Out of It: A Cultural History of Intoxication - Softcover

Walton, Stuart

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1400049768 ISBN 13: 9781400049769

Publisher: Three Rivers Press, 2003

Synopsis

“Like any good cocktail, this book brings together tasty ingredients in a delicious mix.” —Boston Herald

“Walton is hilariously well-versed in wine terminology, and his wit is deliciously dry.” —Seattle Weekly

Out of It is a thoroughly addictive examination of intoxicants, from the everyday substances of alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco to the illicit realm of opiates, amphetamines, and hallucinogens. More than a mere (if heady) catalog of intoxicants, however, Stuart Walton’s book is a smart, wry look at why intoxication has always been a part of the human experience—from our earliest Stone Age rituals to the practices of the ancient Greeks and Romans, right on up through the Victorian era and ending with a flourish in modern times—and more significantly, why the use of intoxicants is, and will continue to be, an essential part of being human.

“An insightful overview of humanity’s historical and cultural attachment to various intoxicants. . . . It deserves a prominent place in the emerging discussion reshaping understanding and policies regarding intoxication and the use of drugs and alcohol.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“Walton is particularly, and convincingly, engrossing, an elegant and forceful stylist.”—The Guardian

About this title

From the Back Cover:

“Walton is particularly, and convincingly, engrossing, an elegant and forceful stylist, and were this a longer review I would quote copiously to prove the point. For the moment, you will have to take this on trust.”
—The Guardian

About the Author:

STUART WALTON is a cultural historian, journalist, and the author of numerous books on the subject of wine and liquors.
From the Hardcover edition.

About this edition

• Publisher: Three Rivers Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1400049768
• ISBN 13: 9781400049769
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384