Uncommon Grounds

From its discovery on an ancient Ethiopian hillside to its role in the age of Starbucks, coffee has dominated and molded the economies, politics and social structures of entire countries. The second most valuable legally exported commodity on earth, coffee has been banned as a creator of revolutionary sedition, vilified as a health-destroyer and praised as the boon of mankind. Its history provides a window through which to view broader themes of colonialism, the rise of mass production, modern-day marketing, and international commodity schemes. It also illustrates how an entire industry can lose focus, allowing upstart micro-roasters to reclaim quality and profits. Pendergrast enlivens his history with anecdotes, eccentric characters and period commentary that will give readers stories to share for years to come."With wit and humor, pendegrast has served up a rich blend of anecdote, character study, market analysis and social history." (New York Times Book Review)"...A focused and juicy history of our last legal and socially acceptable drug." (Wall Street Journal)