Few writers have earned Dorothy Parker's reputation for drinking as much or as hard, and fewer still have achieved her notorious skill at wisecracking wit. Kevin C. Fitzpatrick, president of the Dorothy Parker Society, gives us an intoxicating new look at the doyenne of the ripping riposte through the lens she most preferred: the bottom of a glass. A bar book for Parker enthusiasts and literary tipplers alike, Under the Table offers a unique take on Parker, the infamous Algonquin Round Table, and the Jazz Age by profiling and celebrating the drinks that she, her bitter friends, and sweetest enemies enjoyed and discussed. Each entry of this delicious compendium offers a fascinating and lively background of a period cocktail, its ingredients, and the characters associated with it. The book also features a special selection of twenty-first century speakeasy-style recipes from top mixologists from across the country. A complete recipe with detailed instructions forms the centerpiece of each entry, and topping it off are illuminating excerpts from Parker's poems, stories, and other writings that will allow you to enjoy her world from the speakeasies of New York City to the watering holes of Hollywood.
About the Author
Kevin C. Fitzpatrick is founder and president of the Dorothy Parker Society, the author of A Journey into Dorothy Parker's New York, which "Publishers Weekly "called "meticulously researched ... eye-opening," and the coeditor of The Lost Algonquin Round Table. He frequently speaks at libraries, salons, and private clubs, and in his spare time he enjoys dedicating bronze plaques for dead people. He and his family divide their time between the Upper West Side and Shelter Island, New York. Allen Katz is cofounder and vice president of the New York Distilling Company, which makes Dorothy Parker American Gin. The director of spirits education and mixology for Southern Wine & Spirits of New York, he hosts "The Cocktail Hour," a weekly program on Martha Stewart's SiriusXM channel. He and his family live in New York City.
Industry Reviews
* A Los Angeles Times Best New Book Selection* A Vogue Perfect Gift Book Pick"Slim but handy" -New York Times"A fine, fizzy new literary treatment ... An elaborately structured appreciation ... it's an offbeat and boundlessly amusing cultural safari-L. A. Weekly"A charmingly assembled, lovely little package that many people will find an essential addition to their shelves. ... Both informative and useful: it gives nice little histories of each drink and is well organized and very handsomely designed. ... If you're someone who takes your booze at all seriously, then this is a book you will enjoy tremendously." -New Haven Review"Unique ... A delightful blend of hearsay and history, musings and mixology, there's plenty to satisfy Dorothy's fans as well as lots of lore to inspire cocktail enthusiasts to become new ones. ... Readers can enjoy drinks and stories from across the country and even around the world. ... Whether you're a Dorothy Parker devotee or a craft cocktail connoisseur-or, hell, just a lush who loves spouting poetry-be sure to add this book to your must-read pile. Then, consider your holiday gift list solved." -Black Heart magazine"A swell new book ... Clever ... There's only one place to shelve this in a bookstore-right next to the cash register. The holidays are coming; this is a perfect gift book." -Travalanche
