Bitter Brew: The Rise and Fall of Anheuser-Busch and America's Kings of Beer - Hardcover

Knoedelseder, William

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062009265 ISBN 13: 9780062009265

Publisher: HarperBusiness, 2012

Synopsis

Stretching across three centuries, from the start of the Civil War through two World Wars and Prohibition to today, Bitter Brew tells the astonishing story of how five generations of men-fathers, sons, and brothers - took a small, bankrupt brewery on the banks of the Mississippi and built it into an international colossus. It is the story of America's past and present-a tale of promise and fulfillment for immigrants like Adolphus Busch, determined to strike it rich; and of a modern generation who squandered that dream. It is a story of breathtaking wealth, political power, and public acclaim-and of heartbreak, scandal, tragedy, and death. In chronicling the rise and fall of the Busch family and its business, veteran journalist William Knoedelseder tells a broader story of American progress and decline over the last 150 years.

About this title

Review

"[A] thoroughly researched and thoughtfully written book." --Publishers Weekly

From the Back Cover

The engrossing, often scandalous saga of one of the wealthiest, longest-lasting, and most colorful family dynasties in the history of American commerce—a cautionary tale about prosperity, profligacy, hubris, and the blessings and dark consequences of success.

From countless bar signs, stadium scoreboards, magazine ads, TV commercials, and roadside billboards, the name Budweiser has been burned into the American consciousness as the "King of Beers." Over a span of more than a century, the company behind it, Anheuser-Busch, has attained legendary status. A jewel of the American Industrial Revolution, in the hands of its founders—the sometimes reckless and always boisterous Busch family of St. Louis, Missouri—it grew into one of the most fearsome marketing machines in modern times. In Bitter Brew, critically acclaimed journalist Knoedelseder paints a fascinating portrait of immense wealth and power accompanied by a barrelful of scandal, heartbreak, tragedy, and untimely death.

This engrossing, vivid narrative captures the Busch saga through five generations. At the same time, it weaves a broader story of American progress and decline over the past 150 years. It's a cautionary tale of prosperity, hubris, and loss.

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperBusiness
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0062009265
• ISBN 13: 9780062009265
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 416