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The Monk of Mokha

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The Monk of Mokha

Written by: Dave Eggers
Narrated by: Dion Graham
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From the bestselling author of The Circle and What Is the What, the true story of a young Yemeni-American man, raised in San Francisco, who dreams of resurrecting the ancient art of Yemeni coffee but finds himself trapped in Sana'a by civil war.

Mokhtar Alkhanshali grew up in San Francisco, one of seven siblings brought up by Yemeni immigrants in a tiny apartment. At age twenty-four, unable to pay for college, he works as a doorman, until a statue of an Arab raising a cup of coffee awakens something in him. He sets out to learn the rich history of coffee in Yemen and the complex art of tasting and identifying varietals. He travels to Yemen and visits countless farms, collecting samples, eager to bring improved cultivation methods to the countryside. And he is on the verge of success when civil war engulfs Yemen in 2015. The US Embassy closes, Saudi bombs began to rain down on the country, and Mokhtar is trapped in Yemen. Desperate to escape, he embarks on a passage that has him negotiating with dueling political factions and twice kidnapped at gunpoint. With no other options, he hires a skiff to take him, and his coffee samples, across the Red Sea. A heart-pounding true story that weaves together the history of coffee, the ongoing Yemeni civil war, and the courageous journey of a young man--a Muslim and a US citizen--following the most American of dreams. Art & Literature Authors Middle East World War Iran Dream Civil War Africa San Francisco
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So well written. Such an inspiring story. Brilliantly narrated. Thank you for this immersive experience. And thank you Mukhtar for sharing your journey with the world.

Amazing.

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A neat story, well narrated and interesting. Dave Eggers is always a winner, and Mokhtar's journey, along with the background on coffee, makes this worth your while.

great listen

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How determination and cooperation can overcome extreme prejudice in a part of the world we hear to little about.

A wonderful expression of grit.

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Gives perspective on areas where wars rage and one might think that nothing good can come of it. Would probably make s good movie. Great tool to understand where our coffee, taken for granted, originate from and the efforts taken to bring it to your cup.

touching

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Coffee lovers will enjoy curling up with this amazing story. It paints a vivid picture of the origins of coffee, shines a light on the conditions of the workers & makes u appreciate your arabica ever so much.

Great story, rich with details

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