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Salt: A World History

by Mark Kurlansky

A global history traced through an everyday mineral

Bestseller Critically Recognized
Regular price $18.13 USD
Regular price $30.22 USD Sale price $18.13 USD
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Paperback New English

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Print BookAvailable Hardcover $24.93 USD$41.55 USD
Print BookCurrently viewing Paperback $18.13 USD$30.22 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Bestseller

    New York Times bestseller

    The supplied metadata identifies this book as a New York Times bestseller.

  • Critical praise

    Praise from The New York Times Book Review

    The New York Times Book Review says, “Kurlansky finds the world in a grain of salt.”

AlbakiReads Editorial

A global history traced through an everyday mineral

Mark Kurlansky uses salt as a lens on the development of human societies, following its place in commerce, food, warfare, urban growth, and political power. The book frames an ordinary ingredient as a material with outsized historical consequences: valuable enough to function as currency and central to the trade routes, cities, conflicts, empires, and revolutions described in its account. Spanning world history, it connects the practical need to preserve and season food with the larger systems built around access to salt.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • History readers interested in everyday materials with global influence
  • Cooks and food-history enthusiasts
  • Readers drawn to trade, empire, and the economic forces behind historical change

Themes

World historyFood preservationTrade routesWar and empireSalt as currency

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

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.
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Customer reviews

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AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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Olivia

Smooth.