Focusing on the role of drinking and tavern culture, the book explores social and cultural dynamics in Germany from 1500 to 1700. Ann Tlusty reconstructs Augsburg's social history, revealing insights into urban identity, sociability, and power structures. She examines a range of topics, including social rituals, gender roles, and civic concerns like public health and poverty. The study argues that behaviors perceived as disorderly, such as drunkenness and dueling, reflect a society operating under its own established norms.
