Pretty much the definitive book on alcoholism
351422
Beautifully written, but so tragic. She finally gets clean from alcohol, but continues to smoke and dies of lung cancer. Regardless, this is so on point, neither shocking for the sake of shocking, nor candy coating, this book walks the line of the functional alcoholic- it's a lot of people's story and it's her story, She does conquer and that also showed the very real side of how hard recovery is. Read this one.
46110
This wondrous book is, in part, a collection of material written by Rich over the years for the Modern Drunkard Magazine, which he publishes and edits.

It's more than simply a compilation, however. The material has been grouped and ordered in such a way that once you've swallowed the lot in one long session (which you undoubtably will!) the purpose of your life will be far clearer; to spend it gloriously pie-eyed.

Frank Kelly Rich writes beautifully and with utter conviction in his cause. Mucus-snortingly hilarious it might be, but it's also a serious manifesto that the author preaches with unswerving dedication and bar thumping passion.

First, you owe it to yourself to buy this book. Second, you owe it to your friends to get them one for Christmas, or any time for that matter. Third, and most importantly, you owe it to any miserable prohibitionist kill-joy you might know. The Modern Drunkard is good enough to convince even them to join the good fight.

Rise up, boozehead!
223469
Prohibition is a fascinating period of American history, and except for vague references contained in 1920s period pieces, I've never seen a non-fiction work which examines it in detail.  This is just such a book.

From the years leading up to passage of the Eighteenth Amendment, the machinations (both political and social) required in order to see it through Congress and the various state legislatures, the years in which the amendment was in force, and finally the steps taken to repeal it, this book is a comprehensive guide to the subject.  In addition to the historical facts and the political backdrop, the book does an outstanding job identifying and examining the numerous personalities that arose on both sides of the issue during the period in question.

Of particular interest to me was the extent of alcohol consumption prior to passage of Prohibition.  According to the author, the average American adult consumed 1.7 fifths of 80 proof alcohol every week.  While Prohibition put a dent in consumption, with repeal, usage returned to a rate of 1.4 fifths per week.  That is a stunning statistic, especially when you consider the substantial number of teetotalers in the population.

Also interesting was the connection between the income tax and the alcohol excise tax.  Prior to Prohibition, the excise tax on alcohol was the primary source of government revenue.  With Prohibition, the income tax came into favor as a means of funding government operation.  Some of the biggest foes of Prohibition and advocates of repeal were wealthy Americans who saw the alcohol excise tax as a method of eliminating the still nascent income tax.  Silly people, thinking that a new means of government revenue would lead to a reduction in other sources.  More money, more spending!

While this is a very worthwhile book and is comprehensive in its detail and analysis, I would be remiss in failing to point out that it does drag at times and can bog down in seemingly minute detail.  The style is somewhat more academic than one would encounter in purely pleasure reading.  Nevertheless, as an enlightening look at a seldom discussed topic, I can recommend it to anyone with an interest in U. S. history.
2945295
I first learned of Paul Harrington, "The Alchemist," from the  Cocktail website at HotWired.  His classic descriptions of drinks, their  histories, and the nuances of mixology (NOT bartending) made me an instant  devotee.
As much as I love the website, it's not the most practical  reference (i.e. few people have a computer in their bar).  I was thrilled  when Paul released this book with all the wonderful aspects of the website,  including the gorgeous and inspirational illustrations, intact.  I've  browsed through a number of other drink related books, purchased a subset  of those books, and use even fewer.  When I want a recipe or a history, I  turn first to this book.
While Cocktail doesn't claim to have recipes for  every drink known to man, it does have all the classics.  Let's face it, do  you really want to know how to make a "pink squirrel" or  "slow comfortable screw"?  If so, this book is probably not for  you.  Take heart, though, for Paul does provide direction for countless  other, less classic, drinks at the website.
If you're serious about  exploring cocktail culture or expanding your libation repertoire -- both as  a mixologist and an imbiber -- you'll find this book infinitely useful and  a joy to use as well as peruse.
1096541
Addiction Treatment Forum (www.atforum.com) book review; September 2000;  Stewart B. Leavitt, PhD, Editor -- Simply put, Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A  Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment; 5th edition. is a book that may  help save lives. In this 380 page text, Marc A. Schuckit, MD provides an  overview of drug classifications and mechanisms, and covers the  pharmacology and mental/physical effects of alcohol, depressants,  stimulants, opioids, hallucinogens, cannabis, and more. Most critical,  there is an emphasis throughout the book on how to deal with emergency  medical problems related to drug abuse, dependency, and  overdose.
Schuckit, who is affiliated with the University of California  Medical School and Veteran Affairs Healthcare System in San Diego, is a  talented lecturer and he apparently writes like he speaks: clear and  concise, technical but understandable. This 5th edition of his text dating  back to 1979 includes a 70% updating of reference material with a focus on  newer developments in pharmacotherapy, plus an all new chapter on  prevention. The coverage of substances of abuse is all-encompassing;  ranging from "Acid" (hallucinogens) to "Zoom"  (stimulants), and everything imaginable in between.
How does one use a  book like this? Schuckit recommends skimming all of the chapters covering  the many drug classes, including descriptions of individual drugs and  associated pathology, then rereading sections of particular interest. From  there, the book can serve as a handbook, kept nearby for easily-accessed  advice on dealing with drug-related crises or confirming suspected  drug-induced symptomatology appearing in clinical settings. The text is  fully indexed and evidence-based, with research references listed at the  end of each of the 16 chapters.
Certainly, medical practitioners will  find this book invaluable. It also could be an essential reference for  nursing staff, psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other  professionals who need a quick, handy, clinically-oriented manual on  alcohol and other drug problems.
Schuckit MA. Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A  Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment; 5th edition. New York: Kluwer  Academic/Plenum Publishers; January 2000. ISBN 0306462303. Available online  from www. Amazon.com ($49.95 + shipping) and at other booksellers.
2867316
Fantastic. Updated version of Alan Carr-- but I liked this better. It really speaks to your underlying belief system around alcohol. This creates a liberating shift in our cultural norms of thinking that alcohol will help you and is desirable. I wouldn't think reading about alcohol's negative effects would have any bearing on me -- but this is not just laying out the facts you already know, it basically digs into the subconscious desire to self-medicate with alcohol and removes it. It also is a great compliment to other modalities without assuming to be any kind of long-term cure. I think the author has a  lot of credibility in how she presents this process. I highly recommend for people who feel that "eventually they will go back to alcohol" and therefore can never really give it up. This book really shifts your perception in a positive life-affirming way.
1838304
Drink Less Be More is the only book I can find that took a refreshing approach to alcohol 'problems' specifically for women. Alcohol 'problems'  is simply defined for me as alcohol is causing problems in my life, e.g. anxiety, poor choices, embarrassment, shame etc. not everyone needs to quit when they have 'problems', some of course will have to, but for the rest of us we need strategies and support to make better choices.  This book looks at alcohol and alcohol dependancy in the broader context, and more accurately as a spectrum, one end being a healthy drinker that has no associated problems, the other end an alcoholic.  But, there is a whole number of people in between who want to enjoy alcohol moderately, and Caitlin gets that. It is not easy to reflect deeply on your relationship with alcohol, but not unlike other vices, like food, it takes time, and we need to start somewherethis guide is the perfect place!
4721148
I am a recovering alcoholic addict with nearly 10 years clean time up. I am now the founder and Managing Director of Visible Recovery, a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in Adelaide, South Australia. In all my time in my own journey, I have read everything that I could get my hands on regarding recovery in various guises and descriptions. I have studied in alcohol and other drugs, and addictions. I am currently finishing my Diploma in Counselling this year, and next year, start a degree in Social Science (Counselling) For me, this is possibly the best book I have ever read concerned with the description of alcoholism, in all of its facets, and in what you have to do to change. The author has a first hand understanding of the illness, and the dilemma that we face in recovery. This describes the areas of life we need to look at to enable the shift from a drinking alcoholic to a more normal way of life. Like her, I feel that my sobriety has given me a second life that means that every second is precious to me, and this book describes how to get there quite succinctly indeed.

In my work with others that suffer this illness, I feel obliged to provide them with the best tools that I can to assist them in their quest to change. This book will become a part of that arsenal for my clients, a "must read" whilst they are with us at the start of their recovery. I will be purchasing several physical copies of this fantastic work just for that purpose. Buy this book and read it. Absorb it. Do it. Getting clean and sober was the single best thing that I have ever done in my entire life, and this book will definitely help you get there.
4382948
One of the best books on understanding the root cause of Alcohol addiction. Offers a way to change it if you are up for a healthy lifestyle. I bought more to give away.
968118
I need to read it again.  I have had my ups and downs with trying to control my alcohol intake.  This would be more for the person who feels like they can control their drinking to a certain extent.  If you are a "full-blown" alcoholic--meaning once you start you just can't stop--this is not the book for you.  If you are a person concerned about your drinking but have the ability to stop sometimes and other times get out of hand--there is value here.  I need to read it again to really absorb all the information.

If you are an AA advocate, you will hate this book.  If you are kind of waivering in your program, it is worth a read.
2655119
"A popular hangover cure called for two ounces of opium, one of saffron, a dash of cloves and cinnamon, and a pint of wine, though perhaps in an emergency you could skip the cinnamon." - Barbara Holland in THE JOY OF DRINKING

In this relatively short (148 pages), small format hardcover, Barbara Holland explores mankind's long-standing love-hate relationship with booze. In order to establish the universal appeal of alcoholic beverages, she reminds the reader that such have an honored past in such far flung and widely disparate civilizations as ancient China, Aztecan Mexico, Mohammad-era Arabia, nomadic Mongolia, Tahiti, Central Africa, Nepal, the Amazonian jungle, and ancient Babylon, Greece, Rome and Egypt. She fails to mention the Eskimos.

Entering the more or less modern era, Holland next focuses on England with its beer, ale, gin, tankards, and taverns. Then, she skips across The Pond to England's political and sociological offspring, the Thirteen Colonies, eventually to become the United States, where her story matures to include rum, martinis (shaken vs. stirred), cocktails, moonshine, the Temperance Movement, Prohibition, alcoholism, hangovers, and the current trends towards high-priced coffee and bottled water as more socially acceptable but less satisfying alternatives. She concludes the book with two appendices, one incorporating home recipes for making one's own applejack, apple wine, elderberry wine, dandelion wine, blackberry wine, frozen potato wine, and peach brandy, and the second on starting up your own still, complete with a helpful diagram.

Here as in all her books of social commentary, Holland's tone is wryly humorous, breezy, and irreverent while constructing a sufficiently detailed and comprehensive overview to make its entertaining point(s). Yet, this one isn't so burdened with esoterica as to lose a relative non-drinker such as myself. (Two to three beers per week and the monthly glass of wine satisfy my taste for alcohol not withstanding that a daily moderate intake has ostensible health benefits.)

THE JOY OF DRINKING is a necessary addition to any Barbara Holland fan's library. And it has the added attraction of being a quick read.
398971
Addictions textbooks are hit or miss in graduate school as any counselor will tell you.  Lassiter and Culbreth's edited work is more useful than most in my opinion, because she gives both a concise overview and also practical application - a combination sadly rare outside of clinical practice, though the field is changing in this direction.  The authors provide an overview of the biological and psychosocial theories of addiction, and several of the contemporary techniques and thoretical formulas used to treat it.  The two most significant are highlighted of course, CBT and Motivational Interviewing, but they even provide information, albeit brief, on rarer modalities such as the psychodynamic sphere.  Different authors writing in one edited tome gives a very good comprehensive overview.

In general, one of the better books I've utilized.  I will definitely use this as a reference for years to come.  This would be very good for any foundational substance abuse classes at the graduate level, and students wishing to pursue substance abuse treatment at any level might benefit from utilizing this.
1492075
This book is wonderful. Regardless of how you believe about alcohol and the place it has in a believer's life, this book is a fantastic exploration of what the Bible says about alcohol. The author by his own admission is an abstentionist but for personal reasons; in this book he is not setting out to convince anyone to drink or not to drink. He is merely trying to examine the Bible in as neutral a perspective as possible. And I think he does just that. He literally relies on the Bible and pulls a "Let's see what God says in His Word, without clouding the issue with opinions or other authors' judgments." Period. I appreciate that the book basically takes Scripture and says, "Here's what the Bible says. You make the call."
1921254
This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about someone who drinks. Alcoholism is a baffling disease and it can be hard to watch someone you care about self-destruct. This book really helped me understand why alcoholics think and feel the way they do. It explains the emotional side of the illness, in particular how fear rules an alcoholic's thinking. I began to understand that alcoholics are not equipped to deal with their fears, which then gets out of control. And alcohol takes all of this (fear - and other feelings) away. But then of course alcohol makes things worse and so they drink more to take away the feelings of shame and embarrassment. By reading this book and seeking the `whys," I now understand that drinking is really only a symptom and that alcoholics use alcohol to manage how they feel.

The great thing about this book is that it not only gives the appropriate background for the "whys", but also gives hope in what should be done. The solution to all of this is then laid out in the book. Stopping drinking is only the beginning. There is a particularly useful chapter on relationships that would be useful for most people, not just alcoholics.  Throughout the book are case studies of people who have overcome alcoholism; each story reveals a different aspect of alcoholism, which helps illustrate a lot of the points the author was making. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand alcoholism, it is easy to read and very empowering. But most of all, it allows someone who might know nothing about alcoholism to connect with this very serious illness and helps the reader find solutions and ways to move forward.
4703897
If you want to amaze your friends at the neighborhood pub or the next cocktail party, this book has all the right ingredients. In Proof: The Science of Booze, Kavli Science Journalism Award winner and first-time author Adam Rogers covers everything you can imagine about the subject. There are chapters on the science and history of yeast in the production of alcoholic beverages, the role of sugar, the processes of fermentation, distillation, and aging, the biochemistry of smell and taste, the effects of booze on the body, and the causes, prevention, and cure of hangovers.  Rogers research was exhaustive; the bibliography is more than 13 pages long, and his travels took him from the ultra-exclusive New York cocktail bar Booker and Dax to  Glen Ord Maltings in Muir of Ord, Scotland,  to the San Francisco Brain Research Institute. The research was impressive, until Rogers described the experiment where he and two friends got totally blotto in order to test the effectiveness of some recommended hangover cures, at which point I decided his devotion to his subject had gone above and beyond.
So why only 3 stars? Its not what he said; its how he said it. Rogers is an editor at Wired magazine, and Proof apparently grew out of a Wired article, The Angels Share, about the Canadian whiskey fungus. Proof is written in the same Wired style, and it just doesnt work as well here.  Wired often takes a light tone liberally laced with witty comments, which I normally enjoy, but the humor here often comes across as forced. Also the author will drop witticisms into the middle of an extended serious scientific description, where it seems out of place. The book also seems disorganized. There is a topic for each chapter,  and the author covers a number of items under that topic without good transitions. For example, the chapter on Sugar talks about a 19th-century Japanese scientist named Jokichi Takamine who developed a process to replace malting in distilling whiskey. It says, "He was on the cusp of a new world of booze, but the Old World wasn't quite ready to let go yet." The next paragraph launches into a 5-page description of a present-day Scotch whiskey malting operation and how it operates. The book suddenly leaves that topic and jumps to a discussion of koji, the fungus that produces sake. My reaction is, "So what happened to Takamine's process?" Eventually the chapter gets back to Takamine and his process, but all it says is "it never really took off", hardly a very satisfying conclusion. In some chapters, the author leaves a subject abruptly and never does return to it. These kinds of problems are much less likely to occur in a shorter magazine article. Although Roagers  has won prizes for his journalism, this is his first full-length book, and he hasn't quite made a successful transition to the longer format.
If you are very strongly attracted to the subject of booze or the style is not an issue for you, you will probably enjoy Proof. Otherwise, perhaps you should accompany your reading with a good stiff drink.
1841053
This is a vital book for any aspiring mixologist. If you are tired of pursuing cocktail recipes that deliberately include three or more liqueurs that no one is likely to keep in their home bar, or which claim success can only come by purchasing whatever brand of liquor paid the recipe's author, then buy this book immediately.

The recipes are simple, classic, and if you have a well-stocked home bar with all the basic spirits, you will find that you can make many more things than you ever thought you could. No more buying $50 worth of stuff you'll never use again to make that Pomegranate Tom CosmoTini or whatever.

Vignettes interspersed among the recipes will give you the history of classic cocktails and locations. Thematic organization makes it easy to find, say, party punches, or martinis, without remembering names. The cover and pages are durable, at least somewhat waterproof, and its slimness will let you wedge it between the gin and the whisky.
311046
This book provides an essential foundation to the alcoholic who is seeking healing and a better life through spiritual growth and practical advice, despite one's position of faith in life.  The personal stories included in the book cover a wide variety of experiences that will validate the struggles faced by any alcoholic.  The message in each tale is one of hope and encouragement for recovery from the allergy to alcohol.  Agnostics and believers alike will appreciate the practical medical information and solutions along with the moving personal anecdotes.  This is a book to keep for life as a reference and reminder of the process of recovery.