The phrase "He's got a lot of moxie!" is taken to mean that one has nerve, vigor, and grit. And unless born and raised in New England, Americans are generally quite unaware that the root of this expression is a bittersweet patent medicine turned soda pop originally called Moxie Nerve Food, which was guaranteed to cure nervous exhaustion and a host of associated ailments. First bottled in 1885, today it is the official soft drink of the state of Maine...

Coke's insatiable thirst for resources shapes the company and reshapes the globe in this absorbing history. Coca-Cola's success in building a global empire out of sugary water drew on more than a secret formula and brilliant advertising. The real secret to Coke's success was its strategy, from the beginning, to offload production costs and risks onto suppliers and franchisees. Outsourcing and a trim corporate profile enabled Coke to scale up production...

Cultural, social, and economic history of America as seen through the development of Coca-Cola company.