Just curious what people are reading out there. In particular books having to do with Coffee, Espresso, the business of coffee, history of coffee, whatever. Im currently reading Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee & How it Transformed our World by Mark Pendergrast. Good book. Lots of History & Coffee politics. I'll be done with it soon so Im looking for something else to read.

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The Professional Barista Handbook by Scott Rao.
Awesome read. We're making it part of our training in the cafe.
Pendergrast is a good start; avoid Black Gold, as its a bit of a toss.

Seconding the Scott Rao reference, adding The Espresso Quest by Insteratour for a solid sort of overview on the bean-to-the-cup view.
You for sure can not beat Uncomon Grounds, for a solid and well researched history of the bean. I cant agree with Steves more about Black Gold- I found 43 factual errors in the first few chapters, and I was not even looking hard!! To be honest, it is more of a spin for St Helena coffee- I am pretty sure the author still has a vested interest in coffee from that part of the world (Wilde, the author, is/was a coffee broker by proffession). Currently reading "The Devils Cup" by Stewart Lee Allen, its slightly less factual than Pendergrast's book, but bloody funny- enjoying it.
Im waiting on Devil's Cup to get to my branch at the library probably Wed. & I'll start reading it. It looked pretty good. I've been wanting to get The Professional Barista Handbook but the Library doesnt have it. Probably one I'll want to own anyhow so Ill keep a look out for a good price on it. I started reading a book a few years ago called The Caffeine Advantage. It was a scientific look at Caffeine & the Health benefits but I didnt get it finished. I cant find my copy anymore & the library doesnt have it either. The few chapters I read where pretty good. Im sure like everything else Health oriented, everyone has their own views 1 way or another.
"The Coffee Companion"by Jon Thorn-2nd Edition... "http://www.runningpresscooks.com............
The story of coffee and global coffee directory.....enjoy!!!!
Yes I used to have that. One reason I started this thread is to figure out what all I've lost! I loaned a stack of coffee books to a fellow professional last year & he ended up getting fired from his coffee job & I havent heard from him since (and I didnt get my books back). That was one, so was Schoemer's Coffee Techniques & a few others. I enjoyed the Coffee Companion though..great coffee table book....You know what a good idea would be...a coffee table book about coffee tables!!!
loved all the above - especially devils cup! probably won't educate but will definately entertain!!!
The Coffee House by Markman Ellis is a great book slipping social history neatly into cafes and Pour your heart into it - Howard Schultz's company biography of starbucks is a fantasticly 'field of dreams'ish insight into the growth of one much loved/hated brand!

has anyone seen/read/understood the Illy books at £45 it's a bit beyond my budget but would love to have a read. Also anyone found a history of the espresso machine? I'm so bored of different salespeople telling me their company were the original inventors of espresso!!!
I was just recently turned on to God in a Cup by Michaele Weissman,
I have yet to read it, but rumor has it, it's great.
two great coffee books. "Starbucked" Taylor Clark. (fair assessment Not bashing... of starbucks, but also great great history of todays coffee culture. ) and god in a cup. I just started it but i already love it. Also loved common grounds. Also Espresso Coffee, Second Edition:Rinantonio Viani, Andrea Illy>> I read the first edition and found it very informative. So many great books out there.
i read this just recently. the first edition. got it at the library. and he goes into the history of espresso machines in the book. loved it.

Dale Harris said:
loved all the above - especially devils cup! probably won't educate but will definately entertain!!!
The Coffee House by Markman Ellis is a great book slipping social history neatly into cafes and Pour your heart into it - Howard Schultz's company biography of starbucks is a fantasticly 'field of dreams'ish insight into the growth of one much loved/hated brand!

has anyone seen/read/understood the Illy books at £45 it's a bit beyond my budget but would love to have a read. Also anyone found a history of the espresso machine? I'm so bored of different salespeople telling me their company were the original inventors of espresso!!!
I would add Max Havalaar to the list. Although it is not a book totally about coffee, and it is not the easiest book to read, it does cover colonial life in Java as well as coffee trading and social inequities that are still relevant today. If I had read this book before coming to Indonesia, I am not sure what I would have expected when I arrived here. Actually, having read it just recently I am suprised about how much is still the same as it was "Tempoe Doeloe" (in the old days!)
it's my birthday today! my mother in law sent me 'etiquette for coffee lovers'
thought you might enjoy the first quote...
'the powers of a man's mind are directly proportioned to the quantity of coffee he drinks'
Sir James Mackintosh

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