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)

History in a Glass is surprisingly interesting

Where does A History of the World in 6 Glasses rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

As one of my biggest surprises. I was looking for a mildly interesting book to listen to as I prepared to go to sleep. This book was far to interesting to fall asleep to. I found myself listening intently as the world was changed by a simply cup of tea or coffee.

What did you like best about this story?

The layout of the story. Each beverage is given it's due and the timelines criss-cross to weave a tapestry of how the work was changed by beer used as a clean source of water and how tea actually lead to a company ruling India.

What does Sean Runnette bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This could have been the driest, dullest book in my library with the wrong narrator. But Sean brings the subject matter to life. He isn't being overly dramatic, he's making the book flow.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. I just really liked it a lot.

really fun book to listen to

Would you consider the audio edition of A History of the World in 6 Glasses to be better than the print version?

I have not read the book so cannot comment

What did you like best about this story?

There were so many different facts about the way that beverages had been consumed,made and enjoyed over the decades, centuries, and millennia. There were a lot of social/historical aspects of the drinks also that were fascinating. It gave me a new perspective on consuming beverages of all types and a much more thorough history that is behind each beverage

What does Sean Runnette bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I felt the audio book was quite entertaining and it was fun to listen to.

Any additional comments?

I personally enjoyed this book tremendously. It had so many different fascinating aspects of the beverages that most of us consume in one form or another. It also pointed out a lot of the social aspects that were associated with each beverage and from now on it will be hard for me to consume any beverage without thinking about where it has come from and the history behind it.

Again a really fun audio to listen to

Interesting View of History

I was thrilled to get this and the book did not disappoint. Interesting through and through and will definitely do a deeper dive because of each story told.

Bit of a Snore

I love history books. When I finish a good history book I want to tell my friends about the cool facts I learned. After finishing this book all I thought was...Meh. There are a few cool facts but overall I found the book a bit of a Snore.

Fantastic, Insightful & Delicious

What a great book! Not only is very detailed on how the drinks were first created, the origins, original uses but really showcases the history of all civilization through these glasses and how they each shaped history.
Imagine that each drink represents an era of civilization. That's how the book is laid out.
Highly recommend

Amazing story - Such a Cool History

What made the experience of listening to A History of the World in 6 Glasses the most enjoyable?

I really enjoyed this audiobook. It starts with a quote that says something along the lines of there are no true histories of the human race, only various histories of human activity. This book puts forward an amazing history of the human race through the lens of our beverages. I have been dropping these facts on my wife for three weeks. She's been kind of astounded by the change in worldview that this book is brought about in me. I've been delighted by the stories, which are fast-paced and informative. Just the right balance of information and example..

What was one of the most memorable moments of A History of the World in 6 Glasses?

The role of beer in establishing the first settlements of mankind. I know it's a little speculative, but it made tons of sense and was really awesome to think about.

What does Sean Runnette bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The pacing is really excellent. I never once thought that I'm listening to an audiobook, more that I'm listening to a story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was really shocked at the description of the early coffee houses in England and how much that contributed to the rise of the Enlightenment. I mean, this is like our entire worldview came from this one social experience, which had at its core the imbibement of a slightly stimulating drink. We are amazing creatures.

Any additional comments?

A great listen! If you like history and science and social theory, this book is gonna be awesome for you.

Very Refreshing Book

When you think that you have heard all the history angles here comes this excellent book. You will not be disappointed.

More informative then expected

I had a rough start getting used to the style of the speaker and the progress of the plot but it was very much worth it once i found our rythem and enjoyed the book very much!

i will listen to this book again!

Wow!

This was so so good!
It is utterly amazing how much history was packed into this book and how enjoyable it was to listen to.
Very well written and read!!

Great for a Whirlwind Tour with some Voice

I’m a big fan of this kind of book (see also The Triumph of Seeds, Periodic Tales, and How To Live Like a Tudor), and I’m sure I’ll relisten to this several times. It’s a very easy book to listen to, staying away from the dryness that can accompany even such an interesting premise if the writer uses a certain acerbic academic “voice.”

This is like conversations I’ve had with people who are big into history and their hobbies, who draw you in on the most random topics and can make something as straightforward as the origins of beer feel like this intriguing and vital topic that you want to prob further. In fact, if I have one issue with the book, it’s that I wish it went deeper, more in depth, and spent more time on each beverage and it’s ramifications on the world and culture.

I probably knew the most about beer and coffee, due to their impacts on culture in the areas they first gained prominence. And knew the least about sodas, especially their worth in propaganda. If I listen to a section with anyone on a car ride it will probably be that one, as I’ve heard less about it in fewer places, so even my history buff friends will be less likely to know that information.

For someone who drinks only one of the beverages discussed, I’m terrifically pleased with this book. It’s ridiculously entertaining and easy to listen to, IF this is the kind of thing you usually like. I went into it knowing it was up my alley, but somehow I still game away happier with it than expected. I didn’t want it to be over and was kind of bummed to move on. If that’s not the mark of a well-executed book, I don’t know what is. I’m going to go see what other books the author has, because I really like his voice.

The narrator also did a wonderful job; audiobooks are a tango between subject and performance, after all. He often had that tone of, “This is so interesting to me, let me tell you about it,” that draws a person in, while not being so over hyped that it becomes tiring to hear the energy level. His vocal tone is warm and bright without being squeaky or displeasing in any way, a very smooth performance. I sometimes use books I’ve listened to, that have some re-play value, to go to sleep or get back to sleep, and this will be on that list, not because it’s boring or the reader is slow, but because the narrator’s tone is just that pleasing. There’s no distracting music to break up the book and wake me, there’s no extremely looonnngggg break between chapters that wake you from the sudden silence. The production is stellar.

This is also going on my gift list for a few people who like history. I don’t know any wine buffs or beer fanatics, and if I did, I don’t know that their section would make the book worth it to them, and I’m sure there are books just on those subjects. But for history people wanting to explore it through an interesting thread most histories don’t follow, this is ideal.

Again, stellar work.