Moonshiners and Prohibitionists

"tewart uses the alcohol debate in southern Appalachia to add fresh insights into the understanding of southern history and expand the breadth of alcohol studies research.—Choice

Stewart offers readers a unique perspective on the consequences of Appalachia's political, economic, and social transformation during the 19th century and its impact on the communities and residents of western North Carolina.—Appalachian Journal

Though many historians have emphasized the role that outsiders played in developing popular Appalachian stereotypes, Stewart reveals that early anti-liquor crusaders in the region's towns contributed their share as well.—West Virginia History

Stewart tracks important shifts in popular sentiment, politics, and laws about making and drinking alcohol from the early 1800s to the early 1900s.—Now and Then

The author contends that distillers played a vital economic role in the isolated mountain communities. It was this geographical isolation that made moonshining profitable. . .Stewart does a fine job of telling his story.—The North Carolina Historical Review

This insightful book is certain to serve as a model for future studies on the antiliquor movement.—The Journal of American History

A fresh and insightful study that makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the Appalachian South, the antebellum and post-bellum temperance movements, and the wider South. This fascinating work will certainly generate lively discussions.—Journal of East Tennessee History

In this masterly study Bruce E. Stewart explains a facet of the antiliquor crusade that scholars have ignored, namely, the changing perception people had of alcohol distillers: from manufacturers of a legitimate product to impediments to economic and social progress.—Journal of American History

Sheds light on a region and a topic that have been egregiously under-examined. Regional studies such as his offer a more nuanced understanding of the historical liquor question in modern America.—American Historical Review

Perhaps the greatest achievement of Moonshiners and Prohibitionists is that it wrestles with the topic of moonshine as a serious academic subject.—Gastronomica

Moonshiners and Prohibitionists is a much-needed contribution to our understanding of the complex social, economic, religious, and cultural issues underlying the prohibition impulse that swept the South between 1880 and 1920.—Journal of Southern History

"What Moonshiners and Prohibitionists does most effectively is provide solid historical context for where we are today when it comes to the politics of alcohol in our communities. It's a little served area in historical research, and it's definitely worth a read for anyone interested in the subject matter."—Corbin News Journal