[shashwatak]

I was immediately reminded of The Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson. arethuza also mentions this series elsewhere in this comment section. A few of scenes from the books take place in London Coffeehouses, which are described much like the linked article.

Read these books! It's a bit of a time investment, but IMO it's better than Game of Thrones!

Neal Stephenson's attention to historical detail is extraordinary.

[joseph_cooney]

I thought exactly the same thing. Those books are very educational, as well as entertaining. The main/only problem is it is sometimes hard to know where the fantasy starts and the facts stop. I suspect the non-titular/non-noble characters (Shaftoes, the slave galley crew that become Jack's boon companions). Plus there is the whole island of Qwghlm. Also fortunately it has its own Wiki http://baroquecycle.wikia.com/wiki/The_Baroque_Cycle_Wiki.