Message 'n a Bottle: The 40oz Scandal

by Alfred Powell

Book by Powell, Alfred This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1888600004
• ISBN13: 9781888600001
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Renaissance Press
• Length: 173 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.

Customer Reviews

To Laugh Or Be Outraged?

First - I am a collector of what is commonly called "Breweria" - that is, all things related to beer and the brewing industry (cans, bottles, trays, ads..you get the idea). I became aware of this work through a discussion of the book in an internet forum and "had" to have it in my beer book collection. After reading the book I didn't know whether to bust out laughing or be in a state of total outrage. I am leaning, however, towards laughter. The author's analysis of the labeling and marketing of beer and malt liquor ranges from fascinating and even bordering on credible to absolutely gut-busting. For instance, he analyzes the name "Schlitz" yet makes no reference to the fact that Joseph Schlitz was a German immigrant who started a brewery in the 19th century. In another example, he would have the reader believe that Miller Brewing's "Red Dog" Beer was marketed entirely toward the African-American population. Perhaps if he had done any legit research he would have known that the beer was also marketed heavily to NASCAR fans (a group not well known for African-American representation!). These are just a few examples - don't want to spoil it for you! As with most books of this genre, it is filled with strange machinations of numbers and letters and other contrived means of establishing the author's point. If you buy any of this - you'll be outraged. But you'll more than likely be amused. If you love this type of conspiracy theory book - buy this one, you'll love it. If you collect breweria books, this will make a great (and possibly unique) addition to your collection and might even get you interested in 40's - I recently started collecting in this arena and find it fascinating myself. So head down to your local corner store, pick up a couple 40's and sit back for a great easy read (sorry Coach, they sell 40's other places than in "the hood").

in response to the review printed above...

Yes, you are correct in that -to some extent- we are able to choose what we consume. Corporations market their products to specific audiences, people who are likely to buy the product. Thats why sugared cereal commercials are aired on Saturday-mornings. Things get a bit dicey, however, when we begin to market toxic substances in this same way.

to that other guy...

For someone who claimed to be African American, I found it quite interesting that you often referred to the black communities as "their communities". You must be one of "those" african americans. You know the ones who are either too comfortable or too ignorrant to beleive that their may be some sort of systematic plan to hold the poor down. Notice I said poor, not black or "ghetto" communities, poor people. It's "those" type of blacks that aren't ready to admit that racism in this country is a strong as it ever was. It's "those" type of blacks that finger point once they get beyond arms length of the struggle that poor people go through. It's "those" types of african americans that will beleive whatever Fox news or Peter Jennings reports, but can't entertain the progressive and educated opinions brought forth by Mr. Powell. It is about economics, but it's also about who profits from these economics. Who profits? Is it you Mr. "African American"? I doubt it. The same ones are profiting today as were profitting since the 16th century. The same ones who figured out way earlier than you did that it is about economics, and the only way to sustain that economic hunger is to make the masses consumer starved. You can put fake nails, alcohol, drugs and guns in ANY community of ANY ethnicity and if there's nothing there except unemployment, poverty and a systematic blueprint for exactly that to happen, then you'll get the same results everytime. This is a class society, and for that to work someone has to be in the lower class. Last time I checked there were more non-blacks in that category than anyone else, but that gets past some of "those" african americans. They'd rather fall victim to mass media and pop culture and look at "those" people with disdain and contempt. Pay no mind to who is profiting from this blueprint of destruction, just focus on judging the victims of their genius economic plans. As long as you do that you'll never really know who is paying the ultimate price for Americas economic growth. It's the same ones that have been paying the price since 1558.

An excellent mindless rant against the spirits industry

I found this book to extremely interesting. Not only is it an excellent addition to the other conspiracy literature that is available, but it lends a new twist to the victim theories that many African Americans subscribe to. The market and people move to wherever money is made. If money is made in the black community in alcohol, drugs, fake nails, check cashing places or weapons, those are the products that will be sold. It isn't conspiracy, it's economics. What you choose to buy determines what will be sold.You and your communities are only victims if you choose to be. If you choose to buy alcohol, drugs, weapons, fake nails and use check cashing places, that is what will be sold. And, how do I know............I'm African American too.