Sugar: A Bittersweet History

Name: Sugar: A Bittersweet History
Price: 2.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.1 (111 reviews)
Author: Elizabeth Abbott

by Elizabeth Abbott

Nonfiction

4.1 (111)

4.1 stars from 111 reviews

$2.9983% off peak

Last checked: Jul 10, 2026

Price history: $1.99 – $17.99

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Price range: $1.99 – $17.99

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Perfect for you if...

You're curious about how everyday things shape history and want to understand the hidden forces behind global politics.
You enjoy narrative non-fiction that weaves together stories of power, money, and human ambition across centuries.
You like to know where your food comes from and what invisible histories are baked into the things you consume.

Maybe not for you if...

You want a straightforward chemistry lesson or detailed sugar science. This is history, not a nutrition guide.
You prefer lighter reads with minimal research depth. Abbott's work is thoroughly sourced and densely packed.
You're looking for a quick self-help book on cutting sugar from your diet. This explores why we eat it, not how to stop.

About this book

Sugar: A Bittersweet History traces how sugar shaped world events and individual lives from the past to the present day. The book examines how American interests led to the deposition of Queen Lili'uokalani of Hawaii, how Hitler pursued a steady supply of beet sugar as Germany faced threats to its overseas cane sugar sources, and how South Africa developed a domestic ethanol industry following anti-apartheid sugar embargos. Elizabeth Abbott also explores sugar's role in making eating on the run socially acceptable and its connection to modern fast food culture and obesity. The work is extensively researched and demonstrates how this single ingredient influenced major historical events and everyday practices.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$1.99 – $17.99

Currently on sale at $2.99 — 83% off peak. Price has dropped 29 times over the last 5 years. Goes on sale roughly every 49 days. Typically stays discounted for 2 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently around #13K in the Kindle store — a steady mid-list seller.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.1★ from 111 reviews

Gaining approximately 1 new review per month. Rating has dipped slightly from 4.3 to 4.1.

Sale Prediction

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $2.99. It typically returns to around $17.99.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.

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