Summary

In "A History of the World in 6 Glasses," Tom Standage embarks on a captivating journey through human history, not through the traditional lenses of war, politics, or economics, but through the commodities that have quenched our thirst and shaped civilizations. Standage posits that beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and cola each served as the defining drink during a pivotal historical period, from antiquity to the present day. The book intricately weaves together the histories of agriculture, philosophy, religion, medicine, technology, and commerce to demonstrate how these six beverages influenced the course of world events.

The narrative begins with beer in Mesopotamia and Egypt, where the domestication of cereal grains led to the emergence of rudimentary forms of beer. Standage illustrates how beer became central to social, religious, and economic life, with wages and rations paid in bread and beer. Transitioning to ancient Greece and Rome, the book explores the significance of wine as the lifeblood of Mediterranean civilization, facilitating seaborne trade and shaping philosophical discourse at symposia. It discusses the opposing verdicts of Christianity and Islam on wine, highlighting its role in the Eucharist versus its prohibition in Islamic regions.

Moving into the Age of Exploration, the book unveils the impact of distilled spirits, such as brandy, rum, and whiskey, made possible by advances in distillation techniques. These spirits, ideal for sea transport, became currencies in the slave trade and played a contentious role in the establishment of the United States. The Age of Reason brings coffee into focus, examining its influence on intellectual exchange and the formation of scientific societies, newspapers, and financial institutions within coffeehouses. Standage then delves into the British Empire and the pivotal role of tea, from opening lucrative trade routes to impacting British foreign policy and industrialization.

Finally, the book examines Coca-Cola and its rise as America's national drink, symbolizing consumer capitalism and globalization. Standage connects the drink's popularity to the rise of the United States as a superpower, its distribution alongside American servicemen during wars, and its eventual status as a global icon. Through this exploration, Standage highlights the interconnectedness of world cultures and civilizations, revealing how drinks have acted as catalysts for social, political, and economic change.

"A History of the World in 6 Glasses" demonstrates how the ramifications of who drank what, why, and where they acquired it involve traversing various seemingly unrelated fields. By examining the impact of these six beverages, Standage provides a fresh perspective on the forces that have shaped the modern world, inviting readers to reconsider their favorite drinks and the history contained within each sip.