• Chocolate Wars

  • The 150-Year Rivalry Between the World's Greatest Chocolate Makers
  • By: Deborah Cadbury
  • Narrated by: Deborah Cadbury
  • Length: 13 hrs and 1 min
  • 3.7 out of 5 stars (147 ratings)

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Chocolate Wars  By  cover art

Chocolate Wars

By: Deborah Cadbury
Narrated by: Deborah Cadbury
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Publisher's summary

With a cast of characters that wouldnt be out of place in a Victorian novel, Chocolate Wars tells the story of the great chocolatier dynasties, through the prism of the Cadburys. Chocolate was consumed unrefined and unprocessed as a rather bitter, fatty drink for the wealthy elite until the late 19th century, when the Swiss discovered a way to blend it with milk and unleashed a product that would conquer every market in the world.

Thereafter, one of the great global business rivalries unfolded as each chocolate maker attempted to dominate its domestic market and innovate new recipes for chocolate that would set it apart from its rivals. The contest was full of dramatic contradictions: The Cadburys were austere Quakers who found themselves making millions from an indulgent product; Kitty Hershey could hardly have been more flamboyant yet her husband was moved by the Cadburys tradition of philanthropy. Each was a product of their unique time and place yet they shared one thing: they want to make the best chocolate in the world.

©2010 Deborah Cadbury (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This tale of capitalist rivalry mixed with Quaker values makes for a very sweet journey." ( Booklist)

What listeners say about Chocolate Wars

Average customer ratings
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  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Amateurish

This is an interesting subject, and there is lots of detail, but the narrative is disconnected and fragmentary. It reads like a high school essay

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Wanted More on Chocolate and Less on Quakers

What disappointed you about Chocolate Wars?

I agree with several of the other reviewers - needs a professional narrator. BUT I'm not sure that could really save this. I'm barely into and all it seems to be is a diatribe against evil capitalism. Things were great in the happy Cadbury plant until evil Kraft came just to make filthy money!

If things were so fabulous and peaceful, why were the workers unionized? Maybe as the book progresses, this will be answered, I just don't think I can hang in there long enough to find out! I'm going to try again and if I find anything redeeming, I will update this review.

I an fascinated with the chocolate industry so I was very disappointed by this. Much better is the Emperors of Chocolate.. And you just can't beat CandyFreak by Steve Almond.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Awful whiney book

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Rather than being an uplifting history of Cadbury as I hoped this book would be the author starts by giving an anti-American big business rant.

What was most disappointing about Deborah Cadbury’s story?

I am sure she is disappointed by the loss of the company but she has allowed this tone to pervade the book.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Awful whiney tone distracts from the story. Someone should have told her not to narate her own book, she does not have the voice for it.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger I had bought the book in the first place.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Historically Valuable

In intriguing tale of trial and error, and enterprenurial competition. Unfortunately it is read by the author. She is not a gifted reader. Very choppy and lacking plot, this book has potential as an historical reference. Otherwise, it is not engaging, nor compelling.

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1 person found this helpful