After we lost Michael Jackson, fellow writer and editor Ian Buxton approached me and other beer and whisky writers to see if we could collaborate on a new book of essays, with the proceeds going to Parkinson’s research (the disease that afflicted Michael). How could we say no to such a good cause in the name of someone who inspired us so much?
A dozen of the best writers (six whisky writers, six beer writers, including yours truly) each wrote a chapter, and now the book is being printed. It will debut later this month on March 27th, Michael’s birthday. I read through a draft of the book, and the essays are diverse and entertaining. My chapter is entitled “My friend, whisky” and I describe my relationship with whisky (both good and bad) from when I was a child through to today.
Here’s the list of contributors, in no particular order:
Whisky: F. Paul Pacult, Dave Broom, Ian Buxton, Charles MacLean, Hans Offringa, John Hansell
Beer: Steve Beaumont, Julie Johnson, Roger Protz, , Gavin Smith, Conrad Seidl, Lucy Saunders
There’s also a chapter by Carolyn Smagalski, Michael’s partner at the time of his passing.
We are having books shipped to us in time for WhiskyFest Chicago on April 1st, plus we will also be selling it on the Malt Advocate website beginning in April. Price: $18.99.
I have an image of the cover, which I will post up soon. (I’m currently having problems with my blog software uploading images.) It’s pretty cool looking.
That’s great! A worthy charity and from the names up there (You, Pacult, Broom, Beaumont, Seidl, et al), it should be an excellent read. Looking forward to it.
Michael will always hold a special place in my heart, as it was his book I first picked up when I was beginning to seriously explore the single malts. It helped me learn about the distilleries and introduced me to the various tastes I might expect to experience when sampling.
If ever a man deserved credit for expanding the culture of whisky (and beer) to a greater audience, Michael would certainly be my pick.
This will be a great book dedicated to great writer! Looking forward to getting this!
Neil, I’m with you 100%!
Havard, I think it will be a great book to read with a dram (or pint) in hand.
John: going for a pint for the beer writers and a dram for the whisky writers
Good man!!
A great idea and something we should all by both as a good read and for a good cause. Looking forward to it!
As you can see, I now have the image of the cover up there. Looks pretty cool, doesn’t it?