A review by yilliun
Coffee: A Global History by Jonathan Morris
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