Under the Influence is a unique look at Australian history as seen through the perspective of the influence of alcohol. This well-researched book shows how the patterns for alcohol use (and abuse) can be traced back to the very early days of white settlement in Australia, taking us all the way up to the present day and our ongoing concerns about teenage drinking and alcohol-fuelled violence, as well as the role of industry players in the promotion and packaging of an increasingly dizzying array of alcoholic products. Along the way, we learn of the social, political and cultural facets of alcohol. It makes fascinating reading discovering what our attitude to alcohol says about who we are, who we care about, and what we care about.
