Amazon.com Review
Since its discovery in an Ethiopian rainforest centuries ago, coffee has brewed up a rich and troubled history, according to Uncommon Grounds, a sweeping book by business writer Mark Pendergrast. Over the years, the beverage has fomented revolution, spurred deforestation, enriched a few while impoverishing the many, and addicted millions with its psychoactive caffeine. Coffee is now the world’s second most valuable legal commodity, behind oil, according to P (more…)
10 Comments Received
July 29th, 2009 @11:50 am
4.0 out of 5 stars
No half-caf explanations in this cup…
If you want an in depth, detailed look at the history of coffee, this is a great book to pick up. From its discovery in Africa, to how it became the second largest export in the…
July 29th, 2009 @11:50 am
2.0 out of 5 stars
a poorly written and tedious disappointment
I was excited when I ordered this book: an analysis of a major crop like coffee and how it has deeply influenced civilization is a fascinating premise.
July 29th, 2009 @11:50 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Read
Although this book is now a few years old, it is still quite excellent -we are still living in the Starbucks era (which the book completely covers), started underground by Peet’s…
July 29th, 2009 @11:50 am
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, if a little ponderous at times
Given that I wanted some background on the coffee industry, this was a great introduction. It provided details of the origins of coffee and how the major players have been formed…
July 29th, 2009 @11:50 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thanks Mr. Pendergrast!
This is such an informative and detailed history that it must take it’s place as one of the most important books on coffee.
July 29th, 2009 @11:50 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Facinating history of my favourite drink!
From the early beginnings of coffee’s discovery to the maturation of the specialty coffee revolution in 1999 it’s all here.
July 29th, 2009 @11:50 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
“Let’s have another cup of coffee . . . ”
Resting next to your mouse or keyboard – at a safe distance! – your cuppa steams aromatically. The morning coffee, whether at home or work, is the “kick-starter” of many a…
July 29th, 2009 @11:50 am
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great read for history and coffee junkies
I am an admitted Starbucks addict and History Channel junkie. Both of those traits made this book a total blast to read.
July 29th, 2009 @11:50 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
now it is 3 degrees of separation not 6
Everything we do, everything we buy has an impact far around the world. This is an excellent study of these links through an in depth review of the coffee industry.
July 29th, 2009 @11:50 am
2.0 out of 5 stars
Like Instant Coffee – Dry and Flavorless
The subtitle of this book is: The History of Coffee and How it Transformed Our World. I thought I was getting into a book about the role of coffee in the waves and trends of…
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