World history is a vast and complex subject, and while many authors have attempted to condense it into a single book, few have truly succeeded. The sheer scope of the last 10,000 years often results in either superficial overviews lacking depth or dense, textbook-like tomes inaccessible to the average reader.
Tom Standage’s *A History of the World in 6 Glasses* cleverly circumvents this problem. Instead of attempting a comprehensive summary, Standage focuses on a single, compelling thread: beverages. He masterfully weaves together history and the story of six key drinks, offering impressive depth and insight.
Initially, I was skeptical. I’m wary of books claiming to encapsulate human history in under 300 pages, and I don’t even consume the beverages discussed. However, I quickly realized this book isn’t merely about six drinks; it’s a history of the world told through their lens. As Standage points out, liquids are second only to air in their importance to human survival. The availability of drinking sources has profoundly shaped human progress.
*A History of the World in 6 Glasses* is divided into six sections, each dedicated to a specific beverage. The first is beer. The earliest civilizations thrived on surplus cereal production, much of which was used for brewing. Ancient beer was rich in vitamin B, allowing populations to shift their nutritional focus to cereals, facilitating the transition from hunter-gatherer to agrarian societies. Furthermore, because early beers were boiled, they were safer to drink than water, significantly improving living conditions. This allowed for specialization and the emergence of priests, administrators, scribes, and craftsmen.
Wine, the second beverage, played a crucial role in the development of Greek and Roman cultures. The Greek desire for wine spurred extensive seaborne trade, spreading their philosophy, politics, science, and literature, which continues to influence Western thought. Standage highlights how these advancements flourished at Greek drinking parties called *symposia*. The Romans, inheriting much of Greek culture, also embraced wine. Mapping wine-drinking regions reveals the extent of the Roman Empire at its peak.
After a period of relative stagnation, Western civilization was revitalized by the rediscovery of ancient knowledge preserved in the Arab world. To bypass the Arab monopoly, European monarchs launched fleets into the sea. This age of exploration was further fueled by Arab distillation techniques, giving rise to brandy, whiskey, and rum. These potent alcoholic beverages were particularly popular in the American colonies, playing a significant role in the establishment of the United States.
Coffee, the fourth beverage, became associated with intellect and industry due to its stimulating effects. Coffeehouses replaced taverns as sophisticated meeting places, fostering scientific societies, financial institutions, newspapers, and revolutionary thought, particularly in France. Standage dedicates an entire chapter to the “Coffeehouse Internet,” illustrating its profound impact on Victorian culture.
While tea originated thousands of years ago, it didn’t gain widespread popularity in the West until the mid-seventeenth century. Once established as England’s national drink, the import of tea from China and India led to unprecedented trade and industrialization. Standage explores the immense power of the British East India Company, which wielded more power than any corporation in history. This imbalance of power profoundly impacted British foreign policy and ultimately contributed to the American Revolution.
Coca-Cola, like many of the beverages discussed, was initially conceived as a medicinal drink. More than any other product, it symbolizes American consumer capitalism. Coca-Cola capitalized on challenging times, gaining popularity during the Great Depression and traveling alongside American soldiers during World War II, becoming a global phenomenon. Coca-Cola still accounts for a substantial portion of global liquid consumption.
*A History of the World in 6 Glasses* underscores that the history of mankind is, in many ways, a history of consumption. Whether drinking “liquid bread” in Mesopotamia, contemplating revolution in a Parisian coffeehouse, or staging the Boston Tea Party, beverages have profoundly shaped our identity. As Standage states, these drinks are “living reminders of bygone eras, fluid testaments to the forces that shaped the modern world.” This book is highly recommended to anyone seeking a refreshing perspective on history.