Starbucked by Taylor Clark
December 16th, 2008Title: Starbucked
Author: Taylor Clark
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company (2007)
I was walking through Barnes & Noble recently to see what books looked good that I could review. When I make these trips to B&N I usually first stop at the Starbucks cafe that is in the store. I don’t particularly like coffee, unless it is filled with sugar and doesn’t taste much like coffee, so I always order a White Chocolate Mocha. (I also love Jamocha shakes at Arby’s, but that has nothing to do with anything really.) So I grabbed my drink (all 580 calories of it) and set out on the store. Ironically one of the first books I came across was Starbucked: A Double Tall Tale of Caffeine, Commerce, and Culture by Taylor Clark. I love business books so I was intrigued, but Starbucks, like Wal-Mart, seems to bring out the worst in writers. I am always concerned that the book will be unfair and hate filled. Luckily, Starbucked is fantastically written and very even handed.
Clark does a fantastic job looking into the Starbucks phenomenon seeking to find out why the company has been able to open over 15,000 stores around the world and sell some pretty basic items (coffee and milk) for some pretty high prices. The simple answer is, of course, because people will buy it. But that wouldn’t make for a very good book. Using a lot of research and a lot of sources, Clark investigates the “Starbucks Experience” and the company’s grasp on the world.
The narrative is very witty, quick and keeps the reader involved all the way through. Usually in a book like this I will zone out for a section or two, but this stayed interesting the entire way through. The book is split into 2 sections. The first section basically gives the biography of Starbucks. The second section is a little more interesting as Clark discusses the many complaints people seem to have with Starbucks. One question he addresses that I always wondered about is: Does Starbucks put mom and pop coffee shops out of business? The answer, surprisingly, is a resounding no. In fact, coffee shop owners found that when a Starbucks opened up nearby (or more often, next door), their business increased! A lot of it has to do with Starbucks “legitimizing” expensive specialty coffee. People who wouldn’t normally get a specialty coffee drink will test the waters at the relatively safe Starbucks, then branch out to find better coffee at the other stores. I thought that was interesting.
This is a really good book that certainly makes me think about my (rare) coffee purchases. Kudos to Taylor Clark, and I look forward to his next book…whatever it is about. I do know that the next time I want to get one of these drinks,;I’ll probably try to find another store just to give it a try. I am not opposed to Starbucks in any manner…but this book made me want to expand my 4 dollar, 600 calorie drink horizons.
I know Starbucks is a highly polemic topic…what are your thoughts? Do you love Starbucks? Hate it? Why?
Rating: 5 out of 5
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December 16th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Thanks for the great review! I’ve seen this book at the library and wondered if it was good. I don’t go to Starbucks that often, but I LOVE their Chai Tea. I actually like Peet’s more than Starbucks.
December 16th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
i have actually thought about that question of why people flock to starbucks to overspend on coffee. I think it is because of the ‘experience’ -not the coffee. People like to go there to ‘be’ with people. Even sitting alone on a computer or reading, you are ‘with’ others around who are doing the same, and you are out in the world. I think people need that. It is a comfortable atmosphere and a nice place to chat with friends. I don’t like coffee but their hot chocolate is pretty good. (And VERY hot)
Sounds like an interesting book!