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kathleenguthriewoods's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating! Written by a couple of anthropologists, this book covers the origins, the legends, the rumors, and the historical and cultural impacts of chocolate around the world. I also enjoyed learning about the different methods for producing chocolate, as well as the many ways it has been served as food and beverage. It's a well-researched academic work, but the writing is accessible, and I read late into the night to learn more (and frequently woke my husband with "You won't believe this!"). Inspires me to create my own tastings of chocolates from different regions.
kaitib's review
5.0
A great read for true chocolate lovers. I learned so much that I hope to incorporate into the chocolate tasting classes that my husband and I like to host from time to time. It reads like a textbook so keep that in mind if you plan to read it.
Between pages 150ish and about 200, I didn't find much of the information to be helpful or interesting. Otherwise, my copy has tons of earmarks and notes throughout.
I appreciate that Coe gave his wife credit as the first listed author even though she passed away before actually writing the book. He kept his promise and made her dream come true by writing it himself after studying her notes which comprised thousand of pages. She really did her research!
Between pages 150ish and about 200, I didn't find much of the information to be helpful or interesting. Otherwise, my copy has tons of earmarks and notes throughout.
I appreciate that Coe gave his wife credit as the first listed author even though she passed away before actually writing the book. He kept his promise and made her dream come true by writing it himself after studying her notes which comprised thousand of pages. She really did her research!
vsebastian's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a monster (transcribing it into braille was, anyhow). The Coes did a great job at harvesting all existing knowledge about chocolate (ancient past, recent past, and present) into one volume. I believe this is a vast reliable resource on the subject if you are looking for this kind of thing. As this book was assigned for me to transcribe, it wasn't anywhere near my first pick of books, but I must say I enjoyed the read! I learned a lot of semi-useless information albeit interesting. I really enjoyed the spanish history sections (sacrificial rituals galore), the lore and myths surrounding chocolate, and the hilarious French bits ... esp. the Marquis de Sade tidbits.
bemused_writer's review
4.0
This is an excellent book that gives a very clear idea of how chocolate has developed into it's familiar form today. I thought it was interesting that chocolate used to exclusively be a drink and that when the Spanish were first introduced to it they hated the stuff. When it did finally become popular in Europe it was unfortunately linked with the slave trade (and there are quite a few issues with it today as well). Definitely an informative book!
I love how learning about one specific food will teach you a great deal about many other things. For example, the humoral system of Europe lasted so long that chocolate had to fit into it and there were centuries of debate regarding just this. However, no once could decide if it was "hot" or "cold" and whether it qualified more as a food or drink for religious observations (if it was a food it couldn't be had during a fast).
I originally discovered this book because of a history class but I enjoyed reading it on my own for how well researched it is.
I love how learning about one specific food will teach you a great deal about many other things. For example, the humoral system of Europe lasted so long that chocolate had to fit into it and there were centuries of debate regarding just this. However, no once could decide if it was "hot" or "cold" and whether it qualified more as a food or drink for religious observations (if it was a food it couldn't be had during a fast).
I originally discovered this book because of a history class but I enjoyed reading it on my own for how well researched it is.
the_naptime_reader's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
I added this to my "to read" list back in 2010 after a "chocolate crawl" with my mom in Brussels and Bruges, sampling all the delicious chocolates. The author spent a LONG time covering the older history of chocolate production and distribution, though not a lot changed in its consumption or production during that time, and then only gave one chapter to the modern production and consumption which has much greater changes. All in all it was interesting and also boring and drawn-out.
I added this to my "to read" list back in 2010 after a "chocolate crawl" with my mom in Brussels and Bruges, sampling all the delicious chocolates. The author spent a LONG time covering the older history of chocolate production and distribution, though not a lot changed in its consumption or production during that time, and then only gave one chapter to the modern production and consumption which has much greater changes. All in all it was interesting and also boring and drawn-out.
fallchicken's review against another edition
4.0
A good read; a little less dense than [b:America's First Cuisines|833824|America's First Cuisines|Sophie D. Coe|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1178758727s/833824.jpg|819449].
jayshay's review against another edition
3.0
Like a good, if not inspiring college lecture. I found the final chapters disappointing hoping for a bit more depth in the current modern history and ill deeds in chocolate manufacture. I found the chocolate snobbery at the end pretty twee, liking my cheap Cadbury eggs as well as my Bernard Callebaut.
A utilitarian read, but it didn't waste my time.
A utilitarian read, but it didn't waste my time.