Salt: A World History [Paperback]

The Roman Empire required salt for its soldiers and at times soldiers were paid in salt...which was the origin of the word "salary"...and the expression "worth his salt" or "earning his salt," according to Kurlansky. After the fall of Rome, Venice became the dominant commerical force in Europe. To this end, salt trade maintained Venice's palatial public building and the complex hydralic system that prevented the metropolis from washing away.

Soon France farmers discovered that curdled mild drained and preserved in salt made many different types of cheese. In Parma, Italy the production of salted "Prosciutto" ham and "Parmesan" cheese made the city famous. The same thing happened with the production of salted "Salami" in Felino and Genoa, Italy. However, a major factor in the prodcution of salted fish was the Medieval Roman Catholic Church's decision to forbide the eating of meat on religious days and the Lenten fast (40 days) and all Fridays. This was serious business...under English law at the time the penalty for eating meat on Friday was hanging. Consequently, trade in dried fish boomed...especially for Northern Cod, which had a white flesh with little fat (fat resists salt) and dried easily.

Page after page of this book is filled with significant historical information on how salt impacted economies especially with sea vessels and river steamboats. The author also includes little tid-bits of information about the develpment of our language...particularly the origin of expressions. For instance, when early American settlers hunted they would leave red herring along the trail because the strong smell would confuse wolves which is the origin of the expression "red herring," meaning..."false trail." Finally, Kurlansky explains that "Generals from George Washington to Napoleon discovered without salt...war is a desperate situation...salt was needed to treat wounds, preserve food for soldiers and for the diet of the calvary's horses." Recommended.

Bert Ruiz

Kurlansky, one of the finest food writers of today, has outdone himself with this excellent and entertaining look at world history. Salt, now a commodity of little consequence in world affairs thanks to refrigeration and other methods of food preservation, has quite clearly played its role in the shaping of civilisations across the continents.

If you have read or later read Kurlansky's other books then you'll find that he cleverly weaves them all together to one body of work - In salt we once again meet the Basque (The Basque History of the World) and of course the Cod (Cod) and as well as many other players that make the book incredibly informative and a real joy to read.

However, as you delve deeper into the book, you appreciate two things. First, just how important salt was in history - Kurlansky isn't exaggerating when he says wars have been fought, lost and won over salt. Second, how the author does actually have a very good writing style about him - the numerous fascinating facts he brings out may not have been quite so fascinating if told by a different author.

For me, two things put the book into perspective. These two things are explained about two-thirds of the way through the book, and suddenly make you realise why salt has been so important to society, governments, armies, etc.etc.etc throughout history - and why we can take it for granted now.

More than an epic history of salt (and it does actually work on that level too - such is Kurlansky's depth of research), this is packed so full of great little facts that it's also just a great read. Recommended for anyone who wants to understand more about a substance that's so common, it's very easy to take for granted these days. You just won't look at food in the same way again...