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174 reviews for:
Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last
Wright Thompson
3.76 AVERAGE
174 reviews for:
Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last
Wright Thompson
3.76 AVERAGE
This was a book that came to me highly recommended and I really liked it until I read other books on Bourbon. It’s one side of the story and once you realize that, as a Bourbon drinker, you are a bit let down especially once you understand the history and culture of Bourbon and the community that is now changing the face of how we view and covet this liquor.
Was between 2 and 3 stars on this and went with 2, because I don't know who I would be able to recommend this too. I truly 100% do not care about Fatherhood and Southern Lifestyle or whatever. I wanted to read about the history of this whiskey and maybe 20% of the book is actually about that? I wanted more detail of the chemistry of what happens during "the trip" as this book calls aging, more detail on exactly what the crash was financially and why things got sold, etc. Instead these are only kind of touched on and instead of we have pages and pages of a dreamy/wistful family history.
It's very well written which is why I hovered at 3, and I absolutely see the sports journalism lineage here, but it's just not the topic I thought it would be.
It's very well written which is why I hovered at 3, and I absolutely see the sports journalism lineage here, but it's just not the topic I thought it would be.
informative
medium-paced
It's funny to me that this book is in any way divisive, I just don't get it. Seems to me some people expected this to be an in-depth history book on the Pappy Van Winkle brand, but it never made that claim. Instead this reads more like a memoir that comes out as if its a long term magazine profile. There are two stories here, one is the profile of Julien Van Winkle the current head of the Van Winkle bourbon family, the other is the authors own life stories and how they can tie in to both Julien and bourbon. I found it to be a delightful read filled with just enough historical storytelling to be interesting without being boring. Julien in a complex character that is clearly dealing with decades of family legacy that weigh on him. If you enjoy bourbon or even just some good storytelling, this is a good one for you.
This book will not be for everyone. It is not a business biography and while there is some history of the origins of bourbon in it it is not a true history of bourbon. If that what is what you are looking for you may want to skip this.
For me it was a love letter. It is a love letter to bourbon, my home state (and in a broader sense the south) and families. Even though it is a love letter it doesn't shy away from showing the complex nature, difficulties, and dualities of all three. None of these things are easy or perfect, then again nothing ever is. If you want a better understanding of bourbon, the place it's from and the real people surrounding it you will enjoy it.
For me it was a love letter. It is a love letter to bourbon, my home state (and in a broader sense the south) and families. Even though it is a love letter it doesn't shy away from showing the complex nature, difficulties, and dualities of all three. None of these things are easy or perfect, then again nothing ever is. If you want a better understanding of bourbon, the place it's from and the real people surrounding it you will enjoy it.
Excellent book about a legend in the bourbon community. The author incorporates his own life story, to make it relatable to anybody who reads. I learned a lot about the Van Winkle bourbon dynasty, and hope, someday, I can get my hands on a bottle to display proudly on my bourbon shelf.
Wright Thompson has a gift with words. This was a great book and captured the general spirit of my home state beautifully.
informative
fast-paced
informative
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced