When you head the Cadbury family name do you immediately think of chocolate? You’re not alone, and the really do have wonderful chocolate. But there’s so much more to their history than chocolate and am pleasantly surprised that I learned so much by reading this book. I am truly impressed by the Cadbury family, and not just for their chocolate.

John Cadbury founded his shop in 1824, with funds that his father gave him. In fact he opened it up right next door to his father’s drapery shop that his brother was now running. Originally he carried coffee, tea, and cocoa beans, with the tea and coffee being the primary business. Over time he came to make drinking chocolate and seemed to corner the market on breakfast beverages.

It wasn’t until later that his sons became involved and turned Cadbury into what we know the 195 year old company to be today. All of that, in and of itself is impressive, but it’s the history around how the Cadbury family cared for their employees and their own families that truly impressed me. They may have been one of the first companies that took “Think globally, act locally” to heart with the programs and benefits they provided for employees.

This book offers so much more than what you would expect. it’s not just about chocolate and you’l love it. If you’re a chocolate lover, you’ll love this book. If you’re a history buff, you’ll love this book. If you’re looking for a book that will make you feel good as you read about how people help others, you’ll love this book. Definitely a great book to add to your must read book list!

This is a comprehensive history of the company Cadbury’s. It looks into its geographical and business history as well as the social impact it had upon consumers and workers.
What I particularly like is its explanation of the Bournville estate and its purpose; something that is useful when considering the impact of a blossoming company.

A steam-trainspotter's history of Cadbury

I grew up with Cadbury's chocolate and looked forward to reading this book as I'd looked forward to spending a pocket money shilling on a bar of Fruit and Nut.

Cadbury's is certainly a fascinating story. Two brothers turn around their father's ailing business, using money inherited from their mother and a lot of hard work. They build Bournville, build brands and move out around the world...

This book though tends to descend too quickly and too often into the weeds of deep detail, such as the number of rooms in a recreation facility. Meanwhile only 2 very short paragraphs are given to the momentous Kraft takeover.. Early chapters stop in the late 1920s, coinciding perhaps with the end of an earlier history of Cadbury.

So worth reading but a story unfulfilled I think.

Myths & Mortals (Numina Trilogy,Book 2)
by Charlie N. Holmberg
due 4-16-2019
47 North
4.5 / 5.0

Charlie N. Holmberg has done it again! This series, Numina Trilogy, started out strong, but this one is even better. Her fantastic world building draws you into a place of fascination, mystique and intrigue. Of good and evil. Of Celestials and Noscons; Grifters and Riggers. This is world full of choice and full of emotional tugs, it carries a message and an incentive to think for yourself, and what defines good and evil for you....and how can you be sure....
The last books leaves Rone with hard choices and facing his growing affection for Sandis. In this one we learn more about Sandis life, her family conflicts, and see her become increasingly distrustful. We are also introduced to a new vessel, Bastien and we continue the search and chase for Kazan.
This is a strong and fun series, with a deep yet subtle message that is unforgettable.
Thanks to 47 North for this ebook ARC for review.
#MythsAndMortals #netgalley

Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I know there are people out there who do not like chocolate. I’m not taking about those people who are allegoric to chocolate, but people who simply do not like chocolate. I know these people exist in some mythic realm that also houses those people who do not read books. But I really do not want to meet those people.

This book is about chocolate and, therefore, it is yummy. But even if you are one of those people who doesn’t like chocolate this is a book that you should enjoy.

In the United States, Cadbury is most likely famous primary for its Cadbury Eggs – or for the commercials for those Cadbury Crème eggs, but the company is actually famous for much more.

Like Flake. I mean, Flake is terrific. Or Roses, who doesn’t like Roses?

Okay fine, but even if you lack taste, this book is delicious.

Wordsworth traces the company’s history from its start in Bull Street in Birmingham in the 1820s to the most recent corporate sale with Kraft. In 1824, John Cadbury with a stake from his father, a draper, opened a tea shop that also sold cocoa beans. The Cadbury family was a Quaker family, and John Cadbury was also a temperance advocate, which was one of the reasons he put forward chocolate as an alternative to drinking. (He obviously never had a Guinness and chocolate milkshake).

Eventually the firm was passed down to his sons Richard and George who saved the business by expanding it and refining it – in part because of Dutch tech that allowed for the making of better chocolate.

However, it is important to note that the Cadbury family was far different than many in today’s heavy capitalist society where workers are being replaced with machines or losing wages and benefits. The Cadbury family actually seemed to have cares for their workers. What is most surprising is the emphasis on health and learning that the firm gave its employees. The workers had sports field, class, doctors, and dentists. It is turn that at some point there were some strange rules – like the ones about married women – but considering the overall care and concern that the family extended to employees. Wordsworth does an excellent job of making this attitude clear and connecting it to the family’s Quaker’s beliefs. She also discusses the two ways such care could be seen – Patriarchal or patriarchist.

The emphasis of this book, therefore, is on what Cadbury was and what in some ways was lost in the later mergers and buy outs. The later mergers of the firm while dealt with are not dealt with in depth. This leads to more of a sense of loss when Kraft enters the picture. It is impossible to think of a big business being so vested in the success of their employees on such a level.

In part, one does wish there was more analysis about the changes or differences. To be fair, though, it is entirely possible that such a criticism could be unwarranted. Wordsworth seems to have been contracted for a slim volume so the cutting of information must have been difficult. So, if it is a fault, it is more to do with contract. Wordsworth makes up for a bit of the gloss at the end by including a further reading list. She also includes several documents – such as testimony from a libel trial – and interviews with employees.