The Monk of Mokha

By: Dave Eggers

Narrated by: Dion Graham

Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

From the best-selling author of The Circle, the true story of a young Yemeni-American man, raised in San Francisco, who dreams of resurrecting the ancient art of Yemeni coffee but finds himself trapped in Sana'a by civil war, and his riveting tale of escape.

Mokhtar Alkhanshali grew up in San Francisco, one of seven siblings raised by Yemeni immigrants in a tiny apartment. At age 24, unable to pay for college, he works as a doorman. Until: a statue of an Arab raising a cup of coffee awakens something in him. He sets out to learn the rich history of coffee in Yemen and the complex art of tasting and identifying varietals. He travels to Yemen, collects samples of beans, eager to bring improved cultivation methods to the farmers. And he is on the verge of success when civil war engulfs Yemen in 2015 and he is trapped in Sana'a.

Desperate to escape, he embarks on a passage that has him twice kidnapped at gunpoint, dodging US-made bombs dropped by the Saudi air force, and crossing the Red Sea onboard an unsafe skiff, all the while carrying two suitcases of coffee. A heart-pounding true story that weaves together the history of coffee, the ongoing Yemeni civil war, and the courageous journey of a young man - a Muslim and a US citizen - following the most American of dreams.

©2018 Dave Eggers (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Dion Graham narrates this stirring audiobook splendidly. His narration shapes the mind and spirit of Mokhtar Alkhanshali.... Listeners will be rapt." (AudioFile)

Great inspiring story.

Great inspiring story. I learned a lot about coffee, Yemen, and the countries surrounding it. I was amazed by the tenacity, to the point of obsession, of the young man once he discovered his calling. I may have to find and drink a cup of Yemen coffee.


I did not like the performance. I felt that every sentence he spoke had an unecessary urgency.

powerful story

One mans passion on display. A real life adventure story, so fantastic it must be true.

I can’t wait to try it

I already liked Dave Eggars. And I really enjoyed this wonderful story of creativity, perseverance, and enterprise. I especially enjoyed learning more about Yemen and the coffee business. Now I will figure out a way to have a cup of this coffee.

Amazing story

The story by itself would be a winner. It keeps you hooked the whole time, but combined with a superb performance by Dion Graham this book can’t help but be an all around fantastic listen no matter if you love coffee or not.

Amazing story

I had no idea that it was in Yeman where coffee was first cultivated and exported, nor did I ever imagine that some of the best coffee in the world is actually grown in Yemen! This book tells you the story of a twenty-something Yemeni-American and his how he found a new-found passion in life once he learned about the history of coffee in Yemen - kindling in him a burning desire to resurrect that history, introduce the coffee to the world while also helping the farmers in Yemen!

The story is fascinating and entertaining, despite it covering the harrowing period of the still on-going war in Yemen and constant jet bombings on its cities. And it is really really uplifting knowing that it all happened so recently (2014 is when the story starts I believe), during this time of turmoil and war - and that indeed Yemeni coffee IS some of the best in the World.

I honestly can't recommend this book enough, especially if you are a coffee lover like me!! An added bonus is also knowing that the proceeds of are set aside for the Mokha Foundation, which was established to help the farmers in Yemen. Go buy and read this book now!!

What an amazing story.

The ending brought tears to my eyes. Dion Graham's reading gave life and authentic accent.

Complexities of Survival in the Underdeveloped World

The author has done well explaining the difficulties of just getting by let alone building a business and contributing to the well being of others.
Thank you for writing this story.

Great listen

Great story about an underdog immigrant/child of immigrants making his own path and the struggle to make it happen. Amazing that he went through what he did for his passion. Highly recommend this to anyone.

in awe

this was fantastic. I was pulled into the story and emotionly invested in the characters success.

Coffee

Fantastic book. Now I’m looking for the beans. Not easy to find so far. Can’t wait to try it.