Salt

A World History

By: Mark Kurlansky

Narrated by: Scott Brick

An extraordinary look at an ordinary substance—and one we'd be dead without: salt.

Salt has shaped civilization from the very beginning, and the story of this common household seasoning proves a fascinating one. In a kaleidoscope of history, Mark Kurlansky—bestselling author of  1968 and Cod—blends economic, scientific political, religious, and culinary elements to produce this tasty account of salt, the only rock we humans eat. Populated by colorful characters and filled with fascinating details,  Salt is a supremely spicy, multi-layered masterpiece.

©2006 Mark Kurlansky (P)2006 Phoenix Books, Inc.

A palatable approach to history

What more can I say about Mark Kurlansky's economic history of the world that the previous reviewers have not already said? Stop reading these reviews already and add the book to your shopping cart. You won't be sorry that you did.

Inaccurate history

It's a tidily written narrative. Not scholarly history. It falls apart completely when talking about the Dead Sea. No mention of Palestine as a country or even Palestinian people when discussing the region before and during the British occupation. I was confused about the time periods due to these omissions, but then he quoted Herzl and called him a visionary. So that cleared that up. Zionism. I know this is pop history but it should be factual, at the very least.

Original history done by lens through specific product

This was a breathtaking history done through the lenses of need for salt, purchases of salt, and the cultural effects of salt. When I first started listening it blew my mind.

Wonderful narrator too. One of the best.

I did find some sections lagged by reciting recipes, some of them pretty gross.

Enjoyable history of salt's effect on mankind.

Enjoyed story of man's interaction with salt. Informative history spanking thousands of years. Narration was clear and understandable.

Salt who knew?

This was a great dive into how salt affected human history. It’s a shame subject matter like this isn’t something being taught in more classrooms.