Herlihy at the New School for "Spirits of America" panel

July 9, 2012

Patricia Herlihy, professor of history emerita and adjunct professor at the Watson Institute, was a speaker on a New School panel titled "Spirits of America" on June 26. She spoke about the history of vodka, the topic of her recent book, "The Alcoholic Empire: Vodka and Politics in Late Imperial Russia." Noting the creative marketing and packaging that have been used to promote this substance "without color, odor or taste," Herlihy asked, "What is there to say about vodka? It turns out to be anything you want."