Rhizome

A couple weeks ago I ran across an intersting book while browsing in the history section of the bookstore. It's A History of the World in Six Glasses by Tom Standage. Standage investigates the immense influence certain beverages have played in human history. The six include beer, wine, coffee, distilled spirits, tea, and cola. These beverages have all played a subtle, but crucial role in our history. Imagine the Greek world without wine. Imagine the American Revolution without the Boston Tea Party (or distilled spirits for that matter--weren't soldiers paid in rum?). Or imagine the Enlightenment without the coffee house! Anyways, it seems like a fascinating take on history, and I wish I had the chance to read it.