Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky (English) Paperback Book

Description: FREE SHIPPING UK WIDE Salt by Mark Kurlansky Wars have been fought over salt and, while salt taxes secured empires across Europe and Asia, they have also inspired revolution - Gandhis salt march in 1930 began the overthrow of British rule in India. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Salt is the fascinating, indispensable history of an indispensable ingredient. Its a must-have book for any serious cook or foodie Anthony BourdainHomer called it a divine substance. Plato described it as especially dear to the gods. As Mark Kurlansky so brilliantly relates here, salt has shaped civilisation from the beginning, and its story is a glittering, often surprising part of the history of mankind. Wars have been fought over salt and, while salt taxes secured empires across Europe and Asia, they have also inspired revolution - Gandhis salt march in 1930 began the overthrow of British rule in India.From the rural Sichuan province where the last home-made soya sauce is produced to the Cheshire brine springs that supplied salt around the globe, Mark Kurlansky has produced a kaleidoscope of world history, a multi-layered masterpiece that blends political, commercial, scientific, religious and culinary records into a rich and memorable tale. Notes B format edition of Kurlanskys history of salt and its influence on the events of history and on the culinary traditions of nations around the world. A multi-layered blend of politics, commerce, science, religion and food writing which comes together to provide a quirky and hugely enjoyable piece of non-fiction. B/w illus. Author Biography Mark Kurlansky is the author of 23 books of fiction, nonfiction, childrens writing. His best-selling Cod- A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World won the 1999 James Beard Award for Food Writing and the 1999 Glenfiddich Award. His other works include- Salt, The Basque History of the World and the short story collection The White Man in the Tree. He lives in New York City with his wife and daughter. Review "Refreshing and invigorating, full of fascinating fact" Independent on Sunday "This is an extraordinary little book, unputdownable, written in the most lyrical, flowing style which paints vivid pictures and, at the same time, punches into place hard facts that stop you dead in your tracks. A compulsive read" -- Sir Roy Strong Express on Sunday "Crisply and elegantly written - piques the appetite and sharpens the senses" Sunday Telegraph "A rich stew about every salt-influenced concoction and creation, from the first sausages and cured hams and fish sauces to the invention of parmesan, tomato ketchup and Tabasco sauce" Financial Times "An entertainingly anecdotal and lovingly partisan history." Independent Promotional The magnificent story of how a common rock has shaped civilization. Kirkus UK Review This book has as its subtitle A World History, and if that seems a rather grandiloquent claim, read on! Kurlansky needs no special pleading to convince even the most sceptical of readers that the progress of human civilization, from China, Egypt and Rome to today can be understood in terms of the importance of salt. It has dominated economics for millenia, wars have been fought over its control, expeditions have prospected for it, inventors, many anonymous, have laboured with loving ingenuity to find out how best to harvest it, entrepreneurs have spent fortunes seeking how to make most profit from it, lives have been sacrificed to it, it has occasioned rebellions and brought about lasting social change. Perhaps its significance was best summed up in the sixth century by Cassiodorus who said: There may be someone who does not seek gold, but there never yet lived a man who does not desire salt. Apart from its savour, it is a substance that the body actually needs, though how much is one of the mysteries that still remain unexplained. Kurlansky concentrates on sodium chloride - table salt, that happy example of yin/yang, when an acid and a base combine - although he discusses other salts too in passing, and one of the charms of this book is the succession of alluring recipes. In some the appeal is purely local or historical: few would enjoy the Romans beloved garum or the Chinese delicacy of salted stomach of frog. All in all there is no end to the fascination of this book, though I shall not claim that no kitchen should be without it. Review by Sister Wendy Beckett (Kirkus UK) Review Text Refreshing and invigorating, full of fascinating fact Review Quote Refreshing and invigorating, full of fascinating fact Promotional "Headline" Salt is the fascinating, indispensable history of an indispensable ingredient. Its a must-have book for any serious cook or foodie Anthony Bourdain Details ISBN0099281996 Author Mark Kurlansky Year 2003 ISBN-10 0099281996 ISBN-13 9780099281993 Format Paperback Publication Date 2003-03-06 Imprint Vintage Subtitle A World History Place of Publication London Country of Publication United Kingdom DEWEY 333.85632 Illustrations illustrations Media Book Short Title SALT Language English Residence New York City, NY, US Pages 496 Publisher Vintage Publishing UK Release Date 2003-03-06 AU Release Date 2003-03-06 NZ Release Date 2003-03-06 Alternative 9781448113200 Audience Tertiary & Higher Education We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! 30 DAY RETURN POLICY No questions asked, 30 day returns! FREE DELIVERY No matter where you are in the UK, delivery is free. 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