For God, Country, and Coca-Cola
by Mark Pendergrast
Mentioned once across 1 show · first heard Nov 2025 on Acquired.
The general take
David Rosenthal highlights Mark Pendergrast's book "For God, Country, and Coca-Cola" as a great source, noting that Pendergrast captures how Coca-Cola serves as a microcosm of American history—embodying both the best and worst of America. The framing suggests the book offers a nuanced, comprehensive look at the company's role in American culture rather than a one-sided take.
About
The fizzy, “marvelously entertaining” ( Los Angeles Times ) story of the world’s favorite beverage For God, Country & Coca-Cola is the definitive history of the great American soft drink and the company that makes it. From its origins as a patent medicine in Reconstruction Atlanta through its rise as the dominant consumer beverage of the American century, the story of Coke is as singular, appealing, and effervescent as the drink itself. Mark Pendergrast recounts more than a hundred years of the Coca-Cola Company with verve and a historian’s eye for the telling detail, aligning Coke’s success with the emergence of that other great American innovation—modern capitalism.
Who said what
David Rosenthal👍 Recommends
…referencing mark pendergrast's acclaimed coca-cola company history book
“Mark Pendergrast, in his great book for God, Country, and Coca-Cola that was a main source for this episode, has a great quote. He says, Coca-Cola remains emblematic of the best and worst of America. It is a microcosm of American history.”
Acquired — Coca-Colaat 06:46
Listener reviews
Bought For God, Country, and Coca-Cola after hearing about it? Tell everyone how it went.
