Book on history of salt

Commodity history the book is part cookbook, trivia, history on one topic salt. In the domesday book of 1086, large numbers of brine pits and pans were recorded along the essex coastline. Rock salt occurs in vast beds of sedimentary evaporite minerals that result from the drying up of enclosed lakes, playas, and seas. Writing a global history of salt is a great idea, but this book is not it. As kurlansky reports, the chinese first start using salt when they found salt rocks on the ground. Mark kurlansky this book takes a look at an ordinary substancesalt, the only rock humans eatand how it has shaped civilization from the very beginning. Colonial americans were making salt by boiling brine in iron kettles during the time that the u. Only kurlansky, winner of the james beard award for excellence in food writing for cod. An unlikely world history from the bestselling author of cod and the basque history of the worldin his fifth work of nonfiction, mark kurlansky turns his attention to a common household item. All life has evolved to depend on its chemical properties to survive.

It has been used by humans for thousands of years, from food preservation to seasoning. Its a classic device and salt shows why its still a popular one. This book provides more than you could ever want on the subject of salt, covering the global history of salt making as well as recipes involving salt. One day he bought a large collection of used mormon books.

The dominant nations throughout history have had control of the trade of this rock that has inspired explorations and shaped prosperities. A biography of the fish that changed the world, could woo readers toward such an offbeat topic. As a necessity for the human body, salt has been an important substance since the beginning of civilization. Populated by colorful characters and filled with an unending series of fascinating details, salt by mark kurlansky is a supremely entertaining, multilayered. The most important element of the summit concerned the salt agreements. Its story is a glittering, often surprising part of the history of mankind. History of salt by mark pepper goodreads share book. He adds that petja and barlei recount both sides of their arrival and descent into war in alternating passages. Mark kurlansky on the cultural importance of salt salt, it may be useful to know, cures a zombie. Granted, a truly global history would require a team. Mark kurlansky on the cultural importance of salt arts. Although the book is well written and enjoyable to read, the subject is not that exciting. His story centers in paris in his life as the cook in the home of gertrude stein and alice b.

The first written reference to salt is found in the book of job, recorded about 2,250 bc. An unlikely world history from the bestselling author of cod and the basque history. This was no ordinary history, for it contained the fullness of the everlasting gospel as delivered by the savior. Kurlansky blends political, commercial, scientific, religious and culinary records into this history of the substance which he claims shaped civilization from the beginning. Appreciating and protecting the tidal marshes of the southeastern atlantic coast wormsloe foundation nature book ser. However, as mark kurlansky so brilliantly relates in his world encompassing new book, saltthe only rock we eathas shaped civilization from the very beginning. A world history by mark kurlansky, paperback barnes. The fascinating early history of salt today i found out. The history of world trade, cuisine, and many other aspects of daily life would be different without salt. The scope of this book is epic in that it starts at the beginning of recorded. However, as mark kurlansky so brilliantly relates in his worldencompassing new book, saltthe only rock we eathas shaped civilization from the very beginning. Mark kurlansky is the author of many books including cod, the basque history of the world, 1968, and the big oyster. The book could be found in a hill not far from the smith family farm. A world history, youll no doubt respond to please pass the salt with a new measure of respect for the substance, since every one of us would perish without it.

The scope of this book is epic in that it starts at the beginning of recorded world history and ends at roughly present day times. The dominant nations throughout history have had control of the trade of this rock that has. The history of maldon salt, the stuff you already put on everything. Mark kurlansky starts out by diving into ancient china and their exploitation of salt.

The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 484 pages and is available in paperback format. A substance so valuable it served as currency, salt has influenced the establishment of trade routes and cities, provoked and financed wars, secured. If you are drawn to history and curious about the origins of foods, allow mark kurlansky to take you on an incredible journey through the centuries by way of salt. An unlikely world history from the bestselling author of cod and the basque history of the world in his fifth work of nonfiction, mark kurlansky turns his attention to a common household item with a long.

Salt beds may be up to 350 m thick and underlie broad areas. Populated by colorful characters and filled with an unending series of fascinating details, salt by mark kurlansky is a supremely entertaining, multilayered masterpiece. Heres where youll find foods back story and the role it is playing in shaping our present and future. During the middle ages, salt was transported along roads built especially for that purpose. Salt river project has helped shape the west since its founding in 1903 and our history is one of service to the residents of arizona. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. We invite you to learn more by visiting the srp heritage center, scheduling a presentation or downloading our recently published history ebook. The book of salt is vietnameseamerican author monique truongs first novel. The book includes lots of photos, illustrations, and related artwork as well. An unlikely world history from the bestselling author of cod and the basque history of the world in his fifth work of nonfiction, mark kurlansky turns his attention to a common household item. In addition, the almost lifeless salt desert recalls that other desert planet, arrakis. An unlikely world history from the bestselling author of cod and the basque history of the world in his fifth work of nonfiction, mark kurlansky turns his attention to a common household item with a long and intriguing history. A world history, author mark kurlansky delves into the history of salt, as well as its impact on empires, wars, and economies, in a text that is lively, comprehensive, and surprising.

Mar 28, 2019 it was hard to pick just three lessons, as theres a lot more to learn, for example about japan, the great wall and gandhis role in the story of salt. The history of salt as we know it today dates way back to recorded history, having as much impact then as it does in the modern world. If you like wideranging and wellwritten books such as those written by jared diamond, youll love this book. The book is a natural outgrowth of kurlanskys previous exhaustive study of cod, which of course was preserved with salt and also affected world history. When a publishing company agrees to produce an authors first book, it will often try to stake a claim to his or her second. It was hard to pick just three lessons, as theres a lot more to learn, for example about japan, the great wall and gandhis role in the story of salt. When it rained, a brine soaked into the area around the rock and when the sun came out, the soil produced salt crystals. Salt was used as currency in ancient rome, and the roots of the words soldier and salary can be traced to latin words related to giving or receiving salt.

Water, power, and community is a comprehensive account of srps founding and our role in developing the salt river valley. Homer called salt a divine substance, while plato described it as especially dear to the gods. This book sets out to tell the history of the worlds salt usage. Salt is the history of the world told from the point of view of the only rock that we eat, which is salt. The first edition of the novel was published in january 1st 2002, and was written by mark kurlansky. Toklas, and is supplemented by his memories of his childhood in frenchcolonial vietnam. Ok, so its not exactly a blockbuster byline but, please, trust me on this onesalt is a moving, intelligent and great book. Shows the history of mans migration and civilization in a. A world history, youll no doubt respond to please pass the salt with a new measure of. This closure is to support preventive efforts to control the spread of the cvoid19 coronavirus. There are 31 other references to salt in the bible, the most familiar probably being the story. Kurlansky traces the history of salts influences from prehistoric china and ancient africa in egypt they made mummies using salt to europe in 12thcentury provence, france, salt merchants built. The finding, producing, use, transporting, taxing and wars over salt.

From the bestselling author of cod and the basque history of the worldin. Jan, 2014 the fascinating early history of salt january, 2014 melissa 2 comments there are a lot of different salts like potassium nitrate for gunpowder and sodium bicarbonate for baking but only one that truly meets our dietary needs and satisfies our craving for that salty taste sodium chloride nacl. Sep 21, 2012 three burning questions answered about salt. In 1925, gustav and margaret weller, mormon converts, emigrated from germany to salt lake city with their five children. The salt in honor of our first birthday today here at the salt, we delve into the mysteries of our namesake rock. Discussions on salt had been occurring for about twoandahalf years, but with little progress. Salt, also referred to as table salt or by its chemical formula nacl, is an ionic compound made of sodium and chloride ions. The salt heres where culture and history intersect. Ive enjoyed reading, especially history all my life. The history of maldon salt, the stuff you already put on. History of salt the history of salt shows the importance of salt in the development of human civilization. May 17, 2012 salt, it may be useful to know, cures a zombie. Shortly thereafter, in 1929, his shop became zions bookstore.

A history of honey, salt, chile, pork, rice, cacao, and tomato. Feb 24, 2002 the book is a natural outgrowth of kurlanskys previous exhaustive study of cod, which of course was preserved with salt and also affected world history. And in its theme of humans carrying their sins with them wherever they go, salt brings to mind frederik pohls masterpiece. Mar 31, 2017 the history of maldon salt, the stuff you already put on everything. Kurlanskys new book is subtitled a world history, and it is one of the few commodity histories to merit such a moniker, because salt isnt just a. A world history summary highlights the importance of salt throughout the progression of human civilization and how it shaped history. It covers ancient rome, the us, uk and france, plus there is a token chapter on china. Granted, a truly global history would require a team of researchers, but even with that in mind, this author could have done better on both the research and the writing front. Roman salt making entailed boiling the seawater in large leadlined pans. Salt has made tremendous impacts in human existence from its. Shows the history of mans migration and civilization in a new and fascinating light. Although it is now known that the consumption of too much salt is dangerous for ones health, the story of europe would not be the same without salt production facilities and the vanity of those who owned them. The book is divided into three parts and begins thousands of years in the past. Its story is a glittering, often surprising part of.

The fascinating early history of salt january, 2014 melissa 2 comments there are a lot of different salts like potassium nitrate for gunpowder and sodium bicarbonate for baking but only. Not a subject i had considered before, nor one i thought would be very engrossing, and yet, it was. A substance so valuable it served as currency, salt has influenced the establishment of trade routes and cities. The baltimore sun kurlansky does a masterful job of expanding the readers horizonsthis book of minutely researched data and history can literally makethe mouth water. Kurlansky blends political, commercial, scientific, religious and culinary records into this history of the substance.

From the sinking salt towns of cheshire in england to the celebrated salt mine on avery island in louisiana. The social symbolism of salt was painfully evident in the medieval equivalents of the amy vanderbilt complete book of etiquette. Reports from onondaga, new york in 1654 indicated the onondaga indians made salt by boiling brine from salt springs. Mark kurlansky this book takes a look at an ordinary substance salt, the only rock humans eatand how it has shaped civilization from the very beginning. The book begins well before arizona was a state with the valleys prehistoric canal system and carries through 2011 with the growth of srp and the valley. Out of concern for the health and safety of our guests, volunteers, and staff, the family history library in salt lake city will be closed starting at 5. The scope of this book is epic in that it starts at the beginning of recorded world history and ends at. We invite you to learn more by visiting the srp heritage center, scheduling.