Sugar A Bittersweet History
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Review
'A highly readable and comprehensive study of a remarkable product... rare eloquence and passion... a must-read' --Independent
'Reading this graphic tale of the global havoc sugar has caused and continues to cause, you might wonder why sugar is not a banned substance; it seems to have done as much harm as opium or heroin... [Abbott's] style is vivid and she's done her research, right back to her sugar plantation Antiguan ancestors. It's a good read - but it might stay your hand next time you reach for a chocolate biscuit to enjoy with your coffee' --Irish Times
'Zestful... belongs to that recent genre of food histories which have had huge public appeal... Abbott's breezy and energetic style will doubtless find an enthusiastic readership among people keen to make sense of the world around them via the history of this remarkable commodity' - BBC History. --BBC History
'Reading this graphic tale of the global havoc sugar has caused and continues to cause, you might wonder why sugar is not a banned substance; it seems to have done as much harm as opium or heroin... [Abbott's] style is vivid and she's done her research, right back to her sugar plantation Antiguan ancestors. It's a good read - but it might stay your hand next time you reach for a chocolate biscuit to enjoy with your coffee' --Irish Times
'Zestful... belongs to that recent genre of food histories which have had huge public appeal... Abbott's breezy and energetic style will doubtless find an enthusiastic readership among people keen to make sense of the world around them via the history of this remarkable commodity' - BBC History. --BBC History
Review
'A richly dramatic and fascinating history of how sugar Africanized the New World' - Sun Times. 'Brilliant and assiduously researched. Abbott writes about the history of sugar with a fluid, fierce narrative power and a vengeful intelligence. Her personal stake in the story - via her own recently discovered West Indian heritage - makes the book all the more compelling' - Quill & Quire. 'Read it and you'll never stir sugar into your coffee or sprinkle it over your berries in quite the same mindless way. I promise' - Montreal Gazette. 'Elizabeth Abbott mixes anthropology with history in her confection of insights ... it is a strength of her moving and dazzling achievement that Abbott is never conventional, preachy, or platitudinous' - Guardian [on "A History of Celibacy"].
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Excellent book..... I've got a different approach to sugar and I'm really glad I spent the time reading this
13 Dec 2010
Format:Hardcover
This book would appeal to many. It's an insightful acount of how sugar has got into everything you eat... you probably eat sugar or a sugar type substance in some food at least once a day. Just try and get away from it......
After reading this book, it's changed my approach to foods and sugar. Do you need it in your diet..... I think not (unless you do serious sports post training sessions). It is and should be classed as a luxury, not a common additiveto make food taste better. I've cut sugar out of my diet as much as possible after reading this book due to it's history and increasing my own understanding today's issues.
After reading this book, it's changed my approach to foods and sugar. Do you need it in your diet..... I think not (unless you do serious sports post training sessions). It is and should be classed as a luxury, not a common additiveto make food taste better. I've cut sugar out of my diet as much as possible after reading this book due to it's history and increasing my own understanding today's issues.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Just finished reading this book and was it a struggle. Many of the facts were new and interesting but equally, many were well known. Despite the impressive list of notes and bibliography, the author seems to zero in on the same examples/case studies throughout a section implying that these examples are the sole products of her research in that area. She is obviously a person on a mission (no harm in that) highlighting the effect that sugar growing had and continues to have, on disadvantaged workers/slaves. However, the last section covering 20th century sugar growing and use seems to have been rushed and not too deeply researched -- almost like she had had enough of the subject.
I also found her style a bit heavy going but maybe it was just too acedemic for my taste. All in all, a bit of a disappointment as sugar does represent a major health issue and has a very corrupt history which still isn't over.
I also found her style a bit heavy going but maybe it was just too acedemic for my taste. All in all, a bit of a disappointment as sugar does represent a major health issue and has a very corrupt history which still isn't over.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After a recent visit to Antigua, I became interested in Carribbean history and heard about Bittersweet on the Book Show (Sky Arts 2). I am not a great reader of non-fiction and even less of history, but I just couldn't put this book down. I thought I knew about slavery, but the history of human degradation (both slave and master) connected to the sugar plantations took my breath away. Many of the quotes and anecdotes were coming from my British ancestors. I kept reading in the hope that things would get better, but unfortunately it seems that sugar and forced labour are hopelessly interwined. Humans counted only in terms of their economic value, much in the way factory farmed animals count today.
Elizabeth Abbott offers a fascinating insight into how sugar has shaped our environment, economic system, consumerism and lifestyle. I had no idea how influential the sugar industry has been on so many aspects of culture and heritage.
I would have liked more information on the part sugar plays in our society today and how it has affected our health. Maybe this will be the sequel.
Elizabeth Abbott offers a fascinating insight into how sugar has shaped our environment, economic system, consumerism and lifestyle. I had no idea how influential the sugar industry has been on so many aspects of culture and heritage.
I would have liked more information on the part sugar plays in our society today and how it has affected our health. Maybe this will be the sequel.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A disappointment
Sugar is a very old, important, world wide used, food. Something you would like to know more about. Sugar: by E. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Jan Volmuller
A superb history but with gaping omissions
In some ways this is a strange book. A good book, but a strange one.
No question, it merits its five stars, but I am troubled by its omissions. Read more
No question, it merits its five stars, but I am troubled by its omissions. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. D. V. Belfield
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