Tom Standage
Most people were taught to divide history in ages, eras, and in some cases decades , Tom Standage seems to divide history in the popular beverage of the time period. In "A History of the World in 6 Glasses" the author brings the reader to an interesting timeline of our history. Fantastically written and catches attention to all who wants to learn about everyday drinks and how they became so popular. Not only does this book share information about these beverages it also brings light to the actual history of the world and with vibrant tone and interesting facts, Standage successfully made an interesting historical novel. Beginning with beer tracing back to ancient times in Mesopotamia and ending with Coca-Cola in modern day United States, Standage properly analyzes social, political, and economical issues of all six of the beverages times, and cleverly does so in order to maintain the readers interest. Each beverage played their role in history and almost all beverages were cherished yet hated at the same time. All beverages containing a drug whether it is alcohol (Beer, Wine ,Spirits) or caffeine (coffee, tea, Coca-Cola). Beer originated from Mesopotamians sometime around 10,000 BCE due to hunter and gathers collecting cereal grains, Cereal grains being a easily harvested food that lasts winter plenty was collected . Later on from 9,000 BCE to 4,000 BCE for some reason these nomadic people converted to a more civilized life style and began farming instead of gathering and created a substance known as gruel (made from cereal grains). if you let a thin gruel sit in the sun beer would be created , it was rumored that god gave man the gift of beer but the most realistic story is that farmer accidently left thin gruel in the sun and adored the taste . Beer became not only the drink for social meetings but also became a icon for religious meetings as well. Civilizations began to sprout up around beer