Miller, Anistatia R. 1952–

views updated

Miller, Anistatia R. 1952–

PERSONAL: Born June 15, 1952, in Chicago, IL; daughter of Barbara B. Renard (an executive assistant); married Jared McDaniel Brown (a writer). Education: Attended University of Chicago and University of California, Berkeley. Religion: "Raised up Anglican and Jewish." Hobbies and other interests: Camping, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, fly-fishing, nature photographer, cooking.

ADDRESSES: Home and office—459 Columbus Ave., Ste. 201, New York, NY 10024. E-mail[email protected]; [email protected].

CAREER: Art director, 1972–94; freelance writer, 1995–. Cocktail creator, spirits developer, and consultant; Museum of the American Cocktail, cofounder and publisher of Mixellany Books; teacher of classes on cocktails and spirits; developer of the formula for Heavy Water Vodka.

MEMBER: American Society of Journalists and Authors.

AWARDS, HONORS: Awards for Web site designs (with husband, Jared M. Brown) include Point Survey Award, 1995, and Magellan Award, 1996; Gold Medal (with Brown), Beverage Tasting Institute, and medals from San Francisco World Spirits Competition, all 2005, for Heavy Water Vodka.

WRITINGS:

WITH HUSBAND, JARED M. BROWN

Optometry in America: A History of the Illinois College of Optometry, Illinois College of Optometry (Chicago, IL), 1996.

Frommer's Vancouver and Victoria Guide, 3rd edition, Macmillan Travel (New York, NY), 1996, 4th edition, 1998.

(With Brown and others) Frommer's Canada, 9th edition, Macmillan Travel (New York, NY), 1996, 10th edition, 1998.

Shaken Not Stirred: A Celebration of the Martini, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1997.

Speaker's Lifetime Library, revised and expanded edition, Prentice-Hall (Paramus, NJ), 1997.

(Editor) Leonard Spinrad and Thelma Spinrad, On This Day in History, Prentice Hall (Paramus, NJ), 1998.

What Logos Do and How They Do It, Rockport Publishers (Gloucester, MA), 1998.

Design Sense: Graphic Design on a Limited Budget, Rockport Publishers (Gloucester, MA), 1998.

Graphic Design Speak, Rockport Publishers (Gloucester, MA), 1999.

The Complete Astrological Handbook for the Twenty-first Century: Understanding and Applying the Wisdom of Chinese, Tibetan, Arabian, Judaic, and Western Astrology, Schocken Books (New York, NY), 1999.

Champagne Cocktails, ReganBooks (New York, NY), 1999.

More on This Day in History, Prentice Hall (Paramus, NJ), 2002.

Perfect Match: Discovering Your Soulmate, Schocken Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Logos: Making a Strong Mark, Rockport (Gloucester, MA), 2004.

Also contributor to periodicals, including Wine Spectator, Wine & Dine, Slammed, Food Arts, Diffords Guide to Drinking, Mixologist: Journal of the American Cocktail, Gotham, Hamptons, L.A. Confidential, and Adobe.

SIDELIGHTS: Anistatia R. Miller is the writer or editor of a number of books, including Shaken Not Stirred: A Celebration of the Martini, which she wrote with her husband, Jared M. Brown. The book contains 200 martini recipes, toasts, quotes, jokes, and a directory of the world's lounges. Miller and Brown also collaborated on Frommer's Vancouver and Victoria Guide, a guidebook to the two most popular destinations in Canada. The travel book reviews hotels and restaurants in all price ranges and offers sightseeing destinations for the seasoned traveler and first-time visitor as well, including dining, shopping, nightlife, and outdoor attractions. The book features photographs and two-color maps to complement the text.

Miller once told CA: "My husband, Jared M. Brown, and I write everything together no matter what the subject. We explore modern iconography: the symbolism of the martini and other cocktails; the profound influence astrology has on major civilizations, their histories, and institutions; the highly visible language of design; and the effect heroes have on culture. The interplay of what my husband and I give to a project pushes any subject we approach over the edge. The fact that neither of us settles for the 'patent answer' to any question goads us into research areas that have rarely been turned up: something our various audiences appreciate."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

ONLINE

Shaken Not Stirred: A Celebration of the Martini, http://www.martiniplace.com/ (May 28, 2006).

About this article

Miller, Anistatia R. 1952–

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article