An engrossing story of one commodity—and how it has flavored our world.
4/8/2002
Crossing continents and centuries, Mark Kurlansky deftly tells the story of a single commodity, salt, and how it influenced and shaped multiple civilizations. From the ancient Egyptians who used salt to make mummies to the Catholic Church that continues to dispense not only Holy Water but Holy Salt, Kurlansy illustrates how salt has been an integral ingredient in many religions. But the story of salt is not restricted to religious ritual and food preparation; it spills over into economics, cultural history, geography, and politics. Sprinkled throughout with fascinating details, Salt is a great read.