November 22, 2009
UTNE READER

Absinthe: Frequently Asked Questions and Some Attempted Answers

August 20, 2001
Al Paulson, webwatch@utne.com 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share
Absinthe: Frequently Asked Questions and Some Attempted Answers,

RELATED CONTENT

John Baggott, Web site review by Al Paulson
Could a potent emerald liquor have had something to do with the lush paintings of the French Impressionists and the imagery of the symbolist poets? Did this same elixir cause Van Gogh's ear-severing fits of madness or inspire Paul Verlaine to paint himself green and ride, naked, through the streets of Paris? Indeed, the legendary spirit absinthe has been credited for such great fits of creativity, as well as blamed for an eventual decline into dementia.John Baggott's Web site provides comprehensive and clinical information on the pharmacology and legality of 'the green fairy'. The site is well-researched and footnoted, and sheds some light on the culture and mythology surrounding this liquor that was outlawed in the United States in 1912.
--Al Paulson
Go there>>

RELATED:
Still Life with Absinthe: The tipple of choice for fin-de-siecle decadents, John Moore, Utne Reader #87
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

Add Your Comment

We’d like to know what you think. To comment, please use this form. E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments. First time registrants: You will receive an email confirming your email address. Once you confirm, your comment will be posted. Questions about our comments policy? Click here.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Utne Reader?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Pay Now & Save $6!
First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Want to gain a fresh perspective? Read stories that matter? Feel optimistic about the future? It's all here! Utne Reader offers provocative writing from diverse perspectives, insightful analysis of art and media, down-to-earth news and in-depth coverage of eye-opening issues that affect your life.

Save Even More Money By Paying NOW!

Pay now with a credit card and take advantage of our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You save an additional $6 and get 6 issues of Utne Reader for only $29.95 (USA only).

Or Bill Me Later and pay just $36 for 6 issues of Utne Reader!