Ari Turunen has written 11 non-fiction books. His books have been translated to 11 different languages. Turunen is the most translated non-fiction writer in Finland. His books reveal in a hilarious way why we behave like we do. They offer a witty – and occasionally blunt –Nordic view to cultural and global history. One of his books Brute Force tells the story of the world class icebreakers for which Finland is renown.

To your health!

The History of Drinking Habits

Half of the world’s alcohol consumption is drunk by Europeans. Alcohol is undoubtedly the lubricator in the European cultural heritage. This book takes the audience to short expeditions into the history of intoxication: what has it meant in different eras, what rules and rituals have been involved in getting drunk, and how alcohol has appeared in different European customs. Proposing a toast, rules of hospitality, and annual festivities are part of the customary heritage that we take seriously. Important norms and behavioural rituals are twined with alcohol and getting drunk, but the reasons and original sources have often beenforgotten. The book reminds us that alcohol has been an essential element in European spiritual life. Drunkenness has inspired literature and arts; it has even been a divine element for many religions and myths. When we get acquainted with the intoxicating offerings of this table of feast, we also get to know our own roots – and Ari Turunen has an interesting and joyful grasp when he takes his readers through this human history.

3.print runs in Finnish.

Ari Turunen

Ari Turunen is a Finnish writer and science editor. He is a Licentiate of Social Sciences and his thesis was a about the politics of different world maps and world views.

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