Interesting points:
(1) Beer-before-bread evidence from archaeology.
(2) In vino, veritas.
(3) Stress reduction (individual).
(4) Societal/group bonding.
Classic explanations for alcohol use is evolutionary “hangover” or “hijack”. Hangover implies there is an evolutionary advantage to the use but taken to the extreme in modern times. Hijack implies the practice triggers the evolutionary feedback mechanism by means that are not adaptive.
The book’s thesis is that it is not hangover or hijack. Alcohol (and other intoxicants) have direct evolutionary adaptive effects for humans. Culturally and physically adaptive effects.
TODO: And so on.
My impression: Book’s points are interesting, but way too much padding. He adds a lot of redundant quotes from other authors to back his points. Book could have been a lot shorter.
TODO