Review: Proof: The Science of Booze by Adam Rogers
Proof: The Science of Booze
by Adam Rogers
Man has been making alcohol since the dawn of civilization. In fact, the desire for alcohol is virtually universal across cultures, with every group creating their own local variation. Starting with basic ingredients like yeast and sugar, Adam Rogers traces alcohol through production and aging to its impact on the body and mind of the drinker. He unites a variety of scientific disciplines, including physics and chemistry and biology, with history and sociology to explore booze from every angle. Whether you’re a gourmand seeking to learn more about your favorite cocktail or a technology nerd interested in the equipment used to manufacture alcohol, Proof is a fantastic companion to bring to the bar.
Recently, I’ve been taking chemistry classes, and I find them dull. Boring. But man, that background sure was useful while I was reading Proof. The book is jam-packed with information, and Rogers’ enthusiasm flows through every sentence. In his excitement, he jumps topics frequently, so at times it’s a bit chaotic. But I didn’t mind; the author manages to keep the material interesting and accessible to readers who may not be scientifically-minded. I loved learning how fruit and grains are transformed into spirits, and why whiskey is different from gin or rum or tequila. But this isn’t just a history of alcohol; it’s a study of the relationship between it and humans. So there are chapters that talk about alcohol’s appearance, smell, and effect on the body.
The best chapter was probably the last one, which discusses hangovers. I had thought that something that afflicts so many people would have been studied extensively, but while there’s plenty of research on alcohol consumption there’s not much on its aftereffects. Rather than be discouraged, Rogers and some friends decide to do their own research testing hangover remedies. The drinking party is a fun way to close out the book, even as Rogers’ descriptions of the following morning left me feeling sorry for his self-induced misery.
4 out of 5 stars
To read more about Proof, buy it or add it to your wishlist click here.
Peeking into the archives...today in:
2014: Wars of the Roses: Stormbird (Wars of the Roses #1) by Conn Iggulden
2013: The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa
2012: Sailor Moon Vol. 4 by Naoko Takeuchi
2011: Fashionista Piranha will be on hiatus for a while...
2010: Lady of the Butterflies by Fiona Mountain
2009: The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
2008: The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent
by Adam Rogers
Man has been making alcohol since the dawn of civilization. In fact, the desire for alcohol is virtually universal across cultures, with every group creating their own local variation. Starting with basic ingredients like yeast and sugar, Adam Rogers traces alcohol through production and aging to its impact on the body and mind of the drinker. He unites a variety of scientific disciplines, including physics and chemistry and biology, with history and sociology to explore booze from every angle. Whether you’re a gourmand seeking to learn more about your favorite cocktail or a technology nerd interested in the equipment used to manufacture alcohol, Proof is a fantastic companion to bring to the bar.
Recently, I’ve been taking chemistry classes, and I find them dull. Boring. But man, that background sure was useful while I was reading Proof. The book is jam-packed with information, and Rogers’ enthusiasm flows through every sentence. In his excitement, he jumps topics frequently, so at times it’s a bit chaotic. But I didn’t mind; the author manages to keep the material interesting and accessible to readers who may not be scientifically-minded. I loved learning how fruit and grains are transformed into spirits, and why whiskey is different from gin or rum or tequila. But this isn’t just a history of alcohol; it’s a study of the relationship between it and humans. So there are chapters that talk about alcohol’s appearance, smell, and effect on the body.
The best chapter was probably the last one, which discusses hangovers. I had thought that something that afflicts so many people would have been studied extensively, but while there’s plenty of research on alcohol consumption there’s not much on its aftereffects. Rather than be discouraged, Rogers and some friends decide to do their own research testing hangover remedies. The drinking party is a fun way to close out the book, even as Rogers’ descriptions of the following morning left me feeling sorry for his self-induced misery.
4 out of 5 stars
To read more about Proof, buy it or add it to your wishlist click here.
Peeking into the archives...today in:
2014: Wars of the Roses: Stormbird (Wars of the Roses #1) by Conn Iggulden
2013: The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa
2012: Sailor Moon Vol. 4 by Naoko Takeuchi
2011: Fashionista Piranha will be on hiatus for a while...
2010: Lady of the Butterflies by Fiona Mountain
2009: The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
2008: The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent