Phil Baker (1) (1961–)

The facts are interesting, as is Wheatley's life and writing, but this book was spoiled to a large degree by the obvious dislike of the author for its subject matter. That Wheatley was not a great writer of literature has never been denied, least of all by Wheatley himself, but to constantly refer to this time and again and to continually use snide phrasing when talking about his character just got irritating. I would have preferred a biography that was unbiased either for or against. This was very much angled against. Saved by the subject matter, not by the writing.… (meer)

This work, which details the cultural significance of absinthe during the 18th and 19th centuries, is brilliantly written and historically accurate. Phil Baker draws parallels between absinthe consumption and the literary movements in Paris and London, and does so with the grace of a poet and the historical accuracy of a scholar. I truly enjoyed reading the history of absinthe and its influence on the written word, and would recommend this book to any one interested n the history of the Green Fairy.… (meer)