2018 Summer Assignment - A History of the World in 6 Glasses

Students will read A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage. The book takes an interesting look at six beverages and the role they play in driving trade and interaction between significant regions and empires. The purpose in reading the book is to gain a sense of how civilization and cultures develop and how they are affected by various forces (political, economic, religious, social, technological, etc.)

Disclaimer: The use of this book as a summer reading assignment in NO WAY represents any endorsement of the consumption or misuse of these beverages! The book is simply meant to provide an interesting view of civilizations and trade, from which we can initiate our year-long discussions of world History.

Directions:

1. Carefully read the book.   CLICK HERE for a link to a PDF file of the book.  If you’d like to get a hard copy of the book, it is available on Amazon, and most other book shops.  

Answer the guided reading questions: Students will complete all the components of the assignment in a one subject notebook or composition notebook.  This will be due the first week of school. Students will take a test based on their reading. Students are to answer the guided reading questions and take notes (hand-written only) and will be allowed to use their notes during the test. As you read, you will be completing Cornell Style Notes in your notebook. Please read the directions on the assignment as to how to take Cornell Notes, and the questions. You must HANDWRITE all notes and answers!

Video Resources -
Great credit goes to David Duez, AP World History teacher in Kingwood, Texas, for creating entertaining screencasts for each drink (Notes, too). Very impressive.
​
Please note that viewing these DOES NOT replace reading the book.

• Introduction
• Beer in Mesopotamia and Egypt (Chapters 1 & 2) 
• Wine in Greece and Rome (Chapters 3 & 4) 
• Spirits in the Age of Exploration (Chapters 5 & 6) 
• Coffee in the Age of Reason and Revolution (Chapters 7 & 8) 
• Tea in the Age of the British Empire (Chapters 9 & 10) 
• Coca-Cola during America's Century (chapters 11 & 12) 
• Water and the Future (Epilogue)