Customer Comments

When I picked up this slender volume devoted to Absinthe I was excited, not having found anything before on this subject. I did wonder, though, how someone could write 162 pages about Absinthe. It does have an interesting past, being a drink imbibed by artists and authors to free their minds. "An essential companion with lore, trivia, and classic and contemporary cocktails." From the dust jacket. The first part of the book contains an interesting introduction, moving along to Absinthe Essentials. Here is where you find considerable information about absinthe; how it is made,whether wormwood is always used, how it is bottled, and various forms of the drink. There is also a recipe for making absinthe; it makes quite a bit, so be prepared. My favorite section is a chart that lists several brands, and gives you their origin, style, background, taste, and what it is best with. I almost made an expensive mistake, as the one I was going to buy was listed as "overpowering mint and high alcohol content." Doesn't sound like a favorite to me! The balance of the book has drink recipes. This is a fun part to read, and the drinks are separated in several categories, so you can choose your favorite, such as Hemingway's Dream, Corpse Reviver, Van Gogh, or Eden's Apple. All in all, this is a very informative book about absinthe and the different types of drinks that benefit from the use of it.

I found this book fascinating, and hard to put down. The sadness of Lack's short life, the pain her family went through for so many decades, and the difficulty in talking about their beloved relative moved me to tears. The many stories of medicine's secrecy in so many areas during the mid-20th century is sad, but to put a face on this amazing story is commendable of Rebecca Skloot. Although memory is never perfect, what the family recalled was true enough, and the records clear enough, to make this a compelling read.