For God, Country and Coca-Cola: The Unauthorized History of the Great American Soft Drink and the Company That Makes It

by Mark Pendergrast

Book Overview

Now fully updated, the classic account of how a bottle of sweetened caramel-colored soda water became synonymous with American capitalism

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0020360355
• ISBN13: 9780020360353
• Release Date: May 1994
• Publisher: Collier Books
• Length: 556 Pages
• Weight: 1.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Entertaining history of our times through a Coke bottle!

I have always had a great fascination for the things that seem to define our lives in the Western world - those great style and cultural icons of our times. And nothing seems to typify this, in a truly frivolous sense of course, more than Coca Cola.This is detailed, meticulously researched and absolutely FASCINATING study of the history of Coke - not just who first made it and how it was first presented to a thirsty public (and no, it doesn't give you the formula), but how it has grown to become something that looms large in everyone's life, even if you're not a fan. More people drink Coca Cola in the world than coffee, but at this point I must confess that I don't drink Coke myself. There are entertaining stories of how the product evolved from a syrup served at every soda bar (ever wondered about that cocaine rumour - its in the book!); how every soldier in WW2 had a coke at the front, even if they didn't have bullets and medical supplies; and how jealously Coke guard their market share and branding. There are some really funny anecdotes from the Coke/Pepsi wars, especially when the formula was tinkered with to gain competitive advantage, and my favourite is the lady who berates a poor man stocking shelves with the "new" Coke, and when the man stacking Pepsi laughs, she berates him for his product as well. This is an amusing study of our society and how this innocent fizzy brown drink has become one of the most universally recognised products of our times.I remember I was reading this one night and my husband declared that he thought the whole book was nothing but an advertisement for Coca Cola. I laughed, told him it was a very entertaining study of a product that is now literally everywhere in the world. I then asked him to get me a Coke.

Read it, and the drink will no more mean the same to you!

There is very little thought given to the role a "bottle of soda" plays in our lives. Reading the book, one can appreciate that brands like Coca-Cola, mean more than just a drink. How "brand-emotions" subconsciously carve a place inside you. The content is very well researched and has adequate information to grip the reader's attention to acquire more knowledge of, one of America's strongest and most successful brand names!The events that followed its invention - simply lead you to believe that "Coke" was BORN to be great. The first real global company I ever knew!!

Excellent Book!

This is a must read for Coca-Cola fans. Not only do you learn the history of Coca-Cola, you also get a refresher on your American History. The book reads very easily and is entertaining even. I throughly enjoyed this book. I have wanted to purchase this book since it was first out in 1994. I am glad I waited. This version includes 30 management lessons that are worth the price of this book alone. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

An outstanding historical business doccumentary

Explore the personalities, events, deals, and ordeals, that Coke has endured over the years. From the morphene adicted doctor who created the tonic to the modern day financial and brand building wizards, this book covers Coke in a way no other book does. The author, Mark Pendergrast, has many ties to Atlanta, and some of the historic figures in the book. This history combined with his research in to the company provies for a fantastic, presumably 100% factual doccumentary, chronicaling the history of one of the worlds most well nown companies.