The Alcoholic Empire: Vodka and Politics in Late Imperial Russia.
Patricia Herlihy begins her book with an attention grabbing quote from a Russian temperance priest stating that "There is nothing in the world worse than drunkenness." (1) This blunt phrase sets the tone of the book and prepares the reader for an up close and frankly detailed look at the role of alcohol in Russian history in all areas, including the economic, religious, social and political realms. Herlihy explains how all social problems and "bad things" in general were attributed to alcohol and expounds upon this by looking at how the state, military, church, doctors and the czar all tried to deal with the problem of excessive alcohol consumption. Of those who fought for prohibition and strict limits on alcohol consumption, many believed that the only way for this was through extreme change. Consequently, as vodka was one of the biggest forms of revenue for the Russian government, it was inevitable that this change would be in the form of governmental revolution. .
Throughout the book, Herlihy did a good job of showing a wide variety of different viewpoints and stances on alcohol from different social classes, areas and groups of people. This broad overview lent to a better understanding and feeling of the times and a window into the daily lives of the people of Russia. This book also fit nicely into the class's recent discussions about Nicholas II, and provides some background for events to come, most notably the outbreak of war beginning in 1914. (2) In August 1914, Nicholas II limited the sale of vodka to "first-class restaurants and clubs" and later extended the ban. (3) This one simple act helped lead to his own political downfall, as well as "increased deaths from alcohol poisoning, and, most critically, a shortage of grain for foodstuffs." (4) Although Nicholas II had a significant role in the alcohol disturbance of society, he was not the main source of discord.
