An enjoyable look at the social history of Europe through the prism of some of its most famous and well-loved cafés. Of use to those with an interest in history as well as those making travel plans.

NetGalley, Megan Baddeley

In A History of Europe in 12 Cafés, Monica Porter offers a captivating exploration of European history through the lens of its most iconic cafés. Each café is a window into a different era, reflecting the rich tapestry of cultural, political, and social developments that shaped Europe over centuries.

Porter's research is meticulous and her storytelling engaging, drawing readers into the historical significance of each café. From the intellectual gatherings of Parisian cafés to the revolutionary discussions in Vienna's coffee houses, Porter seamlessly intertwines the history of coffee with broader historical contexts. The book is structured chronologically and thematically, allowing readers to appreciate the evolution of cafés and their role in European society.

The vivid descriptions of these historic establishments bring to life their storied pasts, making this book a visual and intellectual feast. The inclusion of images, such as photos, documents, and artwork, enriches the reader's experience and provides a deeper connection to the historical narrative.

NetGalley, Electra Lennartsson

As featured in the Sunday Mail: Europe's Culture Club

the Sunday Mail

I really enjoyed this nonfiction read! As a avid coffee drinker myself I was really intrigued on how Monica Porter was going to mesh history and coffee. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I was familiar with but was able to see it through a new perspective. I feel like this book would be a great companion novel while learning about wwII and the European powers.

NetGalley, Madison Purdy

As someone who absolutely loves history, I so want to visit many of these cafés!

Monica Porter's research is extremely thorough, and she delves into various aspects of history and culture throughout this book, and ties everything in to the cafés. I felt this book was unique, and it explores many different historical eras, time periods, and the connections to cafés was fascinating to read about! Ms. Porter's passion for history is so clear, and I look forward to doing more research on my own time as well.

NetGalley, Ashley Maimes

As featured in the Jewish Chronicle

The Jewish Chronicle

A fascinating read for coffee lovers and historians alike, Porter strikes a fantastic balance between the two themes and the larger history in this interesting and insightful book.

NetGalley, Lily Amidon

A gorgeous slice of history, journeying through beautiful European cafés. Having been lucky enough to visit almost a handful of these, I felt even more connected to this book. I particularly enjoyed the fluid focus throughout on cafés being a vessel for connection and feeling present in both the now and then.

NetGalley, Michelle Chai

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Another good book of social history as the cafes played a relevant role in the history of Europe in the last three centuries.
Well researched and compelling.
Highly recommended.

NetGalley, Anna Maria Giacomasso

I really enjoyed reading through this book with my morning coffee. The historical significance or importance of the cafe had never really occurred to me and I learned a lot of interesting things about my favourite beverage. It occurred to me as well this book along with a bag of coffee beans would be a great Father’s Day gift for my dad (who is impossible to shop for) or any other curious coffee lovers.

NetGalley, Julia Puzara

The History of Europe in 12 Cafes spotlights coffee houses in the major cities of Europe that have been the center of some historical events. I recommend it for travelers who want to dig deeper into the history of a place. I plan to seek out some of the cafes which are still standing on my next trip. this would make a good gift for anyone interested in European history as well.

NetGalley, Lisa Stauffer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

An unusual and original trawl through the history of Europe through its iconic cafés, tracing the inception and evolution of coffee houses and coffee culture, and chronicling the importance of such meeting places for writers, artists, politicians and thinkers of all stripes. I found it a wonderfully interesting account, and was thrilled to discover that many of the cafés still exist. Indeed I have visited some of them. The emphasis is on Western Europe, plus one chapter set in the United Sates, at that time still under British rule. Six centuries of coffee and cafés, with a good combination of history and biographies of the cafés’ habitués... I enjoyed it, anyway, and learnt stuff along the way. Recommended.

NetGalley, Mandy Jenkinson

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

There are few things that appeal to a book reader more than cafes. Yes, we all love to go to a cafe, just chill, have a coffee and read a book. The overall vibe of a bustling cafe is beyond compare. So when I came across this book I immediately requested it. I was completely correct in assuming that the book was amazing. It had so much history about cafes I hadn't read about before, even though I love reading history books. There were so many quirky cafes like one in which one could only speak in Latin. Imagine just being able to speak one particular language in cafe. It's so great to learn that European cafes have so much culture and many great minds attached to it. Although cafes now are becoming much less so. As the author points out, cafe in the present day have fewer chances of becoming places where great revolutions began, as they get corporatized and money becomes the driving cause. Fewer cafes are likely to be the hang out of the famous "broke geniuses" or aspiring thinkers. Truly recommend this book especially to cafe lovers.

NetGalley, Merin George

I found Monica Porter’s A History of Europe in 12 Cafes an enthralling read. With its wealth of historical information covering visual art, writing, biographical material, politics and war through the beautifully described cafes, European and American, conveyed through accessible language that almost belied the density of the content, this book is a treasure trove. A treasure for the coffee aficionado who would like to visit these cafes; for the history lover whose appetite will be slaked by the detailed accounts of political intrigue, war time measures and attendant developments; and those whose access to the culture associated with the cafes will be at once be both satisfied and keen also keen to read the material and visit the galleries that house the art described. So, upon finishing the book one is at once replete, and fighting an appetite that can only be assuaged by rereading, delving into the bibliography or visiting the sites – no mean feat as they include ten different countries, twelve coffee houses, and galleries.

The twelve coffee houses are listed at the end of the book, complete with addresses. Visiting them will take the reader to Oxford, Paris (two cafes), Venice, Rome, Vienna (two cafes), Budapest, Zurich, Munich, Madrid and Prague. While the American coffee houses of the revolution differed from the European examples in their lack of artistic patrons, they certainly fulfilled the political environment familiar in the first fourteen chapters of this book. Chapter fifteen, which covers the American experience is an informative political read. However, The Merchants Coffee House, on Wall Street New York was destroyed by fire in 1804; the Old London coffee house did not survive its owner’s unrealistic expectations of patrons’ behaviour and, after various businesses used it, the building it fell into disrepair and was demolished; the Green Dragon in Boston was demolished with little recognition of its past which was left to later activists to recall with a commemorative plaque.

The artistic and political figures who feature are too numerous to list. However, the title of the book tells us that it is within the cafes that the history will be found and that it is expanded is to Porter’s credit. It is worth looking inside to make some random choices to see who frequented the cafes. Writers such as James Baldwin, Simone de Beauvoir, Samuel Beckett, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Lord Byron, Albert Camus, Fydor Dostoevsky; and artists, Dali, Paul Klee and Gustav Klimt are only a few of those who met at the cafes.

Political events, of which the Boston Tea Party, the Spanish-American War and the War of American Independence, World Wars 1 and 2 are a few examples. There are intriguing entries about absinthe (referred to over two pages and in another instance) and reflections on beer and wine; architectural styles; artistic styles; cafes used for film locations; resistance members and spies. Political figures and movements, Napoleon, Hitler, Lenin, Bolshevism, Feminism, Existentialism are but a few of the figures and movements covered.

The index is in itself a wealth of information with the plethora of material related to events, locations, titles of paintings and written material, adding to the enthusiasm with which I read Monica Porter’s book. Her ability to weave stories and facts around locations as fascinating as these coffee houses makes not only a stimulating read but one which is informative.

NetGalley, Robin Joyce

My grandma used to take me out to cafés wherever we were from a very early age and it always made me feel very special. To me, a café is never just the sum of goodies on offer (although it helps ☺️), it does have that uplifting atmosphere that is remniscent of all those freethinkers, authors, revolutionists, artists and ladies in flowing dresses. How many art styles, how many philosophic theories, how many plots to overthrow were conceived at those marble-topped tables?

The list of café afficionados is a grand one: Goethe, Rousseau, Napoleon, Benjamin Franklin, Casanova, Thomas Mann, Hogarth, Byron, Shelley, Keats, Gogol, Freud, Trotzky, Stalin, Tito, Hitler, Hemingway, Camus, Sartre, Beauvoir, Einstein, Lenin, Joyce, Havel to name but a few.
This book lets you tap into that atmosphere, marvel at the cafés’ interior design and imagine the famous faces slurping their mocha in them.

This book is also an ode to coffee, as Balzac famously enthused: “The coffee falls into your stomach and straightaway there is a commotion. Ideas begin to move like the battalions of the Grande Armée on the battlefield, and the battle begins. Memories arrive at full gallop, flags flying. The light cavalry of comparisons deliver a magnificent charge, the artillery of logic rushes in with its wagons and ammunition, the shafts of wit appear like sharpshooters.”

Thankfully, a number of those history-laden temples have survived into the present day. However: In 1683 there were more than 2,000 coffee houses in London. What on earth happened? Why replace them with bland, identikit coffee hellhole chains?

NetGalley, Anne McCormick

I enjoyed A History of Europe in 12 Cafés a lot! This was a fun concept for a history book, and I think Monica Porter did a great job with it! I think using cafés and coffee as the focus by which to move through European history was a novel choice and a good way to get people to look into the subject! After all, people love cafés & their ambiance, and people love coffee!

NetGalley, Samantha Santarpia

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A History of Europe in 12 Cafes by Monica Porter is exceptional, gorgeous and so beautifully written. Tea is my main food group, but I absolutely devoured this delectable story of the evolution of the European Coffee House

Porter takes us on a journey through time and place, exploring the development of the imbibemet of coffee (it used to be considered an "enfeebling liquor" and the establishments to be "hotbeds of dissent and intrigue". Well, in respect of the former, contemporary coffee lovers would consider their drink of choice to prevent or restore the self from an "enfeebled" state and as for the latter, many a coffee house has sent forth the creators, the great minds and the world-changers of history

This is the beauty of this book. Beyond the history of coffee drinking and coffee houses, it chronicles notable people through history and poignant events that shaped our world as it is today. A wonderful read for lovers of history, culture, global studies, and of course, coffee.

This book is absolutely fascinating, the writing is incredibly engaging and the illustrations are perfection .

NetGalley, Ink Reads