|
| Beer and Philosophy: The Unexamined Beer Isn't Worth Drinking (Epicurean Trilogy) | 
 enlarge | Creators: Michael C. Jackson, Steven D. Hales
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Category: Book
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $10.83
You Save: $9.12 (46%)
New (30) Used (9) from $10.83
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 35599
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 248
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8
ISBN: 1405154306
Dewey Decimal Number: 641.23
EAN: 9781405154307
ASIN: 1405154306
Publication Date: October 29, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW
|
| Customer Reviews:
Mixed bag February 25, 2008
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This book was, in general, a fun read, although I can't say either my knowledge of beer or knowledge of philosophy was increased much. The opening essay on phenomenology raises some interesting if decidedly non-pragmatic discussions of why we call a particular beer "good", the second essay (by Brooklyn Brewery's philosopher-brewer Garrett Oliver) investigates our cultural fascination with making imitations rather than the real things, and an essay deeper into the volume looks into the principles of pleasure and how it can be measured (i.e, do you buy the one case of really good beer or two cases of industrial lite beer?).
However, there are also a couple essays that are painfully forced, one that is outright bizarre (discussing why beer is good in the context of Intelligent Design), and another couple about which all I can say is that they are definitely printed in this book.
Good fodder for discussion with your beer geek friends or those who just like to argue academically. Others will be less amused.
 Not All It's Cracked Up to Be January 18, 2008
1 out of 13 found this review helpful
The English Campaign for Real Ale newspaper pans this book unmercifully.
Marcus Rees' review concludes: "...it had me reaching for a beer more from desperation than inspiration."
 Great Book! December 31, 2007
3 out of 8 found this review helpful
Great book if you are just getting into beer and want to know about the "real" stuff.
Never read a better beer book December 27, 2007
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
By turns funny, lively, and erudite, Beer and Philosophy is a must-read for any beer lover worth his hops. How can you not like essays like "Beer Goggles and Transcendental Idealism"? The essays address good beer vs. bad, whether beer buddies are true friends, Nietzsche's thoughts on intoxication, and other fun things. Most of the pieces are written by academic philosophers who appreciate beer, but there's also essays by well-known beer writer/brewers such as Garrett Oliver and Sam Calagione. Michael Jackson even contributed the foreword. Plato and porter, Aristotle and ale, Socrates and stout-- it's all good. Of all the beer books I have read, I think this is my favorite. Highly recommended.
|
|
|
| |
