The Coffee Trader: A Novel Audiobook

" Most of it went through one ear and out the other. But it was alright, I guess. "

" David Liss has a great way to tell stories. The intricate plot on the exchange market of Amsterdam involving the unknown commodity and its web of characters makes for a fun and enlightening story. "

" "The Coffee Trader" takes place in 17th century Amsterdam, at the dawn of the coffee trade in Europe. The setting and characters are so well developed that you even find yourself rooting for some downright duplicitous folks. And the best part is that the story worked on me like coffee. I would lie down tired and once I started reading, I was wide awake. This was a clever, no brilliant, page-turner, and it was just what I needed after reading so much mediocre stuff (unintentionally, of course). I highly recommend it if you like historical fiction. "

" Just didn't get into this book. There was too much deception, and ill-will in the characters to enjoy reading about the coffee trade. "

" just an "alright" storyline but a very good book if you are interested in 17thC Amsterdam, especially if you are into the stock market-- this is where it all began! I would recommend this to anyone interested in: 17thC. Dutch culture, history of economics, history of European coffee trade, history of the Jews in Amsterdam (especially Portuguese Jewish immigrants who escaped the Inquisition). "

" I found this a fascinating look, not just at the 16th century Sephardic Jews exiled by the Inquisition living in Amsterdam, but also a interesting window on the birth of the stock market. "

" Historically interesting and a great plot development although the characters are not people I would care to know. "

" Quite simply one of the best books I've read. "

" I'll finish this, but it's not one of his better novels. In fact, I don't know how he made a book about coffee and Amsterdam so dull. - OK, I'm finished. It was much stronger at the end than the beginning. Still, the main character should have been more compelling. "

" I saw this book listed somewhere as being of the genre "historical financial thriller" or something to that effect. I think it's interesting (and slightly bizarre) that this genre exists. The book was fine, but I can't say I'm motivated to seek out other historical financial thrillers as a result. "

" Here is another historical fiction book that takes the reader to a place and time not much is written about. Who would guess all of the going ons in the world of coffee and making it such a popular drink...for others...I'm a tea person! "

" Info on coffee trade, Portuguese jews and old Netherlands were interesting but a bit draggy and main character was a bit of a schmuck. "

" Parts of this book were pretty good but overall, I found it a bit dull. I Wouldn't recommend it "

" This was a random book I picked up at the library for my trip to Colorado and I really enjoyed it. I was surprised at how long ago the "stock market" was utilized. I now want to read other books by this author. "

" I enjoyed this book quite a lot. It was unique in both subject and plot. "

" This book took a long time to get interesting, not sure I would have stuck with it if not for my book club, but the eventual payoff was a suspenseful, well plotted, and bawdy read. "

" Makes learning financial history great fun. "

" Very intriguing book, a page turner because of the times in 1600's in Amsterdam. Financial transactions were even tricky then. I thought it was well written and interesting, a different mystery instead of murder or spy, this was a financial mystery with lots of plots going on. "

" Good, but not as good as the others. "

" Fictional study of the infiltration of coffee into the Western world and a nice follow-up to Conspiracy of Paper. "

" Interesting and well-written. Unusual historical/commerce/religion thriller, set in Amsterdam during the heyday of the Dutch East India Company. "

" Historic novel about the commodities markets in Amsterdam in the 1600's. Pretty fast rad. "

" Double-dealing, skulduggery, and the stock market in 17th century Holland - what's not to like? Ripping good yarn. "

" I liked the history of this book but felt it dragged a bit. There were only so many times I wanted to read about preparing a bowl of coffee or the effects or the dark, dank, wet basement. "

" Great historical read to preface my upcoming visit to Amsterdam. Memorable characters with lots of ethical dilemmas and religious confrontation! Strong female characters and beautiful descriptive prose made it a vivid read. "

" Another enjoyable book by Liss. "

" An interesting setup ruined by thoroughly uninteresting characters. "

" I really like David Liss, I'm no financial guru but he somehow makes trading understandable and also interesting. There were a lot of twists and turns in this and the main character plays the fool throughout, but is generally likeable all the same. "

" Good book. Interesting how commodiites were traded in early 1600's in Amsterdam. "

" Early 17th century Holland had not yet embraced the true wonder of coffee, so the mystery and intrigue of this book revolving around the early days of market trade and coffee shares is interesting. "

" The characters are flawed and not too likable. Interesting view of the early commodity exchanges. "

" Truly enjoyed this introduction to the history of coffee and its introduction into Europe. "

" Sorry just did not like this book...coffee, stock market, and lies...just not my cup o'tea...haha "

" The historical setting of this book was interesting, but not something I was familiar with. I found that the plot kind of lagged until I got to the middle, and then it went too quickly. Otherwise, I thought the descriptions of a trader's life (including the ups and downs) were very interesting. "

" This story was different. My library had it listed as a mystery. However, it seemed more like a story of intrigue and deceit. Good guys that weren't all that good, and bad guys that turned out to be good. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised because it's a story about the world of trading. "

" I liked A Conspiracy of Paper better. "

" Since I love drinking coffee and lived in Amsterdam for two years, this book had my attention. It's fascinating to read of the origins of drinking coffee, since we think a cup has always been around. "