The World of Caffeine: The Science and Culture of the World's Most Popular Drug

How much do we really know about our number one drug of choice? This book, the first natural, cultural, and artistic history of our favourite mood enhancer tells us more, by looking at how caffeine was discovered, its early uses, and the unexpected parts it has played in medicine, religion, painting, poetry, learning and love. "The World of Caffeine" is a tale of art and society containing many fascinating stories including: how Balzac's addiction to caffeine drove him to eat coffee and may have killed him; how a mini Ice Age may have helped bring coffee, tea and chocolate to popularity in Europe; and how caffeine, in its various forms, was used as cash in China, Africa, Central America and Egypt.

Table of Contents:
Dedication and Acknowledgements Table of Contents Overview: Caffeine Encounters Prologue: The Discovery of Caffeine Part I: Caffeine in History Part 2 Europe Wakes Up to Caffeine Part III: The Culture of Caffeine Part IV: The Natural History of Caffeine Caffeine and Health Epilogue: A toast to the Future Appendix A: The London Coffee House During the Commonwealth and Restoration Appendix b: Supplementary Tables Appendix C: Additional Studies of Caffeine's Physical Effects Appendix D: Methodological Pitfalls Selected Bibliography and List of References Sources Notes Index

About the Author :
Bennett Alan Weinberg is a medical and science writer. He is also chairman of his own advertising and public relations firm whose clients include several of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. Bonnie K.Bealer is a researcher and writer trained in psychology and anthropology. The authors live in Philadelphia.

Review :
"[A] marvelous new book." -- Malcolm Gladwell, The NewYorker "With a flavor reminiscent of Daniel Boorstin's TheDiscoverers, The World of Caffeine tells an intriguing history of a drug that many people seem unable to live without. The book's engaging, easy style allows readers to zip through it like a jolt of good java, or savor it slowly like a good cup of tea." -- The Washington PostBook World "The alchemists of old only dreamed of turning dross into gold, but the scientists who followed them succeeded in converting caffeine into ideas. In this new information age the conversion continues at an even faster pace, and this very useful book helps us to understand how it all happened." -- James Trager, author of The FoodChronology and The People's Chronology "This well-researched and entertaining book, The World ofCaffeine, contains a wealth of facinating cultural and historical andcdotes and scientific facts which provide a unique perspective on the world's most commonly used psychoactive drug." -- Roland R. Griffiths, PhD, a leading caffeine researcher, John Hopkins University School of Medicine "With impressive felicity, Weinberg and Bealer marshal the forces of history, chemistry, cultural anthropology, psychology, philosophy, and even a little religion to tell caffeine's complicated story." -- The ClevelandPlain Dealer "...a magnificently researched book filled with revelations about what has become, for many of us, a routine part of each day's consumption." -- The WallStreet Journal "Readers who, like Prufrock, measure out their lives in coffee spoons will appreciate the background on their drug of choice provided by science writers Weinberg and Bealer." -- Booklist "A savory and spirited cultural history of caffeine...Well- researched, briskly written, full-bodied, and flavorful." -- Kirkus Reviews "From early warnings against the evils of caffeine to curiosities about coffeehouse culture, this book holds everything we ever wanted to know -- and then some -- about the drug that helps many of us keep up with the fast pace of our lives." -- Boston Herald "[Weinberg and Bealer] make the most of their learned backgrounds to ponder all manner of facts and fictions about the bean and beverage." -- Toronto Star "This well researched book examines the myth of caffeine and gives an excellent insight into this fascinating product, its orgins and history." -- Thomas Meinl, President, The Julius Meinl Group, Vienna "[Weinberg and Bealer] remind us in their marvelous new book . . . there is no drug quite as effortlessly adaptable as caffeine, the Zelig of chemical stimulants." -- Malcolm Gladwell,The New Yorker "The text is rich with information, yet it is easy and pleasant to read." -- Peter B. Lewis,PhD, New EnglandJournal of Medicine "Weinberg and Bealer provide an in-depth scholarly work that is remarkably readable and informative. The World ofCaffeine will provide something for nearly everyone." -- T.D. DeLapp, Choice "I love coffee, I love tea, I love the book on its history... a fascinating look at caffeine in its various forms, and very effectively shows its popularity in a historic, social, and pharmacological context." -- Jock Murray, Comptes Rendus