Olive or Twist

Olive or Twist? serves up a cocktail of laughter, taking in top-shelf treats (Could Chianti, Burgundy, and Rioja all come from the feet of the same Frenchman?) and low-grade liquor (Bar beer options: 'Import, Domestic, Micro, or Crap?'). And Ziegler is just at home in the ritziest bar ('Meanwhile at the Cafe de la Mort: Ernest Hemingway is ridiculing Oscar Wilde's wine spritzer while Truman Capote takes notes') as he is in the dingiest dive ('Slumlords Top o' the Tenement Bar and Grill'). Here's a sample of some of his other quips: one drinking bum to another: 'I was once in dire straits, much as you are, my friend, and then I discovered the '97 Napa Valley Cabernets'; Jesus at the 'The Last Supper': 'One more round and then we should probably order'; Boozehound to bartender: 'I'm earlier than usual this evening due to an elevated level of chatter at home.' This volume is the ideal pick-me-up, guaranteed not only to banish booze blues but, like the title character, leave the reader begging for more.