Seltzertopia: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary Drink

"Of the thousands of books written about seltzer water, this is by far my favorite--especially the part that's about me." —Mel Brooks

" . . .a sparkling take on all things seltzer." —The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle

People are drinking seltzer in astonishing quantities today—WHY?

Seltzer has gone from a health tonic for the rich to a cultural sensation—HOW?

And seltzer is FUNNY? What's THAT about?

Based on more than fourteen years of original research and interviews, the extraordinary story of this ordinary drink can finally be told.

Seltzertopia tells of the modern pioneers of seltzer who wrangle antique machines to fill siphons with sparkling water, keeping alive a craft that is centuries old.

Using their stories to consider the social, cultural, and economic effects of seltzer, Seltzertopia tackles the question: What is it about this simplest of concoctions that has allowed it to make a difference to so many people, in such different ways?

In Part One, "The World According to Seltzer," readers will learn the untold history of seltzer and about the people across America who have found themselves building a path to Seltzertopia. They will discover where seltzer comes from, the science of seltzer, and how people can become SO passionate about something SO ordinary. More specifically, readers will meet John Seekings, a public relations executive in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and join him on his unexpected journey into the modern world of old-fashioned seltzer bottling.

In Part Two, "Give Me Seltzer (and the People Who Crave It)", readers will learn how, during the blizzard of 2010, John Seekings saw for the first time how much seltzer meant to his new customers. They will discover how that meaning can change over time and place, and how it is most often associated with one of four categories: health, refreshment, identity, and comedy. And it will begin with a visit far into the past, to a time when seltzer found itself pitted in a battle against another popular drink: Coca-Cola.

In Part Three, "Seltzertopia," readers will enter the effervescent age. Widely available in plastic bottles, in supermarkets and corner stores, in a wide range of flavors, seltzer now has global appeal. And readers will revisit John Seekings, now a seltzer master in an emerging generation of new seltzer professionals.

"Of the thousands of books written about seltzer water, this is by far my favorite—especially the part that's about me." —Mel Brooks

“After reading Joseph’s anecdotally detailed account, parched drinkers will have a hard time picking up a bottle of sparkling water and not being in awe of this simple beverage’s complicated history." —Booklist

“If bubbles could speak, Seltzertopia would chronicle their thoughts. The book pours readers a glass of history, practicality, and fun, using seltzer to 'unpack a broad swath of history.” —The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle

“Effervesces with love and passion for the legacy of seltzer." —Jeffrey Yoskowitz, co-author of The Gefilte Manifesto

"If you devour books about food history or are wistful when you see a classic seltzer bottle, you will enjoy the in-depth stories Barry Joseph shares with his readers about the history of seltzer."

—Tina Wasserman, author of Entree to Judaism: A Culinary Exploration of the Jewish Diaspora

"The best way to understand the extraordinary is to take a new look at the ordinary. Barry Joseph adds his long-awaited seltzer book to the company of such well-thumbed books as Salt: A World History. Seltzertopia fuses culture, history, art, and passion in a wildly fun and illuminating ride."

—James Paul Gee, author of What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Leaming and Literacy and retired Regents' professor at Arizona State University

"A funny and fascinating read… for anyone who has wondered why we love seltzer so much. Full of tales of seltzer wounds, high jinks, and the seltzer mafia, it's a delicious chapter of American food history."

—Shannon Sarna, founding editor of The Nosher, and author of Modem Jewish Baker: Challah, Babka, Bagels and More

“Weaving tales of the seltzer men who deliver bubbles to your doorstep along with a historical overview of seltzer, Joseph shares how and why seltzer inspires such passionate devotion. It's truly a labor of love, and a joy to read.”

—Drew Davidson, director and teaching professor at Entertainment Technology Center of Carnegie Mellon University