If you have a new or burgeoning interest in wine, this book is a first-rate method for establishing a foundational knowledge of its history.
High Point: Comprehensive explanations of the influence of the wine industry on politics, wars and events throughout history.
Low Point: A fundamental knowledge of general history–particularly European history–is required to understand the context of much of the narrative.
Author: Rod Phillips
Publication Date: 2017
Genre: History
Project Gutenberg: Not available
LibriVox: Not available
Movie/TV Adaptation: None
9000 Years of Wine: A World History is a comprehensive record of politics, wars, technology, science, climate change and other factors impacting the development of viticulture from ancient China and Egypt to today’s winemaking regions throughout the world. The knowledge from this book has been helpful in understanding a bit more about the backgrounds of the wines I enjoy. Interestingly, it has also provided context for seemingly unrelated studies in subjects such as European history.
The book does contain some minor, but interesting, inaccuracies such as including Benjamin Franklin in a list of American presidents. The errors, though, do not detract from the book’s value.
Phillips has a comfortable writing style. His explanations into the details of viticulture and its history are comprehensive, but they won’t bog you down. There is so much information, however, I found I could retain more by taking it in chunks of a chapter at a time.
If you have a new or burgeoning interest in wine, 9000 Years of Wine: A World History is a first-rate method for establishing a foundational knowledge of its history.
