A History of the World in 6 Glasses

By: Tom Standage

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

Best history book ever!!

Would you listen to A History of the World in 6 Glasses again? Why?

Absolutely highly amusing and interesting.

What other book might you compare A History of the World in 6 Glasses to and why?

I would compare this to Guns Germs and Steel because both look at the bigger picture of history. This book focuses on drinks and their origins. Both take a unique perspective on history and teach in an interesting way. Although the History of the World in 6 glasses was a little more fun and much shorter. A must read!

What about Sean Runnette’s performance did you like?

Very good voice to listen to.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

So interesting the history of Coca cola and Pepsi. The politics about where they could sell their product in the world was interesting. Especially since Coca Cola was the drink of World War I.

New & interesting perspective

Concise and quick read/listen.
I enjoyed this new perspective on history. Relating events of the time with the specific beverage of its day was terribly interesting to me.
It’s not a particularly deep dive but it gives just enough information to keep you engaged.
I’d recommend this book for anyone who likes a different take on historical events, as well as the casual reader.
It’s definitely good information to have for your next social gathering — cheers!

A light history

This was an interesting look into the influence of drink on humanity. I learned a few things and I was entertained. This is a book that I would recommend to friends.

Highly recommend

An incredible book. So dense I will probably read again. Extremely informative and entertaining. Will find other books by author.

Engaging

As a history teacher, it makes a great resource for high school students to explore history through items they know.

Great take on History

Really enjoyed this view of history through the lens of beverages. One of my favorite narrators as well. Great job all around.

fantastic

If you are a history aficionado, this fun and easy to digest book is for you! Each drink has it's place in history and in significance and the book does a fantastic job at highlighting why they have an importance both culturally and historically, as well as the ramifications of their invention. truwly worth a read

The importance of the otherwise benign.

I enjoyed looking at history through the lens of a cup or a glass. Much like the history of fabric. Drinks throughout the ages are interesting and important.

Head half full

Content rich, very informative. Full of 'ooooh' and 'aaaaah' moments.
Great stories to recount over beverages with friends while drinking, you can make uninvited comments about the drink you're sipping and sound like a right wanker... In a good way.

Not at all boring!

Any additional comments?

I was surprised that I enjoyed this book so much. I bought it on sale, and I saw many great reviews, but I figured those were the history buffs out there that read encyclopedias as children, likely. :0) But it was very inexpensive, so I bought it and listened. Wow. Very interesting and very quick-moving, I loved hearing history I knew told from the perspective of the most popular drink of the day/region. My 11 year old heard me talking to my husband about it and snagged the book on his iPod. He really liked it as well, listening to it over the weekend. Very good book.