As gentlemen of the Royal Society in London sat down to their turtle dinner in 1793 they were participating in an historical event: an act simultaneously of fine dining and colonialism. Feasting and drinking, the communities in which they occurred, and larger themes of historical significance are explored here offering new insights into the past.

The pub is one of Australia's most-loved institutions. The Australian Pub takes us on an intoxicating journey through the colourful history of this Australian icon: from its colonial origins along the waterfronts and roadways used by travellers, through to the mid-twentieth century six o'clock swill, and on to the boutique bars of contemporary cosmopolitanism. The authors trace the essential role of the pub as an enduring provider of drink, food, entertainment, accommodation and illegal betting, as well as its relationship to sport, and its battles with licensing laws. The hubbub of the...