Thirsty Work (Mitchell Beazley Drink)

Thirsty Work is quite a good book for people who know zero about wine or maybe want to learn more, however, I would say that too much time is spent on funky lingo and artistic photos of Matt Skinner posing. As an adult (28) I thought that the book was probably aimed at a younger readership of teenagers, which makes me wonder if teenagers would really bother to read this book? There are not many books aimed at wine novices so I suppose this book is good from that point of view, but I couldn't help thinking that it could have been so much better. If you like Jamie Oliver cook books then this is the perfect book to put next to them on your coffee table, if you want a bit more substance or something less iritating to read then buy something else.

trendy pictures can't save this book. (4/5 people found this helpful)

Thirsty Work is almost a decent book but there are too many niggles that stopped me enjoying it, or suggesting that others read it. Much of the book is wasted with romantic, arty colour photos and with really annoying words like "brilliant" and "juice", whereas more room could have been taken up with in-depth wine info. Reading the book gives you the feeling that Thirsty Work is just a vehicle to create a persona around Matt Skinner rather than write a genuine book. I reckon this book would suit the under 20's thinking about going to catering college and needing a very simple intro to wine.

Is this book about Matt Skinner or about wine? (10/12 people found this helpful)

Thirsty Work seems to be a genuine attempt to make wine more easily understood, and in that aim the book is not too bad. What seems odd is the "Jamie Oliver Lifestyle" way in which this book has been written.
There is too much time spent on phrases like "grapes rock" (oh dear), and arty photos of Matt wearing basball caps. I think that this book could have been more readable if it concentrated on what makes wine special, rather than cultivating Matt Skinner as a future 'star'.
I think that this book might appeal to teenagers, but is probably a bit too clumsy to excite an older audience.

Don't knock it! (4/12 people found this helpful)

I knew nothing about wine a few months ago, and used to spend ages in the off license, pre-dinner party, trying to choose between hundreds of wines I didn't know, and praying I wasn't going to make a terrible faux pas with what I eventually chose.

After reading Matt Skinner's book, things are much better, I no longer feel daunted or embarrassed when buying wine and I can even talk a little about the subject with friends.

Thirsty work is not aimed at smartypants Food and Drink lecturers or gourmets or even keen foodies, it's aimed at ordinary people who want to learn the very basics of wine without feeling patronised or excluded.

wasted opportunity (10/12 people found this helpful)

This book is OK but could have been much better. Its relaxed style make it undaunting, which is a good way to approach wine, but there are too many photos and not enough humour. This book needed to be funny. The book tries a bit too hard to fit into the Jamie oliver bracket of 'hip', however this IS a coffee table book in my opinion and not an attempt to explain wine properly. I am sure Matt Skinner will develop his talents, but this book falls short of being worth reading or re-reading.

Thirsty Work (Mitchell Beazley Drink)

Matt Skinner

Reader Reviews:

light hearted, but not for adults (6/7 people found this helpful)

trendy pictures can't save this book. (4/5 people found this helpful)

Is this book about Matt Skinner or about wine? (10/12 people found this helpful)

Don't knock it! (4/12 people found this helpful)

wasted opportunity (10/12 people found this helpful)

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