Books › An edible history of humanity
An edible history of humanity
First published 2009 · 269 pages
A sweeping, accessible journey that transforms the contents of your pantry into a map of human civilization.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like putting on a pair of glasses that suddenly brings the entire history of the world into sharp, unexpected focus. It moves at a brisk, engaging clip, trading dense academic dates for fascinating, narrative-driven analogies that make global shifts feel immediate and intuitive. The mood is expansive and deeply curious, inviting you to sit back and watch as empires rise and fall on the backs of spices, potatoes, and wheat. Standage's prose is effortlessly clear, acting as a friendly guide through complex economic and social transformations. It is an absolute delight for curious generalists and armchair historians who love the thrill of realizing that the most profound drivers of human destiny are sitting right there on the dinner table.
- Mood
- curious
- expansive
- grounded
- intellectual
- Tone
- informative
- accessible
- engaging
- wry
- insightful
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- food as power · hidden drivers of history · interconnectedness of societies · unintended consequences of progress
- The writing
- Clear, journalistic, and effortlessly readable, utilizing sharp analogies to distill complex historical epochs into digestible narratives.
- The arc
- Begins with the spark of ancient discovery and expands into a sweeping, contemplative appreciation for the complex forces shaping our modern world.
- Who it's for
- Curious generalists and armchair historians who love paradigm-shifting microhistories that reframe the everyday world.
Content notes
- historical famine
- colonialism
- war
- slavery
About the book
A book putting a complex history of the world into a simple book. It is easy to read and the analogies make history extremely easy to learn and follow for everyday people.
Description from Open Library.
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