Salt

A World History

By: Mark Kurlansky

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

So much of our human body is made up of salt that we'd be dead without it. The fine balance of nature, the trade of salt as a currency of many nations and empires, the theme of a popular Shakespearean play... Salt is best selling author Mark Kurlansky's story of the only rock we eat.

From its single origin, to the other discoveries made because of it, fascinating tales of salt and the people who have been involved with it through the ages are interwoven here. Fifteen recipes are included that will meet with every taste. Mark Kurlansky has produced a kaleidoscope of history, a multi-layered masterpiece that blends economic, scientific, political, religious, and culinary records into a rich and memorable tale.

Enjoy Mark Kurlansky's books? Listen to an interview with the author on To the Best of Our Knowlege.

©2002 Mark Kurlansky (P)2002 New Millenium Audio, All Rights Reserved

Critic reviews

"A piquant blend of the historic, political, commercial, scientific and culinary, the book is sure to entertain as well as educate." (Publishers Weekly)
"Kurlansky continues to prove himself remarkably adept at taking a most unlikely candidate and telling its tale with epic grandeur." (Los Angeles Times Book Review)

Fascinating...

This is one of those books that just opens your eyes to something you never knew. Fascinating stories about the importance of SALT. It does not stop there. Each voyage into the importance of Salt at a particular time and place is followed by a narrative of many other important events that surrounded his original story. From Gandi to Washington. Brigham Young to the Chinese. Europe and the Vikings. Historically speaking, Salt has been as important as oil is today. Mark Kurlansky does a wonderful job of telling the story and keeping the reader entertained. There are only a few minor moments when the material gets a little dry "no pun intended", but he does not get very repetitive as I thought might be the case.
He did a great job of research and I can tell from references, a lot of work in putting this book together.

The world through the eye of a saltshaker

This book takes an interesting look at world history through the perspective of salt. I would never have believed there was so much documented history of salt.

The narration was very good

The book itself though not rivetting was a very interesting material. It has certainly changed my view of salt vs history permanently.

With a silly title like

... it is an amazingly good book. Much, much more than a mere NaCl, this is a sweeping history of man, from 4000BC to the present. But unlike so many other world histories, wars aren't the points by which the dots are connected; it's salt. While today it may seem mundane and ordinary, salt's fascinating importance throughout history is presented, with many colorful asides written and read beautifully.

Salt is fascinating

The book Salt is a time-tested way to present the history of the world, i.e. pick a ubiquitous item, and use it as the common thread to trace every aspect of human history. The same historical literary formula would work as well by writing about gold, fabric, or even bricks. Great book, great history, even if a bit repetitive about the importance of salt to fish preservation. Highly recommended as a literary device for understanding our connections to all cultures. Be prepared to enjoy almost pure history.

Surprisingly good.

*Listening* to a book on audio is not at all the same as reading it in print. This is one I would never read in print; it would put me to sleep in ten minutes. But I listened to it on a long drive and found it a surprisingly good listen. Lots of lore (for example, the origin of the words 'salad' and 'salary'), and lots of history that's far more interesting than it has any right to be! And many more recipies prominently featuring salt than you'll ever cook up in a lifetime.

As someone with a blood pressure problem, I found that -- oddly -- there only minimal discussion of the medical aspects of salt. Never mind, I'm glad I got this one.

View through a prism

For some reason, salt has been written out of history. You hear about gold, silver, sugar, silk, all kinds of commodities, but not salt. Why this is, I do not know. You will never look at food the same way again I expect. I love food history and general history and this kind of very specific angle book which looks through a prism and expands. So this was right up my alley, but I think anyone who can take pleasure in a high intellectual read, that is a bit dry at times, will enjoy this. The book is well organized and touches on a lot of places, eras, wars, theories, and leaders. The brief "caption biography" of Ghandi was one highlight. So are tidbits and anecdotes about Roquefort cheese (if you've never had it you will miss out on the humor of that story: it is glorius by the way, so go buy some if you can find it) and the first champion of Roquefort Cheese, as well as Christianity: Charlemagne, about the staggering difference in salt consumption up to the 20th century and since the 20th century, and about Vikings, Celts, Soddom and Gommora and Lot's Wife! (that cryptic bible story debunked) and lots of others.

The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is I have heard Scott Brick read about 10 books now, and he is always good, but I am very very sick of his voice and his slow, measured, perfect pauses and emphases always put at the same point in the sentence- you could hand me any book in any genre and I could do a killer Scott Brick impression. He's pretty much the scourge of my life at this point. An excellent narrator though if you've never heard him before. This is the type of book Thomas Pynchon must read.

about halfway through & taking the time to rate...

Would you listen to Salt again? Why?

I usually would not listen to an audiobook a second time, but I might go back to take notes on certain recipes. (Note the "recipes" I have heard so far are more like how-to's than actual recipes. The author describes several techniques employed by different cultures throughout history for preserving foods with salt. Super interesting!

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

Very clear enunciation, easy to listen to and follow.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I love the hundreds of interesting stories and anecdotes from history, all tied together with salt.

Any additional comments?

Who would have known a book about salt would be so interesting and thought provoking? After listening, you will have at least 20 cool stories or weird facts that you will be able to pull out at a dinner party and sound extra worldly and knowledgeable.

The amazing (hi)story of salt!!!

It is quite amazing to listen to the history of what was once (or for a long time) a precious commodity dating back to ancient times, and then realize that the product is today such a common and inexpensive one. This is one of those books where you constantly say: "wow, I did not know that". The amount of curious facts involved in the narrative by the superb Scott Brick makes the book captivating. Do not let the subject (salt) make you believe that listening to it is not worth it or that it is boring. Just realizing that as far as flavor and quality goes, there is "salt" and "salt", why are they different, why some were so valuable might make you get a better appreciation for a product that sometimes is seen as the villain in the kitchen.

A dash of goodness

airly interesting tome on how salt is at the root of all major historical events. While that might be an exaggeration on my part, this book certain contends that salt has played a more major role in our world's history than most of us are aware.

There are a few times where the book lacks a little, ummmmm, spice, and could use a dash of something to make it a bit more intriguing. However, those moments were rare and, in general, the book as an easy read well worth the time.

The narrator of the audio version does an excellent job

A fascinating look at everything via salt

This book provided endless entertainment as the author covered not only the topic of salt, but countless associated facts and history. I received insight into the humans and their times as history was shaped to become what we are today.

I know I will return to this in the future to again listen to it all enfolded. It was wonderfully written and performed.