Erudite, quirky, and amusing.

Sebastian Faulks

In this concise but fascinating book, Philip Howell takes the reader on a journey through medieval taverns to the craft beer bars of the 21st century – cramming in terrific trivia along the way … This book is partly a love letter and partly a plea to encourage us to get down to the local boozer.

James Carey-Douglas, The Mail on Sunday

General readers with an interest in the subject will find much to enjoy here.

Choice Reviews

What makes a pub a pub? In this entertaining - even humorous - account, historical geographer Philip Howell endeavours to answer this question, probing the many factors that define 'publand' … This is a study of reinvention - of an institution that has changed over time, yet still possesses common characteristics with its predecessors. The pub remains, despite many trials and tribulations over the centuries, very much part of the landscape.

Craig Stafford, University of Liverpool, BBC History Magazine

Succeeds comprehensively in its goal to say something interesting about what a pub is, combining history, social comment, and command of the Cambridge context to great effect.

The Critic

A perfect book to take on a journey, informative, entertaining and a pleasure to read.

Canny Bevvy