What can a cup of coffee tell you about the world that produced it? Follow its ingredients, the people who grew them, and the places where it is consumed, and an ordinary drink becomes a story about trade, work, power, and conversation. A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage uses that approach to make large historical changes easier to understand. Beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, and Coca-Cola connect everyday habits with the rise of cities, empires, and global brands. Author: Tom Standage First published: 2005 Categories: History, Culture, Nonfiction Read time: 5 minutes 1-Sentence Summary: Six familiar drinks offer a memorable route through history, revealing how consumption, technology, commerce, and political power shape one another. Overview: A Different Way to Read World History Standage organizes his account around six beverages and the historical settings they help illuminate. The result is a selective journey rather than a complete history of every ci...