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It wasn't your typical lecture on early American history. While Philadelphia in the 18th century usually brings to mind images of revolutionary fervor and horse-drawn carriages, British author Peter Thompson explained Wednesday how bars and taverns were just as important to the city's public life during the period. The talk in the University Bookstore, which preceded a book signing of Thompson's new Rum Punch Revolution, was sparsely attended by Penn students and faculty members, but those who were there said they found the talk exciting and interesting. In his discussion of the book, Thompson pointed out "the insane policies of tavern companies dominating politics." He also explained how the taverns helped bring people of different cultures and economic status together under one roof. This, he suggested, was primarily because the city enforced a price ceiling on drinks served at taverns. Since the price of drinks was kept affordable, taverns became the places where people of all backgrounds "rubbed shoulders with each other." Thompson depicted the 18th-century taverns as a social vehicle where the environment and the effects of drinking brought out people's true personalities. This was particularly effective, he said, in the case of politicians who visited the taverns -- and often found themselves being questioned and confronted by their constituents there. While people often view taverns as seedy, "I, being British, saw nothing deviant and wrong in taverns," Thompson said. Thompson, who earned his doctorate from Penn, called himself "a Philadelphia dog." In fact, the book began as his doctoral dissertation and Thompson said he believes that it will be "used by the Penn faculty in the History Department and for classes on folklore." Having previously taught at Princeton University, he is now a Sydney Mayer Lecturer in Early American History at Oxford University in England. The talk was followed by a half-hour question-and-answer session. One spectator asked if the taverns were open the days of elections, and if so, if they affected the politicians and their approach toward the people. Others asked why people convened in the taverns without regard to class distinction or status. One student was curious as to the sources Thompson used to research his book. The talk generated an overwhelmingly positive response from those who attended it. Wendy Woloson, a graduate student in American Civilization, said she found the talk so interesting that she said she would read the book. And Jessy Randall, a rare-book librarian at the Library Company of Philadelphia, had already read the book and said she found it "easy to read and quite unique."

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