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Philosophy for Everyone #29
Coffee - Philosophy for Everyone: Grounds for Debate
Offering philosophical insights into the popular morning brew, Coffee -- Philosophy for Everyone kick starts the day with an entertaining but critical discussion of the ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and culture of coffee.
Matt Lounsbury of pioneering business Stumptown Coffee discusses just how good coffee can be Caffeine-related chapters cover the ethics of the coffee trade, the metaphysics of coffee and the centrality of the coffee house to the public sphere Includes a foreword by Donald Schoenholt, President at Gillies Coffee Company
Matt Lounsbury of pioneering business Stumptown Coffee discusses just how good coffee can be Caffeine-related chapters cover the ethics of the coffee trade, the metaphysics of coffee and the centrality of the coffee house to the public sphere Includes a foreword by Donald Schoenholt, President at Gillies Coffee Company
- GenresPhilosophyNonfiction
264 pages, Paperback
First published February 23, 2011
16 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 2, 2012
Put two or more people around a table with a cup of coffee (or something similar) in their hands and a debate can ensue, it can range from daily events to deep philosophical matters. But how often is coffee itself the subject of a deeper discussion?
Through this book coffee is the central theme from start to finish, presented through a series of thought-provoking essays and opinions that cover the entire gamut of coffee-related matters. The first essay is the curiously-named "Coffee: Black Puddle Water or Panacea?" and that sets the tone as one goes forward.
This is not an uncritical "rah! rah!" book for coffee. That would be too simple. Criticism and scrutiny looks at issues such as coffee trade ethics, the role of the coffee house in society, the aesthetics of coffee and the place of chains such as Starbucks. One may say, truthfully with a smile on the face, that to read this book you will need a strong cup of coffee or three. It is quite hard-going and written in a thought-provoking, analytical manner and it should not be confused with a general "world of coffee culture"-style book as that will lead to disappointment.
Like many books of this genre you will either "get it" or not. But maybe that is the point also as you have to listen to a possible counter-argument and even if you concede some points and accept some viewpoints your overall position might remain constant. Or not. It is not necessary to read from cover-to-cover as each essay is an entity in its own right. This is not going to be an impulse buy or something to necessarily give to that special coffee-lover in your life, but if you take the time to examine the book with an open, curious mind it might be something that can keep you company with, of course, a good cup of something during a long journey.
You might even find a few more points for discussion.
// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //
Through this book coffee is the central theme from start to finish, presented through a series of thought-provoking essays and opinions that cover the entire gamut of coffee-related matters. The first essay is the curiously-named "Coffee: Black Puddle Water or Panacea?" and that sets the tone as one goes forward.
This is not an uncritical "rah! rah!" book for coffee. That would be too simple. Criticism and scrutiny looks at issues such as coffee trade ethics, the role of the coffee house in society, the aesthetics of coffee and the place of chains such as Starbucks. One may say, truthfully with a smile on the face, that to read this book you will need a strong cup of coffee or three. It is quite hard-going and written in a thought-provoking, analytical manner and it should not be confused with a general "world of coffee culture"-style book as that will lead to disappointment.
Like many books of this genre you will either "get it" or not. But maybe that is the point also as you have to listen to a possible counter-argument and even if you concede some points and accept some viewpoints your overall position might remain constant. Or not. It is not necessary to read from cover-to-cover as each essay is an entity in its own right. This is not going to be an impulse buy or something to necessarily give to that special coffee-lover in your life, but if you take the time to examine the book with an open, curious mind it might be something that can keep you company with, of course, a good cup of something during a long journey.
You might even find a few more points for discussion.
// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //
May 18, 2020
An okay book for readers who are neither well acquainted with (specialty) coffee nor fundamental philosophy debates. A drag for those who are, well, well-versed in both.
One writer talks about Kenya coffee being a prime example of high acidity. All I can say is that it's irresponsible to make sweeping general claim as a philosopher; it's strange and amateurish for a coffee aficionado to group Kenyan coffee varieties under one umbrella.
One writer talks about Kenya coffee being a prime example of high acidity. All I can say is that it's irresponsible to make sweeping general claim as a philosopher; it's strange and amateurish for a coffee aficionado to group Kenyan coffee varieties under one umbrella.
May 2, 2019
That is what everyone needs from time to time, a good conversation about life over a cup of coffee. The book has a few absolutely lovely entries hitting the very social background of coffee drinking.
July 31, 2020
An Interesting premise, mixing the aspects of coffee and coffee consumption with philosophical themes, which was not realized to its full potential. One needs a good strong cup of coffee to stay engaged chapter after chapter. That said, it was a very thorough discussion of coffee.
March 5, 2013
Actually I only read about one third of it and just got tired of it. I am not a fan of short stories and I guess I'm not a fan of rambling collection of essays that seem to have little in common other than some mention of coffee. The essays I did read were reasonably well written, although some were rather dry. Overall, my low rating for this book is likely more due to my preferring either a single work or a more cohesive collection (this being said by someone who is having a ball with Bill Bryson's "At Home" - go figure).
October 5, 2013
Coffee and Philosophy. Two of my favourite things in the world, of course I'm gonna love this book!
It is not quite often that the subject of a philosophical discussion itself is every other man's common morning booster. From the raw aroma to the bitter and rich taste of every cup, even the symbolisms or the social connotations of coffee and choosing it over other beverages such as tea, this book captivates all sorts of arguments regarding coffee. I find myself particularly fond with Chapter 8 (Cafe Noir) and 9 (Philosopher's Brew) the most though.
It is not quite often that the subject of a philosophical discussion itself is every other man's common morning booster. From the raw aroma to the bitter and rich taste of every cup, even the symbolisms or the social connotations of coffee and choosing it over other beverages such as tea, this book captivates all sorts of arguments regarding coffee. I find myself particularly fond with Chapter 8 (Cafe Noir) and 9 (Philosopher's Brew) the most though.
November 27, 2010
This is a book I am reading for work but it is actually quite fascinating. It covers the difference between fair trade and direct trade, an interview with a Stumptown executive, and varied impressionistic and thoughtful passages on imbibing the most consumed psychoactive and "performance enhancing drug" in the world.
May 1, 2020
Pretty nuanced and subtle in terms of elucidating the world of Coffee and it's consumption.
June 26, 2012
Read parts. Fun. Interesting information.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews