Local author to sign copies of 'coffee' novel

McHenry County College instructor Theodore Erski will host a book signing of his novel, "Salavandra: A Coffee Tale" from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 1468 Spring Hill Mall Blvd., West Dundee. The reading is part of Barnes & Noble Local Authors' Night.

Erski will talk to patrons about his second novel, "A Coffee Crusade," which is expected to be completed by early November.

"Salavandra: A Coffee Tale" is about an isolated Caribbean island. Its products, coffee, lumber and flowers are controlled by Penkava Inc., a New York-based multinational commodity corporation.

The story examines a revolution on a coffee-producing island but more importantly, "Salavandra" offers readers a critique of U.S. trade policy, globalization and international labor conditions.

Erski became interested in coffee as an academic topic when exploring poor working conditions in developing countries. Erski, who also worked as a barista, thought of the idea to create The Geography of Coffee course at MCC, which will be offered again in the spring semester of 2009.

He has appeared on "CBS News Sunday Morning," as well as being on numerous radio shows across the country.

"I hope 'Salavandra' helps people consider the profound economic, political and human impact of the seemingly humble coffee bean," Erski said.

"This commodity, which consumers typically notice only when it's absent, is desperately important to millions of producers."

The book-signing session is free of charge and open to the public. For information, call Barnes & Noble at (847) 426-5614 or Erski at (815) 455-8992.