Prohibition: Thirteen Years That Changed America

Edward Behr is a journalist and war correspondent who wrote this very readable book. Was Prohibition an attempt by the Anglo-Saxon Protestant establishment to keep a cultural standard (p.3)? America had traditionally been "wet", and Prohibition did not come from the Bible. Was alcohol the cause of working class poverty and crime (p.4)? Poverty was created by being a wage-earner who earned less and didn't work full time. Legalization of alcohol resulted in public health problems, prohibition lead to increased crime plus public health problems. The XVIII Amendment gave the Federal government the power to control alcohol. The Volstead Act created Prohibition, a trick denounced by those who only wanted to ban liquor. The lobbyists for Prohibition set an example in passing laws that is used by Gun Prohibitionists today. Chapter 1 tells of traditional consumption of hard liquor in America (p.9). Behr suggests Prohibition became an important question because there were few other major issues (p.10). Taverns had a long history of political involvement since Colonial times. [Would banning taverns prohibit political organizing by working men?] The church and the taverns were social centers (p.11). Prohibition was tried and failed in 1735 Georgia (p.13). The famous Dr. Benjamin Rush first questioned the traditional value of alcohol (p.15). Liquor may have killed more native Americans than White Man's diseases and firearms (p.18). Temperance societies began advocating Prohibition by the 1830s (p.19). Once drinking became a sin myths were created to justify this belief. Drinking caused spontaneous combustion of the drinker (p.22)! In 1851 Maine became the first state to prohibit the sale of liquor (p.29). This was copied in other states (p.30), then quickly repealed (p.31). Prohibition was wrong to deny all rights just because a few abuse their rights. Lincoln said that Prohibition was un-American (p.33). While the war against liquor was the first women's mass movement, their leaders were mostly men (Chapter 3). [Was that like adopting a new style that was in vogue?] Famous women Prohibitionists were Frances Elizabeth Willard (p.38) and Carry Nation (p.40). Both had personal quirks. The WCTU was followed by the US Brewers Association (p.47). Women's suffrage became a political football. Prohibitionists were a mixed bag of liberals and conservatives (p.48). The Anti-Saloon League (ASL), controlled by Big Corporations, became one of the strongest lobbies in the country (p.49). The new urban changes brought increases in poverty and crime. Prohibition claimed to be the "silver bullet" that would end poverty and crime. [How can anyone be against that?] The tactics of the ASL are described (p.55). They used volunteers to support a rich businessman who supported "dry" politics to defeat a "wet", even if their candidate drank (p.56). They were able to defeat a Republican governor in the staunchly Republican state of Ohio (p.57). Scientists had evidence of the evils

Once one takes a look at the context of the information it becomes somewhat disheartening to read. People were knowingly hurting others for the sake of greed and image.What disgusted me the most was not necissarily the gangsters or crime that this era created, but more to think of the stark injustices which parallel this world to that, every waking morning.A powerful book that will make you ask just a few more questions and become just a little more informed.

A comprehensive historical account of how Prohibition came to be complete with vivid characters, noteworthy events, and corrupt politicians and public officials running wild! An effective account on the temptation of alcohol in the 18th and 19th century is used to lead up to the pre-Prohibition era. It was interesting to read that 19th century saloon keepers were often seen as the most cultured political influences in a time void of radio and television. From Carrie Nation to George Remus, whose life and times was a loose inspiration for Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby, everything is here. A very thought-provoking read whether you are a "wet" or a "dry," "Prohibition" is well written and well researched.

I found this to be a good book in two ways.First, it gave an interesting and quite accurate account of what America was like under Prohibition. For students and amateur historians seeking to learn about the Roaring 20s, this would be a good choice.Secondly, this book has relevance to our own time as well. As the author constantly notes, there are many parallels between Prohibition in the 20s and today's "War on Drugs." What I found most tragic about the campaign to outlaw alcohol in the 20s was the naivte of people in authority, thinking they could change behavior through legislation. As history shows, the 18th Amendment led not to the elimination of alcohol consumption in America, but rather to a general disrespect for law and law enforcement personnel. And the absence of most legal liquor simply resulted in a profusion of illegal liquor, which in turn enriched and encouraged the notorious "gangsters" of the era.This book has made me rethink my opinion of the "War on Drugs," and on Prohibition itself. I am not a drinker, nor do I use drugs; so I have always had an indifferent attitude toward prohibition legislation, perhaps sometimes even leaning in favor of a legal clampdown. However, after reading Mr. Behr's account of what happened to America during the 13 years of Prohibition, I now seriously doubt both the effectiveness and the wisdom of such laws.Perhaps the New York politician of the era, Fiorello La Guardia, had it right when he said, "Excessive drinking [and drug use, for that matter] can be curbed by education, not legislation."To sum up, this is a book that will not only teach you a bit of history; it will also make you think. I recommend it!

Considering the topic material covered, this was an excellent book. It was very informative and displayed much needed facts in an easy to read manner. I read this book for a history class and it gave me good insight on the early twentieth century. The book was slow to begin with but farther into it, it became more interesting covering such details as the highly influential gangsters of the time as well as the politicians, who were not so surprisingly involved in the underworld. I recommend this as a very informative book for those who have trouble finding easy-to-read material concerning American history.