February 7, 2025
While the lack of health benefits of consuming soft drinks (whether caloric or artificially sweetened) is a fairly noncontroversial topic, soda remains a national obsession in the United States--one that, according to Carpenter (Caffeinated: How Our Daily Habit Helps, Hurts, and Hooks Us), is not an accidental marriage of carbonation and caramelization, but rather a full-fledged corporate conspiracy enacted by the folks at the helm of Coca-Cola, from its origins and into the present day. Carpenter's book weaves together individual anecdotes, legal action, advertising strategies, and much more to suggest that Coca-Cola is, much like big tobacco, selling deadly corporate disinformation that endangers consumers. While compelling, the book's claims are delivered with an almost tabloid-esque approach, making the argument somewhat less effective. VERDICT While some readers may find there's too much emphasis here on conspiracy theory, Carpenter successfully offers food for thought on how big businesses spread disinformation.--Emily Bowles
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