Rum Book

Rum: A Social and Sociable History of the Real Spirit of 1776

Published by
Jose Rafael Hoffmann

Hardcover – July 7, 2005
Ian Williams (Author)

Rum arguably shaped the modern world. It was to the eighteenth century what oil is to the present, but its significance has been diminished by a misguided sense of old-fashioned morality dating back to Prohibition. In fact, Rum shows that even the Puritans took a shot now and then. Rum, too, was one of the major engines of the American Revolution, a fact often missing from histories of the era.

Ian Williams’s book—as biting and multilayered as the drink itself—triumphantly restores rum’s rightful place in history, taking us across space and time, from the slave plantations of seventeenth-century Barbados (the undisputed birthplace of rum) through Puritan and revolutionary New England, to voodoo rites in modern Haiti, where to mix rum with Coke risks invoking the wrath of the gods. He also depicts the showdown between the Bacardi family and Fidel Castro over the control of the lucrative rights to the Havana Club label. Telling photographs are also featured in this barnstorming history of the real “Spirit of 1776.”

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Nation Books
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 7, 2005
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1560256516
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1560256519
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.25 x 8.25 inches

LINK TO BOOK
https://www.amazon.com/Rum-Social-Sociable-History-Spirit/

Jose Rafael Hoffmann

Creative Director and Concent Manager for EmpresasFH and Director of HOFFMANNdesign. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Mr. Hoffmann has been one of the most important designers for prestigious companies in South America, including Disney, Cartoon Network, Mattel among others.

Recent Posts

  • News

Industria Licorera de Caldas Redefines Sustainability in the Spirits Industry

The Colombian spirits giant, Industria Licorera de Caldas (ILC), recently became the first business in…

April 22, 2026
  • Interview Of The Week

From Cocuy to Rum: The Journey of Gabriel Jiménez, Founder of Ron Gayón

Gabriel Jiménez, CEO of Inversiones Jiménez Cordero —the parent company of Ron Gayón— has built…

April 21, 2026
  • News

Sazerac Pursues a Strategic Brown-Forman takeover for $15 Billion

The spirits industry is currently witnessing a massive consolidation play as Sazerac recently offered to…

April 20, 2026
  • News

A Visual Tribute to Trinidadian Heritage in Angostura Rum

Trinidad and Tobago’s vibrant culture and a two-century legacy inspired the new look for Angostura…

April 18, 2026
  • News

Isle of Barra Distillers Prepares for a Landmark US Debut

Scotland’s return to the World Cup stage after 27 years coincides with a major professional…

April 17, 2026
  • News

Industria Licorera de Caldas Sets a Global Standard for Sustainability

One of Colombia’s most established spirits producers recently reached a historic environmental milestone. Industria Licorera…

April 16, 2026