yilliun's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.75
First chapter is a difficult and very technical read. That’s where most of the rating points fell off for me. The rest of the book has a strong contrast to the very dry and technical writing of the first chapter. It was much more casual and easily digested information. I found the early history of coffee and its distinct evolutions in each region the most fascinating.
I mainly want to critique how the author handled the exploitation of enslaved people/ producer countries. I think the conclusion felt very flippant and unsympathetic to how large “second wave” corporations have come to exploit coffee farm workers.
I am curious if there will be any update to the book in the post COVID world where coffee drinking has become MORE hyper personalized in my opinion.
I mainly want to critique how the author handled the exploitation of enslaved people/ producer countries. I think the conclusion felt very flippant and unsympathetic to how large “second wave” corporations have come to exploit coffee farm workers.
I am curious if there will be any update to the book in the post COVID world where coffee drinking has become MORE hyper personalized in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation and Slavery
samratbasani's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely and easy to follow read. Very informative, and I like how much Morris focuses on how war and colonialism were shaped by coffee and shaped coffee in turn.
nerdy_reader_9571's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.25
I appreciated how wide ranging this author’s presentation of the history of coffee was. He started with the known origins of coffee; discussed the spread of coffee production and consumption; noted the impacts both religion and colonialism had on the spread of coffee; and went over major developments in the preparation and consumption of coffee throughout the centuries. I feel much more knowledgeable about coffee’s having read this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Colonisation
ateichel25's review
5.0
I like coffee and I like history. This had some data that I didn’t really want to learn about but it was a fast, fun read.
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