Uncorking the Past

By Patrick E. McGovern,

Book cover of Uncorking the Past: The Quest for Wine, Beer, and Other Alcoholic Beverages

Book description

In a lively tour around the world and through the millennia, "Uncorking the Past" tells the compelling story of humanity's ingenious, intoxicating quest for the perfect drink. Following a tantalizing trail of archaeological, chemical, artistic, and textual clues, Patrick E. McGovern, the leading authority on ancient alcoholic beverages, brings us…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Uncorking the Past as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Patrick McGovern is an archeologist on a mission to discover ancient tipples. In Uncorking the Past he recounts several of his most significant finds, including the world’s oldest-known manmade alcoholic beverage at Jiahu, a nine-thousand-year-old site near the Yellow River in north-central China. The story of its discovery—and recreation with Dogfish Head Brewery—is fascinating, but the explanation of the role of alcohol in neolithic Chinese life makes it required reading.

From Derek's list on Chinese alcohol and drinking culture.

If you love Uncorking the Past...

Ad

Book cover of Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor's Unlikely Adventure

Tap Dancing on Everest by Mimi Zieman,

Tap Dancing on Everest, part coming-of-age memoir, part true-survival adventure story, is about a young medical student, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor raised in N.Y.C., who battles self-doubt to serve as the doctor—and only woman—on a remote Everest climb in Tibet.

The team attempts a new route up…

Want books like Uncorking the Past?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 34 books like Uncorking the Past.

Browse books like Uncorking the Past

Book cover of Shark's Fin and Sichuan Pepper: A Sweet-Sour Memoir of Eating in China
Book cover of The Banished Immortal: A Life of Li Bai (Li Po)
Book cover of Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 6, Biology and Biological Technology, Part 5, Fermentations and Food Science

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,993

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like Uncorking the Past, you might also like...

Book cover of An Italian Feast: The Celebrated Provincial Cuisines of Italy from Como to Palermo

An Italian Feast by Clifford A. Wright,

An Italian Feast celebrates the cuisines of the Italian provinces from Como to Palermo. A culinary guide and book of ready reference meant to be the most comprehensive book on Italian cuisine, and it includes over 800 recipes from the 109 provinces of Italy's 20 regions.

An Italian Feast is…

Book cover of Eclipse Chasers

Eclipse Chasers by Nick Lomb,

Forthcoming eclipses coming up in Australia include that of 22 July 2028, which will cross Australia from the Northern Territory to Sydney, home of the internationally famous sights of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Eclipse Chasers will act as a guidebook for both locals and international visitors, giving…

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in the history of alcoholic drinks, drinking, and alcohol in China?

Drinking 16 books