Victor Hugo called it the "brandy of the gods." It is a universal symbol of high refinement and quality. Often expensive, always classy, Cognac is the gift of gifts--the best of the best--to mark a grand success. And just as remarkable as this coveted amber-hued nectar is its epic tale. More than once, this great drink faced certain doom at the hands of despotic sovereigns, soft-headed politicians, and greedy businessmen--not to mention Mother Nature--but incredible twists of fate rescued it each time and helped seal its glorious future.Cognac is the first comprehensive history of this celebrated spirit, charting its origins in the Charente wine region of southwestern France and turbulent growing pains to its present-day status as a multimillion-dollar worldwide business. Kyle Jarrard lays out a winding journey through Cognac country filled with a colorful cast of characters who had a hand, one way or another, in shaping its destiny--from Romans, Vikings, and kings and princes of England to La Rochelle traders, Dutch distillers, Catholic zealots, and even German invaders.Beginning in ancient limestone bedrock, this engaging history of Cognac sweeps through Roman times and the Dark and Middle Ages to the birth of an eau-de-vie toward the end of the sixteenth century. Jarrard then traces the drink's four-hundred-year struggle to dominate markets the world over--a challenge made all the more difficult by war-halted commerce, contraband, usurpation of the Cognac name, and business feuds fought across the Atlantic. He reveals how Cognac distillers weathered vineyard die-offs, the struggle through the world wars, and the unprecedented postwar boom. There's also the unforgettable story of Gustav Klaebisch, a German lieutenant assigned to oversee Cognac's efforts during World War II, who protected the stocks from his own thirsty armies by creating a quota system--effectively preserving the brandy's future.In addition, Jarrard takes a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Hennessy, Remy Martin, Courvoisier, Martell, Delamain, and other finely tuned companies whose decisions today will make the Cognacs of tomorrow.Capturing the mystique of the French city and region, as well as the drink itself, Cognac deftly illustrates the spirit's compelling transformation into the world's most sought-after brandy.