MOONSHINE: A Cultural History of America’s Infamous Liquor (Zenith Press, 2014)

“A shot of pop history that goes down easy and packs a punch. Recommended for home-brewing fans and cultural history buffs looking for a broad overview of the topic.” —Library Journal

“In this, her first book, journalist Jaime Joyce writes with a fizzy vigor, clearly savoring the stories of old-time moonshiners and their world.” —The Boston Globe

“In an age of craft distilling, moonshine has been reborn as an artisanal spirit. So it is only fitting that white lightning has also gotten as eloquent and learned a chronicler as Jaime Joyce. Her book, so informative and so pleasurable, deserves a toast of its own.”
—Samuel G. Freedman, author and journalist

“The history of moonshine is a tumultuous one, and it’s too often a misunderstood and underappreciated story. In Jaime Joyce’s Moonshine, the liquor finally receives its due as one of the country’s namesake spirits. Never before have the culture, production, and mystery of moonshine been so illustriously recounted. Joyce’s in-depth view of the story creates an engaging invitation for the eager spirit enthusiast.” —Dan Amatuzzi, author of A First Course in Wine and Eataly wine director

“Joyce’s Moonshine is an enlightening look at a truly American creation and its role in our history and culture. As moonshine continues to gain popularity, this book is a must-read for bartenders, mixologists, or cocktail enthusiasts looking for a primer on the subject.”
—Chris M. Walsh, Zagat

“We are what we drink, and as a nation there’s much we can learn from a deeper understanding of this mythic elixir and its power over the mind and liver alike. Joyce delivers that and more with this deeply researched paean to moonshine, a true national spirit.”
—Matt Bean, editor, Entertainment Weekly

“‘No man ever became suddenly a drunkard.’ No truer words have ever been spoken. Moonshine delights and teaches in an offhand yet highly relevant manner. The whimsical prose by author Jaime Joyce will take the sting out of moonshine. Moonshine as a metaphor is not only an intoxicant; it is the way of life, hidden from the locals and especially the revenuers!