Location: Home » Wine Books » Company Profiles » Rum: A Social and Sociable History of the Real Spirit of 1776

The Oenophile Network Blog & Forum Links

Wine Blog
Wine Forum

Rum: A Social and Sociable History of the Real Spirit of 1776

enlarge

Author: Ian Williams
Publisher: Nation Books
Category: Book

List Price: ~~$16.95~~
Buy New: $4.92
You Save: $12.03 (71%)

New (18) Used (8) from $4.85

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

12 reviews
Sales Rank: 139344

Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 368
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.5 x 0.9

ISBN: 1560258918
Dewey Decimal Number: 306
EAN: 9781560258919
ASIN: 1560258918

Publication Date: August 17, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Good Condition, delivery time 10 to 12 Working days, via Priority airmail from UK

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 6-10 of 12

« PREV

1 2 3

Rum: A Social and Sociable History of the Real Spirit of 1776 April 8, 2007
A good read...make connections between slavery and other economic acdtivities like the New England fishing industry to the Rum Trade...makes connection between Rum and the social fabric of the American Colonies...an easy and fun read for anybody interested in American History.

2 out of 5 stars

Hack Job January 14, 2007
5 out of 8 found this review helpful

I was expecting a lot more from this book that its author delivered. After 180 pages, which are mostly historical, it is really a chore to think of finishing it. The historical writing is really a hack and, I suspect, largely a rip off of one or two sources, Traussig's book from the 1920s. Save your money.

2 out of 5 stars

Seemed like an advertising to me January 2, 2007
11 out of 17 found this review helpful

I should have been suspicious of a book that had received such perfect set of reviews, but we purchased it anyways.

Right from the start, Mr. Williams sets the tone of his book, which appeared to have been written as a disguised advertising campaign for British Anglo-Saxon culture and British Caribbean rum.

According to his various subtle, and not so subtle passages, in this detail-filled "product placement" literary work, any other culture of rum producing countries had worse products, less history doing it, less "protestant enterprise" and sophistication, and were "relatively more guilty" of slavery, somehow.

Even world famous French Caribbean rums were identified in many old quotes as being "disagreeable in odor" said one, and "a spirit of mediocre degree and disagreeable taste" said another. Mr. Williams subtly but clearly sentenced the many wonderful French Caribbean rums to the land of the detestable and low quality products, far lower than his beloved Anglo-Saxon products.

Judging from his subtle but constant attacks on French Caribbean Rums and also by his frequent mention of another writer, Mr.Alain Huetz de Lemps, whose name he misspelled repeatedly as "de Lemp", his book appears to be a response to such French writer's book "Histoire du rhum (Outremer)", which is also available thru Amazon but unfortunately only in French so far.

Mr. De Lemps has written far many more books than Mr. Williams on food and beverage history of many more cultures around the globe, since the 1950's. So, he must be the real useful reference for anyone interested in food and beverage history.

Mr. Williams commits another blunt literary transgression when he ignored and then also bashed, in his typical subtle manner, Brazil's mega industry of Brazilian rum, locally called "cacha�a" (pronounced "KA-SHA-SSA"), which is still mostly unknown to the outside world, even though it dates back to the mid-1500's.

Brazilian production of sugar and its local version of sugar cane distilled alcohol "cacha�a" is so old, diverse and large that Brazilian rum is now the 4th largest distilled alcohol product in the world by volume, well ahead of Caribbean rum, whisky and "whiskey", Gin, Sake and Tequila. Brazil produces and consumes over 300 million gallons of Brazilian rum per year but only 1% is exported at the present.

Furthermore, it is worth noting, since Mr. Williams wouldn't do it for us, that the 3rd largest alcohol brand in the world by volume is also one such "cacha�a" manufacturer from Brazil that is larger than most world famous names like Bacardi or Mount Gay, and there are an estimated 3.000 other local brands of Brazilian rum to be discovered. Unfortunately, Mr. Williams says nothing about that.

For those who follow the international spirits industry, it is widely known that Brazilian rum is only now becoming increasingly famous, mostly in Europe, where it is used to prepare the tasty Brazilian cocktails "Caipirinhas" (pronounced "KAI-PEE-REE-NYAS), which are made with cacha�a, almost any fresh fruit, crushed and then shaken in a mixture with sugar and ice.

Despite the above, Mr. Williams, in his apparent mission to elevate some rum producing nations and put down others, completely ignores these facts, choosing instead to equate Brazilian rum with ethanol fuel for cars.

He chose to do that, instead of recognizing Brazil's long history and formidable experience with sugar and alcohol production, which have been leading the world's production of such commodities for centuries.

If he wanted to dedicate time in a book about rum to discuss Brazil's alternative fuel industry, then he should have said what is true, instead, which is the fact that the Brazilian sugar cane industry is so old, large and sophisticated that it is the leader today in green fuel technology with the production of ethanol FUEL derived from sugar cane by-products, the same technology now being experimented with by US Mid-Western famers using corn, which is not the same as saying that Brazilians "run" their cars on "Brazilian rum".

Mr.William's apparent tactic to equate one idea with the other was clever and simple, making for a wonderful attack on the yet undiscovered Brazilian rum producers. However, Mr. Williams creation is completely false and misleading.

For anyone who is interested in knowing more about the history of rum and its many types or manifestations, it should go without saying that Brazilian rums or "cacha�as" are every bit as sophisticated and worth discovering as any other rum in the world. If anything, Brazilian rums are even more intriguing, because they are likely to be older and are certainly less discovered than any other type of rum normally available in the marketplace.

For ignoring these facts, willingly or not, I give Mr. Williams a ZERO in literary integrity.

5 out of 5 stars

Rum...Enjoyment in Literature May 24, 2006
4 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is a fantastic book. It is a history book that reads like a novel. I had no idea that the history of "Kill-Devil" was so convoluted and storied. Mr. Williams clearly not only understands his subject,but is passionate about it. I recommend this book to every armcahair alcoholics who love their booze and love thier history. It never hurts to know what you're getting into, or what's geting into you.

5 out of 5 stars

A delightful read October 5, 2005
6 out of 8 found this review helpful

Ian Williams sheds light on the role of the sugary distillation in shaping America in the Revolution and thereafter. The book is filled with juicy anecdotes and tales. You will have a new respect for rum after reading this amusing and enlightening book

Powered by Associate-O-Matic

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service
Ordering
Tracking Your Package
Shipping Information
Domestic Shipping Rates
International Shipping Rates
Returns
Gifts & Gift Certificates
Privacy & Security

Subcategories

•	Mass Market
•	Trade

Untitled Document Disclaimer: This is an Amazon storefront - the products referenced on this site are manufactured and sold by parties other than the Oenophile Network. The Oenophile Network makes no representations regarding either the products or any information vendors offer about their products. Any questions, complaints, or claims regarding the products must be directed to the appropriate manufacturer or vendor, or to Amazon.com.