Myth, Marula, and Elephant: An Assessment of Voluntary Ethanol Intoxication of the African Elephant (__Loxodonta africana__) Following Feeding on the Fruit of the Marula Tree (__Sclerocarya birrea__)

"Whether as wine, beer, or spirits, alcohol has had a constant and often controversial role in social life. In his innovative book on the attitudes toward and consumption of alcohol, Rod Phillips surveys a 9,000-year cultural and economic history, uncovering the tensions between alcoholic drinks as healthy staples of daily diets and as objects of social, political, and religious anxiety. In the urban centers of Europe and America, where it was seen as healthier than untreated water, alcohol gained a foothold as the drink of choice, but it has been more regulated by governmental and religious authorities more than any other commodity. As a potential source of social disruption, alcohol created volatile boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable consumption and broke through barriers of class, race, and gender. Phillips follows the ever-changing cultural meanings of these potent potables and makes the surprising argument that some societies have entered 'post-alcohol' phases. His is the first book to examine and explain the meanings and effects of alcohol in such depth, from global and long-term perspectives"--Provided by publisher In This Innovative Book On The Attitudes Toward And Consumption Of Alcohol, Rod Phillips Surveys A 9,000-year Cultural And Economic History, Uncovering The Tensions Between Alcoholic Drinks As Healthy Staples Of Daily Diets And As Objects Of Social, Political, And Religious Anxiety. In The Urban Centers Of Europe And America, Where It Was Seen As Healthier Than Untreated Water, Alcohol Gained A Foothold As The Drink Of Choice, But It Has Been More Regulated By Governmental And Religious Authorities More Than Any Other Commodity. As A Potential Source Of Social Disruption, Alcohol Created Volatile Boundaries Of Acceptable And Unacceptable Consumption And Broke Through Barriers Of Class, Race, And Gender. Phillips Follows The Ever-changing Cultural Meanings Of These Potent Potables And Makes The Surprising Argument That Some Societies Have Entered Post-alcohol Phases. Introduction -- Alcohol In Ancient Worlds -- Greece And Rome -- Religion And Alcohol -- The Middle Ages, 1000-1500 -- Early Modern Europe, 1500-1700 -- Distilled Spirits, 1500-1750 -- European Alcohol In Contact, 1500-1700 -- Europe And America, 1700-1800 -- Alcohol And The City, 1800-1900 -- The Enemies Of Alcohol, 1830-1914 -- Alcohol And Native Peoples, 1800-1930 -- The First World War, 1914-1920 -- Prohibitions, 1910-1935 -- After Prohibitions, 1930-1945 -- Alcohol In The Modern World -- Conclusion. Rod Phillips. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Whether as wine, beer, mead, or spirits, alcohol has had a constant and often controversial role in human life. This book surveys the attitudes and consumption of alcohol and examines a 9,000 year cultural and economic history, uncovering the tensions between alcoholic drinks as a nutritious and potable staple of daily diets and as an object of political and religious regulation. It argues that brewing was one of the earliest and most common forms of water purification, which further integrated alcohol into the dense population centers in Europe and the Americas. Despite this practical use, no commodity has been more regulated by governmental and religious authorities than alcohol. As a potential source of social disruption, alcohol created volatile boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable consumption, breaking through barriers of class, race, and gender. This book follows ever-changing cultural meanings of these potent potables and makes the surprising argument that fewer people are quaffing alcoholic drinks than ever before. The book examines and explains the importance and effect of alcohol's production, consumption, and meaning across the globe "In this innovative book on the attitudes toward and consumption of alcohol, Rod Phillips surveys a 9,000-year cultural and economic history, uncovering the tensions between alcoholic drinks as healthy staples of daily diets and as objects of social, political, and religious anxiety. In the urban centers of Europe and America, where it was seen as healthier than untreated water, alcohol gained a foothold as the drink of choice, but it has been regulated by governmental and religious authorities more than any other commodity. As a potential source of social disruption, alcohol created volatile boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable consumption and broke through barriers of class, race, and gender. Phillips follows the ever-changing cultural meanings of these potent potables and makes the surprising argument that some societies have entered "post-alcohol" phases."--Jacket