ApexNews
Return to Main
Book

The Coke Machine: The Dirty Truth Behind the World's Favorite Soft Drink

2010

Purchase on Amazon

Synopsis

Ever since its "I'd like to teach the world to sing" commercials from the 1970s, Coca-Cola has billed itself as the world's beverage, uniting all colors and cultures in a mutual love of its caramel-sweet sugar water. The formula has worked incredibly well-making it one of the most profitable companies on the planet and "Coca-Cola" the world's second- most recognized word after "hello." However, as the company expands its reach into both domestic and foreign markets, an increasing number of the world's citizens are finding the taste of Coke more bitter than sweet.

Journalist Michael Blanding's The Coke Machine probes shocking accusations about the company's global impact, including:

Coca-Cola's history of winning at any cost, even if it meant that its franchisees were making deals with the Nazis and Guatemalan paramilitary squads,

How Coke has harmed children's health and contributed to an obesity epidemic through exclusive soda contracts in schools.

The horrific environmental impact of Coke bottling plants in India and Mexico, where water supplies have been decimated while toxic pollution has escalated.

That Coke bottlers stand accused of conspiring with paramilitaries to threaten, kidnap, and murder union leaders in their bottling plants in Colombia.

A disturbing portrait drawn from an award-winning journalist's daring, in-depth research, The Coke Machine is the first comprehensive probe of the company and its secret formula for greed.

Suggested Reading

The Strange and Disturbing History of Coca-Cola

The Strange and Disturbing History of Coca-Cola by Mitchell Hazlewood is an eye-opening exploration of the iconic soft drink brand’s rise to global dominance, delving into its origins, marketing triumphs, and the darker controversies that have shadowed its legacy. The book begins with the story of J...

View Details

Citizen Coke: The Making of Coca-Cola Capitalism

How did Coca-Cola build a global empire by selling a low-price concoction of mostly sugar, water, and caffeine? The easy answer is advertising, but the real formula to Coke’s success was its strategy, from the start, to offload costs and risks onto suppliers, franchisees, and the government. For mos...

View Details

Latest News

July 16th, 2026

7-Eleven details plans to close 645 stores

July 23rd, 2025

Coca-Cola says it will use U.S. cane sugar in a new Coke, a plan pushed by Trump

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you accept our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.