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The World of Caffine: The Science and Culture of World's Most Popular Drug by Bennett Alan Weinberg and Bonnie K. Bealer

This book was insufferable! Recently, I developed an appetite for specialty coffee and wanted to read more about coffee in general. I bought this book at my local library bag sale (if you ever get a chance, you should do it, it is a good place to buy lots of books) because I got it for cheap. When I finished my previous fiction book, I wanted to read something different (non-fiction), so I picked up this book. Boy! was I disappointed.

First, I think the authors should hire an editor to chop down their work. I think this entire book can be cut by two thirds and it makes for a nice 100 page book. There is a boat load of junk that doesn't add to the narration of the book. One of the most irritating aspects of the book are the quotations. Often, quotations are used to provide a perspective or to emphasize an emotion. The quotations in this book drag on and on without a specific goal or conveying an emotion. The writing is poor. It is not crisp. Many times, I would read 4 pages without actually understanding why was it mentioned. On an average, from the content of a page or two, most of the details are pedantic and do not add any progression. I would say, I learn't very less from this book. I can write a few more paras on the frustrating and boring aspects of the book, but I will save you the misery. If possible, do not read this book.

There are some nice aspects of the book, though. The pictures in the book invoke emotions about coffee's past. The art by Tobert Therrien jr a.k.a. Bad Bob are very captivating.

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