MOONSHINERS

MOONSHINER: This new book provides a fascinating collection of old photographs taken when moonshiners made alcohol for human consumption, mostly in the rural South of the United States. Moonshine, white lightning, mountain dew, hooch, and white whiskey are terms used to describe the high-proof distilled spirits, generally produced illicitly. Moonshine is typically made with corn mash as the main ingredient. The word "moonshine" is believed to derive from the term "moonrakers" used for early English smugglers and the clandestine (i.e., by the light of the moon) nature of the operations of illegal Appalachian distillers who produced and distributed whiskey. The distillation was done at night to avoid discovery. The pictures in this book make important contributions to the history of American culture.