What is the Great Read at Birmingham (GRAB)?
The Great Read at Birmingham (GRAB) is our gift to you as a new student to the University of Birmingham. Helping you to enjoy a shared experience with other new students, we will be running an exciting and varied programme of events to welcome you into the academic community.
We believe that attending a University like Birmingham is about grappling with complex, multi-faceted, and even controversial ideas. As an academic community, we welcome and enjoy debate and hope that our book choice will stimulate your curiosity.
This years book
This years book is currently being chosen for 2013/14 by a panel of students and academics.
Last years book - Chocolate Wars
Last year’s book choice is Chocolate Wars, by Deborah Cadbury, chosen in recognition of Birmingham’s distinct chocolate history. From examining the methods of chocolate making to the psychology behind eating chocolate treats, events and seminars explored and debated the chocolate theme.
All incoming undergraduate students were given Chocolate Wars in their welcome pack and were encouraged to read the book before arriving at Birmingham so they could begin to engage with academic ideas and enjoy a shared experience with other new students when they arrived.
Kate Colquhoun "Engaging and scholarly, confident and compassionate, Chocolate Wars is less a family biography than an impressively though-provoking parable for our times." Read the full review from the Telegraph
Why this Chocolate Wars?
Chocolate Wars is the story of the Cadbury company from its early days to its purchase by Kraft. The book has been chosen by a panel of staff and students for its links to Birmingham, the positive image it portrays of our city and because its themes are relevant to a broad cross-section of University disciplines, from Business Management to Chemical Engineering, and Theology.
Any questions?
Any questions? Please contact grab@contacts.bham.ac.uk