The Drinking Game

'This is real, it is raw, and it lays out the truth about booze.' - Patrick Gower

'Thought-provoking but never preachy, Espiner blends personal experience with his formidable journalism talents as he dissects the role of booze in our lives.' - Jack Tame

'Of all the books that will be published in New Zealand in 2023, it's hard to imagine there will be many more important than this one. It's a gem; thought-provoking, startling, persuasive and entertaining, exploring how the way we drink has been shaped by factors far beyond any individual's control.' - Michael Burgess, ketebooks.co.nz

Ever wondered why it always seems like a good time for a drink?

Four years ago, investigative journalist Guyon Espiner gave up drinking alcohol. He had been a heavy yet controlled drinker since his teens - abstaining three nights a week but making up for it the other four. One morning, he woke up after a big night and decided he'd had enough and quit - no AA, no support groups. Not drinking has given Guyon a new perspective on our relationship with alcohol in Aotearoa, and a lot of it is disturbing.

The Drinking Game investigates the alcohol industry: the power, politics and lobbying behind our most harmful drug. Weaving together personal experience, hard research, and interviews, it examines why New Zealand has such a heavy drinking culture, the harm it causes, and how our attitudes to alcohol are changing.

This is a sobering look into how the way you drink is shaped not only by your individual choice, but also by government, media, and big business.