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Drunks: An American History

by Christopher M. Finan
Beacon. Jun. 2017. 344p. notes. ISBN 9780807001790. $29.95; ebk. ISBN 9780807001806. HIST
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Finan (director, American Booksellers for Free Expression; From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act) writes a traditional narrative history of alcoholism in America over the last three centuries, providing well-researched and dense windows into selected stories of how alcoholics have been perceived by both society and the medical community over time. Particularly interesting aspects include his close attention to how alcoholics viewed and interacted with one another throughout history. Even though his chapter-by-chapter transitions are somewhat lacking and the title could be more informational, Finan synthesizes his research well into a comprehensive examination, building upon works such as Sarah Tracy's Alcoholism in America and Susan Cheever's Drinking in America.
VERDICT 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.
Reviewed by Matt Gallagher, Univ. of the Sciences, Philadelphia , Jul 07, 2017
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