American History Through a Whiskey Glass: How Distilled Spirits, Domestic Cuisine, and Popular Music Helped Shape a Nation

Experience American history like never before with this unique, informative, and fun guide for history buffs, whiskey enthusiasts, folks who like to cook at home, and fans of popular music.

American History Through a Whiskey Glass presents a unique perspective on American history. It describes how bourbon and rye whiskey played a role in the most important events in American history, including the voyage of the Mayflower, George Washington's failed and successful political campaigns, the Civil War, pioneers moving west, Prohibition (of course), plus many more into the twenty-first century. It does so with descriptions of historical events but also with amusing anecdotes and humorous quotes from the historical figures themselves. The book carefully aligns five elements:

• a narrative about whiskey's role in eight periods of American history
• descriptions and tasting notes for American whiskeys that represent distilled spirits in each historical period
• tutorials on how whiskey is produced and its numerous varieties
• period-specific food recipes drawn mostly from historical cookbooks
• playlists of the popular music during each period

The book gives readers an integrated and entertaining perspective on popular culture in America at different times, revealing how Americans have politicked, drank their native spirits, ate, and sang. But it does more; readers will not only learn about America's history, they can experience it through numerous illustrations, whiskey tasting, food, and music. It provides an opportunity for readers to be involved in a truly immersive approach to life-long learning . . . and it's fun.

About author(s):Harris Cooper is the Hugo L. Blomquist Distinguished Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience, Emeritus, at Duke University. At Duke, he has served as chair of two departments and as the Dean of the Social Sciences for the College of Arts & Sciences, helping administer the departments of history, sociology, political science, and cultural anthropology, among others. He is the author of four textbooks, editor of three books on social science research methods, and four books on education policy. He is a Gold Chalk Award winner for Excellence in Graduate Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Cooper has been an avid reader of American history for more than four decades. He is an Executive Bourbon Steward and has visited over sixty distilleries throughout the United States. He lives in the Research Triangle of North Carolina with his wife, Beth.