I enjoy and good non fiction book, that relates a subject that is new to me in a really well written way. There were parts of this book that felt like a really well written western or historical fiction book to me. But it was all true. I have not studied much early Mexican history so all of this was really interesting to me. I'm a big tequila drinker as well, so again this was a topic I was happy to learn about. I even bought a hardcover of this title and gave it to a friend who collects tequila.

This audiobook was full of interesting history and information. It was great to listen to while in the car. The narrator did a great job. I will be recommending this to patrons who love history!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book!

A fascinating and layered look into the life of Jose Cuervo and the dramatic rise of tequila as a cultural and commercial force. Tequila Wars blends political history, biography, and industry intrigue with remarkable detail. Genoways brings Cuervo out of the shadows and places him squarely at the intersection of revolution, diplomacy, and global trade. At times dense with historical detail, but worth the read for anyone interested in Mexican history, business, or the surprising roots of their favorite spirit.

Tequila Wars: Jose Cuervo and the Bloody Struggle for the Spirit of Mexico by Ted Genoways provides the reader with the rich and complex history of the rise of tequila as not only a powerful symbol of Mexican culture but its contribution to the development of modern Mexican Cartels.

The Narration by Andrew Joseph Perez is well done and keeps the reader engaged through this entire history. I strongly recommend this book.

Thank you HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: May 06 2025


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This book is a deep and well researched exploration of Mexico’s revolutionary era through the lens of the tequila industry, centered on José Cuervo. Ted Genoways weaves political upheaval, family legacy, cartel origins, and industrial ambition to reveal how tequila became not just a national symbol, but a powerful economic and cultural force.
Overall, the narrative appears more academic, which I truly enjoyed. The story of revolution, rivalry, and reinvention—is gripping and layered with great details about agave, cross-border trade, and the tequila barons who helped shape modern Mexico. It’s a thought-provoking blend of business history and political drama that rewards patient listeners with rich insight.
Andrew Joseph Perez delivers a strong performance, capturing the complexity of historical events with clarity and pacing. His expressive narration helps maintain interest through dense historical passages and enhances the dramatic tension where it counts.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an audio ARC! This was very insightful

Tequila Wars: José Cuervo and the Bloody Struggle for the Spirit of Mexico is a thoroughly researched look at a slice of history I knew little about. It goes far beyond the story of tequila, diving into the political and cultural history of Mexico through the lens of one of its most iconic exports.

If you’re curious about the intersection of history, culture, and industry, this is a well-told and engaging read.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ALC is an exchange for my honest review.

Well I was always a tequila (for my margarita) girl and when I saw this book I really wanted to read it.
I was surprised by the dramatic and squalid history. This book appears to be a very well researched book that delves into the History and not just how Tequila is made. I figured this was more about how it was made, plants it came from and the struggle to get it to market. But it's the whole sordid history that I had no idea about. It was so interesting and I am sure I will think of this everytime I come across Tequila.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc audiobook.

Jose Cuervo’s Tequila history during a time when Mexican government was turbulent and its effects on how it affected the brand. There was a lot of history told, from the government to the family, history buffs unite. It was well researched and captivating, I was hooked. I found this book to be extremely fascinating because I know this region well, and the Mexican Revolution is a topic I am fascinated about.

Did you know that tequila got it's name from the city of Tequila, where it was first produced? Did you know that Jose Cuervo was a real person? I didn't until I read this book! The book follows the rise of both the tequila industry and the Cuervo distillery in the 1800s. That story isn't complete without discussing Jose Cuervo's political influence and the Mexican Revolution. I particularly enjoyed learning about how Jose Cuervo brought the railroad to Tequila and his efforts to expand the export of tequila. This book brings you the history of all of it without feeling like a textbook.

Based upon the book's synopsis, I did think the book would focus more on the distillery process and be a full biography of Jose Cuervo. While the distillery process is mentioned, it is more of a story of the Tequila Valley and the Mexican Revolution.

The book is clearly the result of extensive research! If you're curious about the famous tequila brand, this is the book for you!

**Round up from 3.5 stars***

I love nonfiction and, having grown up in Texas and learning Texas History in middle school, this was a really fun refresher of that history with the added twist of the biography of Jose Cuervo. I never knew that he was a real person - I really just enjoyed the tequila!

My favorite parts of this book were the personal stories about Jose including how he married his wife and everything leading up to that. The historical aspect do get a bit dry at points but necessary for the storytelling of Jose’s life.

Overall, it was so intriguing to learn about an icon and the story of tequila through this historical lense!

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for an advanced audiobook copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I was provided an ALC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

I had no idea tequila had such a sordid history. I love a well made margarita or tequila cocktail, but I had no idea that the families that made tequila a staple in my liquor cabinet had such a political and violent history. This follows José Cuervo and the Cuervo family as they struggle to maintain ownership of their land on which the agave is grown and distilleries that produce the tequila. At the same time other families are growing and distilling tequila and trying to usurp one another as best in brand.

I expected this to be more about the growing of agave and the process of making tequila, but this is more about the history of the Tequila Valley and the Cuervo family. There is some information about the making and distillation process but that is not the focus, this is more of a biography of Cuervo's life and family and it is packed with information. Who knew tequila had so many political ties? I had no idea that José Cuervo was such an influential force not only in the tequila business but in the political sphere as well.

This was such a well researched book and provided an insight into facts and historical figures that I've heard about in the past but didn't know much about. I don't even know if I knew José Cuervo was a real person only the name of a popular brand until listening to this book. If you are interested in history, specifically Mexican history this is a really interesting tale with a little bit of history on tequila as well. I enjoy learning new things especially the history of food and drink, and this was a great and engaging non-fiction book.

Such an interesting story about the mysterious man behind the biggest name in tequila and how the company’s history was affected by the political upheaval of the Mexican Revolution! Very informative without feeling like a dry history textbook, I’d for sure recommend this for people interested in learning more about food/alcohol history or the Mexican Revolution.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!