Listen free for 30 days

  • Caffeine

  • How Caffeine Created the Modern World
  • Written by: Michael Pollan
  • Narrated by: Michael Pollan
  • Length: 2 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,059 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Caffeine cover art

Caffeine

Written by: Michael Pollan
Narrated by: Michael Pollan
Try for $0.00

$14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $11.22

Buy Now for $11.22

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

Michael Pollan, known for his best-selling nonfiction audio, including The Omnivores Dilemma and How to Change Your Mind, conceived and wrote Caffeine: How Caffeine Created the Modern World as an Audible Original. In this controversial and exciting listen, Pollan explores caffeine’s power as the most-used drug in the world - and the only one we give to children (in soda pop) as a treat.

Pollan takes us on a journey through the history of the drug, which was first discovered in a small part of East Africa and within a century became an addiction affecting most of the human species. Caffeine, it turns out, has changed the course of human history - won and lost wars, changed politics, dominated economies. What’s more, the author shows that the Industrial Revolution would have been impossible without it. The science of how the drug has evolved to addict us is no less fascinating. And caffeine has done all these things while hiding in plain sight! Percolated with Michael Pollan’s unique ability to entertain, inform, and perform, Caffeine is essential listening in a world where an estimated two billion cups of coffee are consumed every day.

©2019 Michael Pollan (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

What listeners say about Caffeine

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    655
  • 4 Stars
    278
  • 3 Stars
    98
  • 2 Stars
    17
  • 1 Stars
    11
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    654
  • 4 Stars
    176
  • 3 Stars
    44
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    5
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    524
  • 4 Stars
    232
  • 3 Stars
    99
  • 2 Stars
    15
  • 1 Stars
    9

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not what i expected

its a history on caffeine no real coverage on effects to you except we are addicts.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Eye opening

This is a very fun read, full of interesting facts that made me come to the realization that I am addicted to coffee! The author is one of my favourites and part of what’s great about this audiobook is HIM narrating it. It’s a must read! Once again, Michael Pollan takes what seems like a “mundane” topic and turns it into something captivating.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A simple diversion

What an enjoyable listen, telling a story, describing this drug we are every so reliant upon. While I learned little from this book, a majority of which can be surmised in CGP Grey's 4 minute YouTube video on the subject, I do find it uniquely addresses our relationship as a society and individuals. As well, the authors experience of giving up caffeine for several months is laudable and incredibly interesting, interspersed with the profound history of the bean/leaf. This will definitely become a frequent re-listen

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

an awesome storyteller

I read his books not even for the actual content but for the great story telling I know I will experience... and in his own voice e too

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So much fun!

Back in grad school I studied natural products chemistry and LOVE folklore around cool molecules from nature - and am also a coffee lover. It was so fun to hear the history of caffeinated beverages and reflect on the role they play in our lives. Michael Pollan is a pleasure to listen to as well

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good, but short.

Almost felt like it should have been a podcast. Still lots of good information and as always he is enjoyable to listen to and or watch.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding

A great little book! I could have listened to a much longer version, with more on each aspect of the history.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Poor research

The author did not get many of his facts correct. He presents opinions as fact and upon doing my own research I found many inconsistencies with the trueth..

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting

Found the narrator annoying some of the time but he made some interesting points. I like how he highlighted the plants intelligence.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good book, makes you realise things…

I has a good naration and story, verry cool to learn about coffee/tea’s history !

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!