

If you like history, or you enjoy a particular beverage, you’ll probably enjoy his book.

interesting

interesting walk through history and how drinks influenced it. it was also a chief source of currency.

Good survey of 6 historically important beverages

Similar in approach to Kurlanky's SALT or to Diamond's GUNS, GERMS, & STEEL but less exhaustive and exhausting which I deemed to be a good thing. Clear and well-phrased narration.

Great info, dry delivery

Would you try another book from Tom Standage and/or Sean Runnette?

I would try another book by Tom, but not narrated by Sean. Sean's delivery is very monotone and dry.

What did you like best about this story?

I love all of these beverages, so hearing the history of them and how they affected our world was a pleasure!

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Sean Runnette?

I am not as familiar with the variety of narrators, but the delivery was very monotone and dry. This topic should be sparked with enthusiasm, so any narrator with a bit more passion in his/her voice would have been better. Still worth the listen.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

can't see this book as a movie at all

Outstanding

Tom Standage has done it again. Entertaining and informative I can't say enough good things about this book. Additionally, the narrator is easy to listen to.