Uncommon Grounds

"With wit and humor, Pendergrast has served up a rich blend of anecdote, character study, market analysis, and social history....Everything you ought to know about coffee is here, even how to make it."—New York Times

"A focused and juicy history of our last legal and socially acceptable drug."—Wall Street Journal

"Pendergrast's account satisfies because of its thoroughness....Pendergrast unearths coffee-based trade wars, health reports, and café cultures, bringing to light amusing treasures along the way."—Mother Jones

"Ask anyone in the coffee world and they will cite this book as a favorite...[I]t gives a comprehensive understanding to the history and complexities of your favorite drink."—The Kitchn

"Pendergrast...has produced a splendid tale, setting out all one could hope to know about coffee."—Scientific American

"Pendergrast's broad vision, meticulous research, and colloquial delivery combine aromatically."—Publishers Weekly

"Uncommon Grounds is not only a good read but a vital one."—Washington Monthly

"An exhaustive, admirably ambitious examination of coffee's global impact, from its roots in 15th-century Ethiopia to its critical role in shaping the nations of Central and Latin America....Should be read by anyone curious about what goes into their daily cup of Java"—Kirkus

"Pendergrast's sprightly, yet thoroughly scholarly, history of America's favorite hot beverage packs the pleasurable punch of a double espresso."—Booklist