Includes bibliographical references (p. 499-527) and index.

[Table of contents]. The grain and the grape -- Bacchanal -- In vino veritas -- Wine, blood, salvation -- Barbarians -- Islam -- Brews for breakfast -- A new world of drinking -- Watkin's ale -- Pilgrims -- Restoration -- Rum -- Gin fever -- Progress -- Revolution -- Warra warra -- Whiskey with an e -- Romantic drinking -- Apostles of cold water -- West -- The king of San Francisco -- Good taste -- Emancipation -- Imperial preference -- La fée verte -- Hatchetation -- In the chalk trenches of champagne -- Amphibians -- Lost -- Crime and punishment -- The bottle -- Reconstruction -- Flashbacks -- Westernization -- Messages -- Singletons, wine lakes, and the Moscow express -- Fiat lux.