Book Review: The Coke Machine

The Coke Machine is an interesting history of one of America's most iconic brands and companies. Clearly written with an anti-Coke bias, but even if half of what it accuses is true, then it seriously gives pause. There's an awful lot of smoke for there NOT to be a fire.

The specifics about coke aside, it's an interesting study of how a corporation's immune system kicks into gear to stamp out PR and/or legal problems in the most efficient way possible (which usually isn't actually FIXING the problems they are accused of).

The book covers everything from Coke's coca-leaves-cure all origins to the war against sugar to the murder of unionizing bottling workers. Through them all it shows how Coke simultaneously distances itself from the problem while also doing token moves to deflate the PR problem.

Interesting book, but a little depressing. I'll think twice before drinking their products.

The Coke Machine: The Dirty Truth Behind the World's Favorite Soft Drink