In this lavish compendium of advertisements, the complex relationship between vices and virtues is explored through the lens of drinking and smoking. The book delves into how marketers transformed these products into visual feasts, ranging from elegant to offbeat representations.

Throughout the 20th century, manufacturers utilized captivating depictions to encourage consumers to indulge in alcohol and tobacco. Each era's trends are vividly captured, showcasing brand images that became embedded in American popular culture, exemplified by icons like the Marlboro Man and Spuds MacKenzie. The book also reveals clever and subliminal advertising approaches, such as the Absolut campaign, and even explores the surprising contributions of doctors to the propaganda surrounding smoking and liquor consumption.