Uncommon Grounds

From Africa to Yuban, the history of the power of coffee comes to us in a fascinating audiobook guaranteed to teach us a lot about the global brew. Jonathan Marosz's deep, determined voice flows smoothly through a well-researched history, which is peppered with enough trivia to make it enlightening and memorable. However, he stumbles with the abundant Spanish words, names, and places from Central and South America, losing any opportunity for cultural authenticity. The effect of coffee on slavery, politics, war, economy, crime, and disease will convince even the most doubtful of the importance of knowing more about the addictive stimulant once advertised as "good to the last drop." J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine