"No matter what you're having, you can toast knowing that women had a part in its history. Saying that some types of alcohol are better, more noble, more masculine to drink than others is just outright silly... All drinks are girly drinks."
Girly Drinks by Mallory O’Meara presents the international history of humans making alcohol with a targeted focus on the contributions of women. It’s only fair, after centuries of being excluded from the narrative! As readers we travel from ancient Egypt through the Middle Ages and Renaissance and into Modern Times - crossing continents and learning about the cultural context for a wide variety of spirits. Girly Drinks reads a bit like a textbook, packed with facts, dates, and notable names - but it is far from a dry read. O’Meara pulls no punches in critiquing the patriarchy and examining how different societies have “gendered” boozy activities and drinks. For being an informative, feminist voice in what is often perceived as being a male-dominated space.
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