Take an intimate look into the historic and contemporary worlds of absinthe. International in scope, ABSINTHE: SIP OF SEDUCTION is a visually rich journey into a mysterious world. Punctuated with color reproductions of classic and current lithographs, posters, postcards, and cartoons; antiques, glassware, bottles, and other tools, this new and thorough study explains and illustrates the history, culture, and mystique of the drink known as the Green Fairy.

Invented in the late 1700s by a French expatriate doctor living in Switzerland, absinthe was created as a digestive tonic, using the newly discovered science of spirituous distillation. In the early years, absinthe was just another regionally crafted liquor from the sleepy countryside near the Franco-Swiss border. But with the onset of the Industrial Age in the early 1800s, this was all about to change. With its preparation rituals and unique tools, absinthe drinking developed into a culture all its own.

The focus is unique; in addition to the customary glimpses of history, the authors provide insights into the controversy and effects of 'the Green Fairy' in the stories of famous connoisseurs include Vincent Van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, Ernest Hemingway, and Pablo Picasso. Consumption and enjoyment of absinthe is not just relegated to history; contemporary drinkers include Johnny Depp and Marilyn Manson. ABSINTHE: SIP OF SEDUCTION explores contemporary culture and ritual.

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