Cultural History Of Moonshine Book | ||||||||||||
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Product Description
Nothing but clear, 100-proof American history.
Hooch. White lightning. White whiskey. Mountain dew. Moonshine goes by many names. So what is it, really? Technically speaking, "moonshine" refers to untaxed liquor made in an unlicensed still. In the United States, it’s typically corn that’s used to make the clear, unaged beverage, and it’s the mountain people of the American South who are most closely associated with the image of making and selling backwoods booze at night—by the light of the moon—to avoid detection by law enforcement.
In this book, writer Jaime Joyce explores America’s centuries-old relationship with moonshine. From the country’s early adoption of Scottish and Irish home-distilling techniques and traditions to the Whiskey Rebellion of the late 1700s to a comparison of the moonshine industry pre- and post-Prohibition and a look at modern-day craft distilling, Joyce examines the historical context that gave rise to moonshining in America and explores its continued appeal. Even more fascinating than the popularity of the liquor itself is moonshine’s widespread effect on U.S. pop culture: moonshine runners were NASCAR’s first marquee drivers; white whiskey was the unspoken star of countless Hollywood film and television productions; and numerous songs inspired by making shine have come from such musicians as Dolly Parton, Steve Earle, Metallica, Ween, and others. While we can’t condone making your own illegal liquor, reading Moonshine will give you a new perspective on the profound implications that underground moonshine making has had on life in America.
Top Reviews
Serious and informativeby Todd Thompson (4 out of 5 stars)
June 14, 2014
It's a concise, seriously-researched book on the cultural history of moonshine (white whiskey). Written well, and filled with stories from its Colonial beginnings, through prohibition, the early days of NASCAR, and today's artisan distilleries, this book is a delight to read, and is a topic proven worthy by this author for serious attention in the study of American culture.
Rum Runners-- Not Just a Function of Prohibition
by Deestarr1 (4 out of 5 stars)
April 8, 2015
We've all heard of moonshine, we've all heard of Prohbition. What really has never been publicized is that running moonshine is a practice that has existed in the liquor producing regions of the United States since the time of the American Revolution. Beginning with the Shays Rebellion of 1786 farmers who relied on the sale of Whiskey and other alcoholic beverages as a means of getting perishable crops such as, corn and rye to market began to make and illegally distribute alcohol. This occurred for several reasons including the fact that taxes on alcohol were high and bit deeply into the farmers products, as well as the fact that farmers often felt that the government should not have the right to tax or regulate items made for public consumption.
This book provides a short history of moonshine and how it has not only influenced American history through Shays Rebellion, Prohibition, and the early history of the FBI but how this has influenced culture in areas where people make produce and sell moonshine. As he says moonshine is not just alcohol in many places it is a way of life.
This is an excellent book in spite of some formatting issues that primarily have little to do with the quality of the book itself. Often things do not translate from hard copy to Kindle as well as they should through no fault of the author. This book would receive 4.5 stars if I had the ability to do so on Amazon
Buzzed by this book
by John W. Pitcock (5 out of 5 stars)
June 1, 2019
I'm not aware of any moonshiners in my direct family, but given that I'm from West Virginia with family roots coming from Kentucky and North Carolina - there's likely some moonshiners somewhere along the way. Supposedly my granddaddy took us to see an uncle that had a still, but I must have been too young to remember it.
Then I lived just outside of Atlanta for 26 years and occasionally drove thru Dawsonville on the way to the north Georgia mountains.
Anyway, this was a very fun read that everyone would enjoy. Then they can go sample some legit moonshine if they haven't already experienced it.
this is a good place to start learning
by Ava Lynn (4 out of 5 stars)
February 18, 2015
If you know much about the history of moonshine, whiskey making in general, or have ever toured one of the ever-increasing number of craft whiskey distilleries, there's probably not a lot of new information here. If, however, you're not familiar with that particular area of history, this is a good place to start learning.
It's well written, well organized, and fast paced. There is a lot of particularly good information about the role of whiskey in early American politics and economics, as well as illegal bootlegging and whiskey-running in the 20th century, during and following Prohibition. If you're interested enough to be on this page reading reviews, it's probably something you'll quite enjoy.
This is an account of those who carried the moonshine ...
by David H. Cary (3 out of 5 stars)
April 4, 2015
This is an account of those who carried the moonshine from those who made it to their customers. Mostly about outrunning revenue agents. Moonshine being defined as any spirit on which no U.S.tax was paid, A lot of these runners became favorites at NASCAR races.. Its was more about the delivery of the shine than the making of it.l
I live near Berlin PA so the story was close ...
by William K. (5 out of 5 stars)
March 19, 2015
I live near Berlin PA so the story was close to home.I am also 50 miles from Bedford Co PA where Washington started his crusade
Bill Kurtz
History in the Brewing
by Peyton (5 out of 5 stars)
February 25, 2015
This book was well researched and very informative. Strongly recommend for those who are interested in this very significant aspect of US history.
Five Stars
by rbng (5 out of 5 stars)
October 15, 2016
great insights....
Very educational
by JJ (4 out of 5 stars)
October 28, 2017
Great lead especially for an Appalachian native wanting to learn the history of drinking throughout our nations history
Really interesting!
by Jill the Cat Mom (5 out of 5 stars)
March 10, 2015
This was a very interesting book. I learned a lot and was especially interested in the history of Moonshine. A very easy read.
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