Drunk: How People Wanted to Throw a Party but Built a Civilization

The author of the book, renowned cognitive psychologist Edward Slingerland, suggests looking at familiar things from a new perspective. Pleasures and enjoyments, in his opinion, should be considered from the standpoint of evolutionary necessity. Having accumulated a wealth of fascinating material on the history of alcohol, the scholar paints a comprehensive picture of the relationship between humans and intoxicating substances.
For thousands of years, people have shown wonderful ingenuity to achieve the coveted goal — to obtain a drink that can lighten the mood, facilitate communication, and, most importantly, help adapt to existence in a challenging environment and cope with all difficulties. But while alcohol in small doses is our helper and friend, in large doses it becomes a sworn enemy and destroyer. Why is this the case? Can we maximize the advantages of intoxicating substances while controlling their harsh consequences?
In a lighthearted, humorous manner, Slingerland answers these questions. He takes the reader on an exciting journey through the past, joyfully recounting drinking traditions in modern societies, and furthermore, explains how humans can make alcohol a factor of social progress in the future.