Burke (sports dietician), Desbrow (sports dietician, Griffith U., Australia), and Spriet (human health & nutritional science, U. Guelph, Canada) cover the history and usage of caffeine, one of the only confirmed performance-enhancing substances permitted for use in competitive athletics. Introductory chapters cover its history, physiology, dietary presence, and casual use. Its specific domains of effectiveness are then assessed, followed by warnings about adverse effects. The final section of the book focuses on practical technicalities, including the fraught history of caffeine regulation in competition, influence on recovery, and individual considerations including combination with special diets or other supplements. This light, accessible book would be attractive not only to sports players but to any caffeine user curious about the origin of its effects and potential for systematic beneficial use. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)