Over the past decade, the popularity of cocktails has returned with gusto. Amateur and professional mixologists alike have set about recovering not just the craft of the cocktail, but also its history, philosophy, and culture. The Shaken and the Stirred features essays written by distillers, bartenders and amateur mixologists, as well as scholars, all examining the so-called 'Cocktail Revival' and cocktail culture. Why has the cocktail returned with such force? Why has the cocktail always acted as a cultural indicator of class, race, sexuality and politics in both the real and the fictional world? Why has the cocktail revival produced a host of professional organizations, blogs, and conferences devoted to examining and reviving both the drinks and habits of these earlier cultures?

Over the past decade, the popularity of cocktails has returned with gusto. Amateur and professional mixologists alike have set about recovering not just the craft of the cocktail, but also its history, philosophy, and culture. The Shaken and the Stirred features essays written by distillers, bartenders and amateur mixologists, as well as scholars, all examining the so-called 'Cocktail Revival' and cocktail culture. Why has the cocktail returned with such force? Why has the cocktail always acted as a cultural indicator of class, race, sexuality and politics in both the real and the fictional world? Why has the cocktail revival produced a host of professional organizations, blogs, and conferences devoted to examining and reviving both the drinks and habits of these earlier cultures?

Uncle Billy's Wine Guide for Novices is not intended for wine experts and others that consider themselves extremely knowledgeable about wine. This book is for the rest of us who want to learn more about the pleasures of enjoying wine and talking intelligent about it. About 8% of wine consumers consider themselves extremely knowledge about wine. Of these, about 3% consider themselves wine experts. This leaves the rest of us, about 92% who want to learn more about wine but don't want to become experts. Humor is scattered throughout the book to make your reading more enjoyable. The goal is to help you become more knowledgeable about wine and have fun doing so. And remember: "Always drink the wine you enjoy, and enjoy the wine you drink." William Allan Kritsonis, PhD, Author