Drunken Nixon claimed: 'I would make a great Pope'

Susan Cheever has written Drinking in America: Our Secret History, which includes tales about presidents Nixon and Washington Credit: Getty Images/Rex Features

• Martin Chilton

15 October 2015 • The Telegraph

Susan Cheever, the writer and daughter of short story master John Cheever, has written a fascinating new book called Drinking in America: Our Secret History, which is packed with anecdotes and quirky details about the US and its history with alcohol. 
Here are seven of our favourite tales from the book.