Moonshine: A Cultural History of America’s Infamous Liquor
White lightning, fire water, mountain dew – call it what you like, but moonshine holds a certain fascination for Americans. An un-aged clear alcohol, traditionally made from corn (though it can be made from anything that ferments), it is associated with Southern moonshiners running their untaxed, illegal wares under the cover of darkness. This image is partially true, but Joyce reveals a much deeper and richer history of the beverage. Tracing its presence from colonial America to the present day, she explores the topic from a variety of angles including the political, social and cultural significance moonshine has had for this country. Drawing attention to moonshine’s appearance in everything from popular songs and hit movies to its link to NASCAR, the author shows how deeply embedded in our consciousness moonshine has become. This slim book provides a surprisingly thorough investigation of moonshine’s history and significance in American culture. It’s not just for fans of the reality show Moonshiners or craft distiller enthusiasts. Full of interesting asides and fun facts, including some recipes, this book is a very satisfying read.
