Synopses & Reviews
A literary guide to classic mixed drinks, riffing on their place in culture, art, film, and literature. Instructions included.
For over a decade Mark Kingwell has been one of Canadas wisest and wittiest commentators on everything from political philosophy to The Simpsons. When he turns his lively mind to the gentlemanly subject of cocktails, he not only mixes the perfect drink, but also tells us where it fits into a wider literary and social world. Loosened perhaps by a few samples of his recipes, its a joy to follow this elegant writer wherever he may lead us through the spirit world. Kingwell introduces us to all the Collins siblings: Tom, whom we may already know, John, Pedro, Ivan, Mike, Jack, and even Brandy — all the while regaling us with snippets from Raymond Chandler, Walt Whitman, All About Eve, and Casablanca. Its like sitting in the citys swankiest bar with your most erudite friend and your favourite drink.
Add a dash of original art by famed Canadian illustrator Seth and a classic is born.
About the Author
Philosopher and critic
Mark Kingwell is the author of nine previous books, including the national bestsellers
Better Living (1998) and
The World We Want (2000). Currently a professor of philosophy at the University of Toronto, his scholarly work has appeared in many leading journals, including the
Journal of Philosophy,
Political Theory, and the
Harvard Design Magazine. He is also a contributing editor of
Harpers Magazine and a regular contributor to
Adbusters, the
National Post, and the
Globe and Mail. He has won many awards for his writing, including the National Magazine Award for both essays (2002) and columns (2004).
Classic Cocktails is based on his award-winning cocktail column, which appears in the mens magazine
Toro.
Seth was born in 1962 in a rural Ontario town. Seth lives in Guelph, Ontario, with five cats, a gigantic collection of vintage records, comic books, and twentieth-century Canadiana, and his very patient wife. He regularly contributes illustrations to The New Yorker and the National Post. Seths comic-book series, Palookaville, has been collected into Its a Good Life, If You Dont Weaken and Clyde Fans. He is the designer of the bestselling The Complete Peanuts.