Espresso: The Art and Soul of Italy by Wendy Pojmann (Paperback)

There's more to espresso than what happens at the machine. Espresso: The Art and Soul of Italy by Wendy Pojmann explores the history and culture of espresso in Italy, with a focus on the people and places behind the coffee bar.

This 132-page paperback traces the shift from earlier coffee houses to twentieth-century espresso bars and looks at bars in Rome, Turin, and Naples. It's a read for the coffee lover who wants to understand the setting around the cup, not just the preparation behind it.

What this Italian coffee history book explores

• From coffee houses to espresso bars: The historical shift toward the twentieth-century espresso bar.
• Italian espresso culture: A look at coffee through its places and people.
• Rome, Turin, and Naples: Bars in three Italian cities provide a focus for exploring the subject.
• A cultural perspective: History and coffee-bar culture rather than instruction on pulling espresso shots.

Who is this book for?

This is a good fit for readers who enjoy coffee history, Italian culture, and the stories behind familiar routines. If you find yourself wondering about the café as much as the drink, this gives you a different way into espresso.

It's also an option for a coffee lover with an interest in Italy. The focus on Rome, Turin, and Naples gives the reading a connection to particular places rather than treating Italian coffee culture as one broad idea.

A different kind of coffee break

Settle in with your usual cup and read for the background, not a list of brewing adjustments. Think about the coffee places you enjoy and what makes you return to them. Looking at the history of espresso bars can be a starting point for paying more attention to the spaces around your own coffee routine.

Choose this book when you want to explore espresso as a cultural subject. Its history-and-culture focus is what distinguishes it from a practical brewing reference.

Book details

• Title: Espresso: The Art and Soul of Italy
• Author: Wendy Pojmann
• Format: Paperback
• Length: 132 pages
• Published: May 11, 2021
• Dimensions: 6 × 9 × 0.31 inches

Sometimes the interesting part of coffee is the cup. Sometimes it's the place where people gather to drink it.