Martini, Straight Up

Lowell Edmunds is a professor of classics at Rutgers University.

Contents:List of Illustrations Preface to the Revised Edition Preface to the First Edition Introduction Time Line: The Martini Decade by DecadeThe Simple Messages of the MartiniMessage One: The Martini is American-it is not European, Asian, or African Message Two: The Martini is urban and urbane-it is not rural or rustic Message Three: The Martini is a high-status, not a low-status, drink Message Four: The Martini is a man's, not a woman's, drink Message Five: The Martini is optimistic, not pessimistic Messgae Six: The Martini is the drink of adults, not of children Message Seven: The Martini belongs to the past, not the present The Simple Messages ReconsideredThe Ambiguities of the MartiniAmbiguity One: The Martini is civilized-the Martini is uncivilized Ambiguity Two: The Martini unites-the Martini separates Ambiguity Three: The Martini is classic-the Martini is individual Ambiguity Four: The Martini is sensitive-the Martini is tough Historical Background of the AmbiguitiesConclusion Theory, Method, and Bibliography Appendix: The Martini Glass Notes Index