15 | February | 2012 | A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea.

Title: Scotch Whisky A Liquid History
Author: Charles MacLean
Year Published: 2005 (Cassell Illustrated)
Year Purchased: 2009
Source: A dear friend.
About: The history of Scotch, covering the years 1494-1994.
Motivation: This book was a thank you gift from a close friend. My (now) husband and I love Scotch. In fact, my appreciation of and knowledge about the beverage helped him fall in love with me. Although this is the stuff of another story or ten, our mutual love of the drink has been a pretty constant thread in our relationship. Aw, romance!
Times Read: 1
Random Excerpt/Page 37: “In 1707 Scotland was one of the poorest and most backward countries in Europe. Agriculture was at the stage it had reached centuries before; manufacturing, as we understand the term, did not exist. Even the gentry lived in relatively straitened circumstances-an average gentlewoman would possess no more than three or four fine dresses throughout her lifetime.”
Happiness Scale: 9 1/2

Image via Wikipedia

Title: Haunted London
Author: Richard Jones
Year Published: 2004 (Barnes & Noble Books)
Year Purchased: 2005
Source: Barnes & Noble clearance rack
About: A photograph-rich travel book that blends traditional history with paranormal research.
Motivation: I’m a history-mad Anglophile with a penchant for off-the-beaten-path adventure.
Times Read: 1
Random Excerpt/Page 23: “A forerunner of London’s grand hotels, the Langham Hotel was built in 1864. Its Victorian splendor was host to such famous names as Mark Twain, Arnold Bennett, Napoleon III of France, and the composer Dvorak -who managed to offend the sensibilities of the management when, in an attempt to save money, he requested a double room for himself and his adult daughter.”
Happiness Scale: 9

A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea.