Since the first Europeans settled in North America, much of American life and politics have happened around the tavern. Readers will appreciate this in-depth analysis of the tavern and its influence on American life and society throughout history. From public houses in Puritan New England to Gilded Age saloons, and on to the modern sports bar, drinking establishments have had a significant and lasting presence in American life. This book analyzes the role of drinking establishments throughout American history through an examination of their unique interior spaces. The book considers the objects that define the space and the customers who give the space relevance and provides an overview of the space throughout history, showing how the physical attributes of the tavern and its role within society have changed over time. This work will consider the tavern from the perspective of the tavern keeper as well as the patrons, and will show how drinking establishments have found a permanent home within American life.

This is a systematically arranged, annotated collection of outstanding literary works dealing with drink. It centers on some of the most enduring themes in both literary depictions of drinking and alcohol research: causes of drinking; effects of drinking; the tavern; drinking and family life; drinking and gender; and the spiritual dimension of drinking. Organized into chapters reflecting these themes, it encourages readers to think about drinking alcohol as a practice that is deeply cultural as well as biochemical. After a comprehensive introduction, the anthology provides informative headnotes to each selection, and ranges broadly across different cultures and periods, thus providing insights into patterns of similarity and difference in literature's treatment of a controversial, pervasive aspect of human experience. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1871.