Reading this book is like inviting an evil angel to sit on your shoulder. You think "I shouldn't like this" but you can't help yourself.

Here's Kingsley Amis being Kingsley Amis. Bibulous, bilious, and quite funny. His essays display an amazing knowledge of drink -- and not a purely academic knowledge. He also shows a great deal of self knowledge; Amis knows his own charms, and his flaws, and makes the best of both sides of his character.

Read this: you'll want a drink, or a better one. ( )

Kinglsey Amis. Alcohol. What more is there to say? ( )

In addition to his mastery of language, Kingsley Amis was apparently a master of spirits. I enjoyed this book not so much for that topic itself as his commentary about how we interact with it. This books includes a collection of a series of columns he wrote, plus several essay on such things as wine, beer, whisky, and pubs. He had the historical and cultural depth to provide a deeper assessment than most people could. ( )

Amis knew alot about drinking and his series of humorous articles serves up his collective wit and wisdom on the subject. Ultimately, however, Amis could not handle his drink. He did not care much for wine and that prejudice shines through. This book came close to being charming, but failed somehow. ( )