51 pages 1 hour read

Mark Kurlansky

Salt: A World History

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2002

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Salt: A World History, Mark Kurlansky explores how salt has shaped empires, wars, and economies from ancient times to the present, detailing its early uses in China and Egypt, its vital role in Roman conquests, and its influence on pivotal events like the American and French Revolutions and Gandhi's fight for Indian independence, ultimately considering why such an abundant resource was historically treated as precious. Topics related to war and colonial oppression are present in the narrative.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Mark Kurlansky's Salt: A World History is lauded for its engaging narrative and rich historical detail, making a seemingly mundane topic captivating. Critics praise its thorough research and broad scope. However, some find the book's tangents and extensive trivia distracting. Overall, it is a compelling read for history enthusiasts.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Salt: A World History?

A reader who relishes delving into the intricate tapestry of human history through the lens of commonplace commodities would appreciate Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky. Fans of Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel or Simon Winchester's The Map That Changed the World will find this book particularly engrossing.

RecommendedReading Age

16-99years

Lexile Level

1260L

Book Details

Topics

History: European