The current proliferation of coffee shops is merely history repeating itself. Voltaire, Bach and Beethoven all relied on coffee as their muse, Honore Balzac takes the prize however, consuming up to 50 cups a day.
Cornerstone of Capitalism
It's history is far from vanilla, encompassing as it does smuggling, piracy and exotic locales. Good Queen Bess's favourite tipple and the basis of the ice-cream industry, plus an unlikely man of genius who made the breakthrough.
Far from Boring
A glorious assault to free the multitude of political prisoners? The reality is very different, a rabble intent on looting and guns release a couple of lunatics. Vive la Revolution!
A Damp Squib
The British Empire - bringing law and order to the depraved natives. Actually it was a state sponsored drug cartel to addict and weaken a nation and drain their coffers. 'Quid pro quo'.
How to Bankrupt a nation
A man that is ashamed of passions that are natural and reasonable is generally proud of those that are shameful and silly. And she brought the concept of inoculation to England leading to the eradication of smallpox.
Observer, Essayist and Innovator
At a time when education was the male preserve she became the first European woman to enter University and gain a Doctorate and was a great mathematician. A true advocate of women's rights.
Success against the Odds
Born in absolute poverty as a serf she became the Empress and Autocrat of All the Russias. Married to Peter the Great she was compassionate, strong, forever attentive to the needs of her husband and later to her country. Without her, and her example, Russia would not be the power it is today.
Ultimate Rags To Riches