Propitious Esculent: The Potato in World History by John Reader £13.29

The Potato Book by Alan Romans  (1)  £10.99

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Synopsis
First published in 1949, this remarkable book is the culmination of a life-long study of every aspect of the potato. Dr Salaman is concerned first with the history of the potato as a member of the botanical genus Solanum, its adaptation by man as a cultivated plant, and the record of its spread throughout the world; secondly he considers the influence the potato has exerted upon the social structure and economy of different peoples at different times. The archaeological and anthropological evidence for the early significance of the potato among the peoples of Latin America is discussed in detail with numerous illustrations, but the central portion of the book is concerned with the European, and particularly the Irish evidence. Naturally the Great Hunger is the most dramatic single episode in the entire work, and Dr Salaman does full justice to his tragic theme, concluding with the observation that in Ireland 'the potato ended in wrecking both exploited and exploiter'. Elegantly written, with numerous vivid anecdotes, Salaman's History has long enjoyed the status of a classic. This revised impression, with a new introduction and emendations by Professor J. G.

Hawkes, enables another generation of readers to sample what Eric Hobsbawm has referred to as 'that magnificent monument of scholarship and humanity'.

First Sentence
Just as it is impossible to discuss intelligently the history of the potato without a reference to those early agriculturists who won and fashioned it, so would it be futile were we to leave undescribed the peculiar setting in which both plant and man evolved their mutual understanding. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews   3 of 3 people found the following review helpful: A masterpiece of potato-based scholarship, 27 Sep 2006 By  Trevor Binks-Jugwell - See all my reviews This review is from: The History and Social Influence of the Potato (Cambridge University Press library editions) (Hardcover) This is the definitive study of the history of the potato. I first read this book in the mid-1980s. I was working with the then Education Secretary Kenneth Baker on the development of the national curriculum. As a big fan of the noble tuber, he was keen to ensure that Potato Studies was a compulsory subject in secondary schools - including history of the potato, practical modern usage (such as the then fashionable potato print painting method) and nutritional value. I remember visiting his office, where he kept on display a fine collection of dried potatoes - Anyas, King Edwards, Kerr's Pinks; he even let me touch his prize Maris Piper. Of course, in the end this dream was to come to nothing and Potato Studies was replaced by History. I think there a still a few schools in Norfolk that teach it. This is a wonderful book. It is beautifully written with full colour illustrations and pop-ups.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this) › See all customer reviews...		Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

• Business, Finance & Law > Biographies & Histories > Business & Economic History
• History > Social & Economic History
• History > World History
• Society, Politics & Philosophy > Academic Sociology
• Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences

Economic history
Food & Drink / Cookery
Social history
General
History
History: World
Potatoes
Social aspects
Sociology
World - General


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