In How Booze Built America, Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs mixes little-known history with economic analysis, puns and many tasty beverages to explain how the American story is really the tale of one nation's love affair with alcohol. Here are a few of Rowe's favorite high points.
The uncertain economy, high unemployment and soaring gold prices are luring droves of dreamers to the gold fields. But while few prospectors will hit paydirt, the biggest beneficiaries of the new gold rush will be the merchants and servicers who support the intrepid ore-hunters.
It's not hard to see why Gold Rush: Alaska, the Discovery Channel's new series on present-day gold prospectors has hit pay dirt. More than just a part of American history, panning for gold in the field has become a reasonable option for some unemployed.
Mike Rowe's TV show Dirty Jobs puts him hip-deep into the roughest, toughest and filthiest jobs in America. But for the past two years, he's had a second occupation -- running MikeRoweWorks, a website and foundation that advocates for old-fashioned, honest blue-collar work.
Despite Discovery's defense, Palin's weak environmental record fits unnaturally with the company's pro-nature programming. Money seems to be the only thing green about the pairing, and the decision has angered many.
