Quotes
“A lively, engaging, and enlightening account of a major strain of the American character. We drank our way to nationhood, and some of us drank too much.” Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize recipient
“An appropriately harrowing account of booze and its discontents…A worthy treatment of recovery movements in American history, unsung heroes and all.” Kirkus Reviews
"[A] portrait of the power alcohol has on those addicted to it…Offers captivating stories in a well-researched, in-depth manner, shining a light on a topic well worth exploring.” Publishers Weekly
“Finan…provid[es] well-researched and dense windows into selected stories of how alcoholics have
been perceived by both society and the medical community over time…The vignettes Finan selected provide relevant
facts about important players associated with the history of alcoholism and how
it has been treated in the United States. An interesting read for fans of
American history.” Library Journal
“A fascinating history of the recovery movement that allowed me to consider my own sobriety in a broader context…Finan has written an outstanding book that should take its place alongside the definitive texts detailing other medical and cultural issues in American society.” Lisa Smith, author of Girl Walks out of a Bar