Binge Britain: Alcohol and the National Response By Martin Plant & Moira Plant. Oxford University Press. 2006. 208pp. £19.95 (pb). ISBN 0199299412

As the title announces, this book concerns itself largely with the pattern of drinking in Britain, past and present, and seeks to comment on the government response to problematic alcohol use in terms of policy-making, legislation and its enforcement. Its publication is timely, in so far as it follows the 2004 National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England, which outlines interventions to prevent, minimise and manage alcohol-related harm.

In 2005 the Alcohol Needs Assessment Research Project found that 23% of the population aged 16 to 64 drink hazardously or harmfully (7.1 million in England) and a further 1.1 million are dependent. Furthermore, 21% of men and 9% of women are binge drinkers. Alcohol problems are estimated to cost the taxpayer more than £20 billion per annum, and alcohol is implicated in 30 000 hospital admissions, 70% of accident and emergency attendances and 22 000 premature deaths.

Binge Britain is certainly a readable book. It provides an informative historical overview that examines factors influencing alcohol use and the social consequences of alcohol consumption. It explores the role of public attitude and influence of the alcohol industry in contributing to and maintaining the current binge style of drinking in Britain. The book also highlights the growing concerns regarding the escalating use of alcohol among British women.

Overall, I found it a useful source of historical and social information. I was disappointed that the potential physical and psychological consequences of excess alcohol consumption are not explored in more detail. I also felt that with the authors’ keenness to impress the flaws of the government's illogical choices following their National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy (such as the significant evidence against the extension of licensing hours), an objective discussion seemed to have been sacrificed. It is, perhaps, a little hopeful to expect a group of scientific experts, even with a strong evidence base, to outweigh an industry worth billions to the government.

All in all, if you are looking for a summary of Britain's obsession with alcohol over the ages, including more recent trends and political policies, Binge Britain is a worthwhile read.