Whiskey Women by Fred Minnick

Now before anyone gets a little put-off by the title, this is a history book.  You really can't talk about American history without mentioning Prohibition and its repeal.  And while the bootleg running men of Appalachia are always what's portrayed, it was many women who actually distilled in their basements and barns while distracting law enforcement with good manners.  

I first saw this book on display at a local distillery.  Unfortunately, it was a limited print.  Amazon told me it would be back in stock soon, so I regularly checked and finally it was last week.  

This is a great book to examine women's history in America (along with Ireland and Scotland) through the lens of spirits as an extension of the kitchen and domestic responsibility then up the ladder to corporate leadership.  As I consider where to shelve this, it could find its home in History, Crime & Punishment, or Women's Studies; all topics which frequently demonstrate the intersectionality of a woman's place in our history.  I could see excerpts being used in several courses.

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W.