Salt: A World History

By Mark Kurlansky

Book Overview

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER THE BOOK BEHIND THE VIRAL TIKTOK

One tiny rock. One epic history.

"A must-have for any serious cook or foodie."--Anthony Bourdain
"This is a "wow " book: roving, startling, engaging." --Washington Post
"Kurlansky finds the world in a grain of salt."--New York Times Book Review

An unlikely world history from the bestselling author of Milk and Cod

You'll never look at salt the same way again. The only rock we eat, salt has shaped civilization from the very beginning, and its story is a glittering, often surprising part of the history of humankind. A substance so valuable it served as currency, salt has influenced the establishment of trade routes and cities, provoked and financed wars, secured empires, and inspired revolutions. Populated by colorful characters and filled with an unending series of fascinating details, Salt is a supremely entertaining, multi-layered masterpiece.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142001619
• ISBN13: 9780142001615
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.1" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Amazing

I love to read about things I wouldn't normally think about, so I picked this up. I learned some incredible history, and a few recipes in the mix. It was very well written, so at no time did I ever think about putting it down and "maybe" coming back to it. It kept my attention the whole way through. It's one of the few books I have that I have no intention of giving away, since it's very likely that I will read it again. And probably again just for kicks.

Surprisingly Fascinating

When you go from explaining the words "soldier" and "salami" have salt as their origin and why, right up to Tabasco Sauce and the McIlhenney Company of New Iberia, Louisiana and finally up to Morton Salt, well its how a 14 CD book can keep you fascinated. Excellent. I came in with few preconceived ideas but little more than a minor curiosity. This was a real treat.

Salt shook up my thinking...

Mark Kurlansky's SALT: A World History shook up the way I viewed this seemingly ordinary condiment. Incredibly well researched and at times, quite humorous, SALT took me on a wild journey from the ancient brine wells of China to cheese-making in France and Italy. I encountered early Celtic salt miners in Austria and accompanied Gandhi on his historic "salt march" to India's independence. Mr. Kurlansky sprinkles this delightful narrative with customs, folklore, even some ancient recipes. SALT is terrific and lots of fun to read!

Kitchen Confidential X Two

While different than Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential, this book should be equally, if not more, popular among "foodies" and history buffs alike. Kurlansky takes what now is an everyday commodity and reveals its astounding historical importance. Filled with fascinating facts -- (e.g. both "salary" and "salacious" come from the same root) -- Kurlansky tells a masterful -- and true! -- story of world history through the trail of single mineral. (Just a few of the characters who make an appearance are John Adams, Daniel Boone, Ghandi, Christopher Columbus, Captain Cooke, Sigmund Freud, Theodor Herzl, Kublai Khan, Louis IVX, Mao, Leonardo (Da Vinci, not DiCaprio) -- now what book can give you that cast of characters !)By the way, there are about 20 wonderfully unique recipes in the book as well. This book is a wonderfully rich, hearty stew!