SKU: 95090419781

Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition

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Last Call: The Rise and Fall of ProhibitionA brilliant, authoritative, and fascinating history of America's most puzzling era, the years 1920 to 1933, when the US Constitution was amended to restrict one of America's favorite pastimes: drinking alcoholic beverages. From its start, America has been awash in drink. The sailing vessel that brought John Winthrop to the shores of the New World in 1630 carried more beer than water. By the 1820s, liquor flowed so plentifully it was cheaper than tea.

A brilliant, authoritative, and fascinating history of America's most puzzling era, the years 1920 to 1933, when the US Constitution was amended to restrict one of America's favorite pastimes: drinking alcoholic beverages.

From its start, America has been awash in drink. The sailing vessel that brought John Winthrop to the shores of the New World in 1630 carried more beer than water. By the 1820s, liquor flowed so plentifully it was cheaper than tea. That Americans would ever agree to relinquish their booze was as improbable as it was astonishing.

Yet we did, and Last Call is Daniel Okrent's dazzling explanation of why we did it, what life under Prohibition was like, and how such an unprecedented degree of government interference in the private lives of Americans changed the country forever.

Writing with both wit and historical acuity, Okrent reveals how Prohibition marked a confluence of diverse forces: the growing political power of the women's suffrage movement, which allied itself with the antiliquor campaign; the fear of small-town, native-stock Protestants that they were losing control of their country to the immigrants of the large cities; the anti-German sentiment stoked by World War I; and a variety of other unlikely factors, ranging from the rise of the automobile to the advent of the income tax.

Through it all, Americans kept drinking, going to remarkably creative lengths to smuggle, sell, conceal, and convivially (and sometimes fatally) imbibe their favorite intoxicants. Last Call is peopled with vivid characters of an astonishing variety: Susan B. Anthony and Billy Sunday, William Jennings Bryan and bootlegger Sam Bronfman, Pierre S. du Pont and H. L. Mencken, Meyer Lansky and the incredible--if long-forgotten--federal official Mabel Walker Willebrandt, who throughout the twenties was the most powerful woman in the country. (Perhaps most surprising of all is Okrent's account of Joseph P. Kennedy's legendary, and long-misunderstood, role in the liquor business.)

It's a book rich with stories from nearly all parts of the country. Okrent's narrative runs through smoky Manhattan speakeasies, where relations between the sexes were changed forever; California vineyards busily producing "sacramental" wine; New England fishing communities that gave up fishing for the more lucrative rum-running business; and in Washington, the halls of Congress itself, where politicians who had voted for Prohibition drank openly and without apology.

Last Call is capacious, meticulous, and thrillingly told. It stands as the most complete history of Prohibition ever written and confirms Daniel Okrent's rank as a major American writer.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Scribner Book Company
Published: 05/31/2011
ISBN: 9780743277044
Pages: 468
Weight: 1.03lbs
Size: 8.38h x 5.50w x 1.39d

Review Citations: New York Times Book Review 07/10/2011 pg. 24
Christian Century 09/06/2011 pg. 32
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SKU: 95090419781

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zee
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★★★★★ 5
Great toys for aggressive chewers
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These are great toys they last a while they are destroyed after a while but both dogs are aggressive chewers but they last about a year and a half. And they are go to toys they have one that is a shark mouth and they love it I have bought 4. (two of them the pups lost ).
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Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2025
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Anjelica
Whiting, US
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This is a really good toy overall, especially if you have dogs that love to chew. My dogs were immediately into it—they play with it nonstop, toss it around, and stay entertained for a while, which I love. It definitely holds up better than most toys we’ve tried. The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because over time it does start to fray a bit and gets a little rough, especially with heavy chewing. It’s not completely indestructible, but it still lasts longer than a lot of other toys. Overall, still a great buy and I would recommend it if your dogs need something tough but fun!
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Worthwhile!
Size: Medium/Large, Color: Turkey Day Drumstick - Large
I have a small dog with a really strong bite! Usually have to buy toys that are meant for bigger dogs. This has lasted us for what feels like forever. It does sound very heavy when dropped! My dog loves it though! Would definitely recommend!
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Kelly
Omaha, US
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Ohhh Mr. Iguana
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Mr. Iguana is a house favorite! I got my first one of these in a barkbox and my dog loved it so much, i went on the hunt for another one. Amazon saved the day! I own about 7 of these now. They are prefect for dogs just love to chew, they hold up great! And they are heavy duty, super easy to clean! My dogs are very happy, great value for the money! Doesn't have a smell, vibrant colors! Noise level is quiet, minus my dogs chewing !
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sec682
Omaha, US
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Initially, I really liked this for my dog. She is about 8 months old and still loves to chew and destroys most toys in a few minutes. When we got this, it seemed like it would hold up for a while despite being clearly gnawed on. Unfortunately, once she focused on the softer "water" portion of the toy, that is where things went downhill with this toy. After a few short chew sessions, she was tearing chunks out of it. We had purchased a replacement since she liked the original so much, and after about 5 minutes with the replacement, she had taken enough out of the blue section that we immediately threw that one out as well. Overall while the green portion held up, the blue didn't. I can't recommend this for strong chewers.
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