Recent experimental data for the total cross
section $\sigma(e^+e^-\to\mbox{hadrons})$ are compared
with the up-to-date
theoretical prediction of perturbative QCD for those energies where
perturbation theory is reliable. This allows for a
determination of the strong coupling
$\alpha_s^{(4)}(5~\mbox{GeV})=0.235\pm0.047$.
The precise data from the charm threshold region,
when combined with the recent evaluation of moments with three loop
accuracy, lead to a direct determination of the short distance
$\overline{\rm MS}$ charm quark mass $m_c(m_c)=1.304(27)$.
Applying the
same approach to the bottom quark we obtain $m_b(m_b)=4.191(51)$~GeV.
