Kingsley Amis was one of the great masters of comic prose, and no subject was dearer to him than the art and practice of imbibing. This new volume brings together the best of his three out-of-print works on the subject: Kingsley Amis in Drink, Everyday Drinking and How's Your Glass? In one handsome package, the book covers a full shelf of the master's riotous and erudite thoughts on the drinking arts: Along with a series of well-tested recipes (including a cocktail called the Lucky Jim) are Amis's musings on The Hangover, The Boozing Man's Diet, The Mean Sod's Guide, and (presumably as a matter of speculation) How Not to Get Drunk - all leavened with fun quizzes on the making and drinking of alcohol all over the world. Mixing practical know-how and hilarious opinionation, this is a delightful cocktail of wry humour and distilled knowledge, served by one of our great gimlet wits.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: The Perfect Companion Comment: A collection of essays that entertain, enlighten, and enhance the enjoyment of imbibing. There are some real hits here, especially Amis' advice on how not to get drunk. The reflections about wine are not at first very clear to American readers, since our appellations are different from those in Amis' native Britain, but once you get into the book, it becomes clearer. An included glossary, placed at the front, proves helpful here.
The quiz section is tiresome, and kind of a waste of space, but if you take time to mine the answers, you can learn a lot of alcoholic trivia. That alone will be useful when you're playing the "Potent Potables" category on Jeopardy! Customer Rating: Summary: Drinking as an Englishman Should Comment: I was delighted with Amis's book on drink,the effects of drink and the types of drink;his underdstudied wit combined with practical alchohol knowledge made for an enjoyable and useful read. Would highly recommend. Customer Rating: Summary: Back in print at last! Comment: It's great to see Amis's finest work, _On Drink_, back in print at last. I had a second-hand copy but it was worth buying this to get the other two books included in the volume. The volume is attractively printed and bound and unabridged, and is a great gift too.
My only (minor) complaint is that the Amis's own texts (as opposed to the additional front matter) have been edited according to American punctuation conventions. This work is literary enough that the author's details should have been unaltered.
Customer Rating: Summary: A Plethra of Information Comment: This "everything you wanted to know about" style book on booze is a wonderful addition to anyone's bookcase. Everyday Drinking contains all of the information on alcohol that you could ever desire to know...and delivered through the side splitting rapier's wit of Kingsley Amis. A real treat! Customer Rating: Summary: Cheerio to All the Boozemen in the World! Comment: First, I have never laughed so hard. This book is so funny. Amis has a turn-of-phrase that is incredible. It is also filled with arcana and nuance on the world of booze. I may even try some of his recipes. I truly enjoy the "different" read and books not boring. This is definitely in that category. You don't have to be a drunk to enjoy this book on "drink" and all the social niceties associated with it.
