Pubs and Patriots – The Drink Crisis in Britain during World War One

Pubs and Patriotstells the fascinating story of the loathed-by-most Central Control Board (CCB), which was charged with controlling alcohol consumption in Britain during the first World War. With concern rising during the war that boozing at home was having a detrimental effect on the military front, politicians were faced with the possibility of imposing an alcohol prohibition. Deemed far too extreme, they opted instead to create the CCB, who would be responsible for one of the most radical and unique experiments in alcohol control ever conducted in Britain. By examining the control of a central civilian pastime during war years,Pubs and Patriots provides an unconventional but illuminating way of approaching one of the most significant events of the twentieth century.