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Salt
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
From the award-winning and bestselling author of Cod comes the dramatic, human story of a simple substance, an element almost as vital as water, that has created fortunes, provoked revolutions, directed economies and enlivened our recipes. Salt is common, easy to obtain and inexpensive. It is the stuff of kitchens and cooking. Yet trade routes were established, alliances built and empires secured all for something that filled the oceans, bubbled up from springs, formed crusts in lake beds, and thickly veined a large part of the Earths rock fairly close to the surface. From pre-history until just a century ago when the mysteries of salt were revealed by modern chemistry and geology no one knew that salt was virtually everywhere. Accordingly, it was one of the most sought-after commodities in human history. Even today, salt is a major industry. Canada, Kurlansky tells us, is the worlds sixth largest salt producer, with salt works in Ontario playing a major role in satisfying the Americans insatiable demand. As he did in his highly acclaimed Cod, Mark Kurlansky once again illuminates the big picture by focusing on one seemingly modest detail. In the process, the world is revealed as never before. From the Hardcover edition.
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OrangeMooseReads
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Pickpick

Finished this Tuesday night.
It was interesting, a little repetitive at times. Some of the topics I wish the author would have done a deeper dive on and others a little less.
Over all if it was good enough for Anthony Bourdain to blurb on it then it‘s good enough for me.
4 ⭐️ recommend if you are interested in where/how food is made or the history of everyday things.

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RamsFan1963
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Pickpick

131/150 I'm giving this a pick, but I'm not sure if I'd recommend it to others, it's very much a niche subject. I'm not sure if it would appeal to many. I found the history of salt very interesting, how it affected the development of nations, economies, exploration and of course the making of food (one of my favorite subjects). Scott Brick is one of my favorite narrators. 3.75/5
1st book finished for #20in4 @Andrew65

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 2y
mandarchy After reading this, I read Cod. If you like one, you would like the other. Fascinating author. 2y
53 likes2 comments
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Readswithcoffee
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Pickpick

I learned a LOT about salt. I found this book enjoyable and interesting, however, I must admit I was glad when I finished. If you like non-fiction and aren‘t already a salt expert, give this book a try.

30 likes1 stack add
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bookandbedandtea
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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I read this book years ago and it has stayed with me. It was the first time I had read an unassigned non-fiction book and I remember thinking it might be interesting. It was, in fact, fascinating! This reminds me that I have Paper by the same author. Might be time to start on it. #Alphabetgame @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 📚 2y
17 likes1 stack add1 comment
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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Pickpick

A world history of salt. Something we totally take for granted. I found this book quite fascinating. 🧂

mandarchy I loved this book, but actually preferred Cod. 3y
127 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Texreader
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Tonight is little Christmas Eve in our house, when we each open one gift. Two of us got books. I got the tagged book. Daughter got the Downton Abbey Christmas ornament.

#holidaytradition #wintergames2021 #mistletoemaniacs @Clwojick

LeahBergen Fun! 3y
mrp27 That‘s the one thing I love about Litsy during the holidays, seeing their traditions and how they celebrate the season. 3y
67 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Susanita
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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I‘m going to jump ahead a day to #food because this book perfectly matches my mood. We‘re finishing up a week-long zoom event and getting ready for another event on Monday. Some of my coworkers are working my last nerve, and I‘m feeling particularly salty today.

OTOH I‘ve been enjoying chat messages with other coworkers and shamelessly ogling one of our adjunct professors. 😻

I‘m glad it‘s Friday!!!

#curiouscovers

Tamra I hope you have a great night to make up for it! Maybe some sugar to balance out the salt? 🙃 3y
Eggs 👏🏻📚💗🥗 3y
Susanita @Tamra I‘m thinking maybe a beer or two 🍻 3y
41 likes3 comments
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Wife
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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@Kelican17 and I opened our Mother-Daughter Valentines Book Flood presents early today! We couldn‘t wait and FaceTimed the opening. I‘m excited to read these books from my TBR and eat my chocolate (chocolate missing from pic has already been consumed 😋).

CBee What an awesome idea!! So sweet ♥️♥️ 4y
Wife @CBee We aren‘t as sweet as you may think. We both bought the other a book that we wanted to read too! My daughter apple didn‘t fall too far from the mother tree😉 4y
CBee @Wife sweet and sneaky!! I like it 😁😂♥️ 4y
BookNAround Wait! You‘re not supposed to buy books for others that way? I thought that was the rule, not the exception. I mean, we preread the books before ever giving them around here. 😂 4y
Wife @BookNAround I think that sounds like a good rule! 4y
40 likes5 comments
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Sace
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Woot! Turns out I had TWO Kurlansky books on the shelves! I'm giving myself bonus points for finding the tagged book rather quickly.

@StaceyKondla

StaceyKondla And now I have a new book to add to my TBR wishlist as I don‘t have the top one 😂😂 4y
Sace @StaceyKondla and I added The Basque History Of The World since it was mentioned in the cover of both these. 😂 4y
StaceyKondla @Sace 🤣🤣 4y
64 likes1 stack add3 comments
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LibraryCin
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Panpan

It was very long. Some parts were interesting, but much was kind of dry for me. I did learn a couple of interesting things, like ketchup was initially an anchovy sauce! Nothing to do with tomatoes! And places in England ending in “wich” in the name at some point had salt mines

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janeycanuck
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Hello, #JuneTBR! Lots to keep me busy this month, including my #PemberLittens chapter-a-day of Sense and Sensibility, my #potteraday chapter of Half-Blood Prince, my #FlaviaBuddyRead of The Dead in their Vaulted Arches, trying to catch up on my #HeyCarrots re-read of the Anne of Green Gables series, a couple of books for #15books15weeks and a bunch of leftovers, including the #bookspinbonanza picks I didn‘t get to in May!

Linsy Great stacks! 4y
36 likes1 comment
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MoMogrl
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Mehso-so

Haven't done much reading even with quarantine going on. Been working at home and distracted by video games. Decided to listen to audio books while working. Have to admit I probably would not have finished this if I hadn't listened to it. It is pretty fascinating, I just don't know if it would have kept my attention.

BarbaraTheBibliophage Great choice. May all your meals be well seasoned from now on! 🧂 🥰 5y
Cinfhen I‘m enjoying audiobooks SO MUCH right now!!! Great choice 5y
14 likes3 comments
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kricheal
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Mehso-so

So much salting of fish in this book...🤢🤢 #5 #2020

Ruthiella Hey, don‘t give away any spoilers! 🤪 5y
56 likes1 stack add1 comment
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kricheal
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Starting this next on #overdrive #currentlylistening

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wanderinglynn
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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@kellyann28 A fantastic #ReadintheNewYearswap package! Thank you so much! ❤️

It‘s hard to see because there was so.much.stuff, but in the upper right photo: aBook Beau, 2 pairs of socks (the black ones say “Do not disturb” & “I‘m reading” on the bottom), 642 tiny things to draw, vintage maps magnetic bookmarks, and a mini-bookcase! Plus loads of chocolate and these books! 😍

This really is an amazing swap! I hope you like yours as much.👇🏻

wanderinglynn I‘ve been flipping through the cookbook and it really does look easy. I can‘t wait to try some of the recipes out. And the two paperbacks will be my airplane reading on Sunday! Thank you again! ❤️😘💜📚 5y
rockpools Wow, that‘s a bumper swap package. Looks great! 5y
Chrissyreadit 😍💕😍💕😍💕😍 5y
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MeganAnn Great package!! 😍🎉✨🎆 5y
kellyann28 I am glad you like everything! I had fun picking it all out. ❤ I'm all about some easy recipes that don't have a billion weird ingredients that I'll never use for anything else so I hope you find at least one or two dishes you enjoy out of it! I am about to post my package 😍 5y
kellyann28 Also I know I wrote a note about it, but The Fifth Season trilogy was one of my top 5 reads from last year. I was so excited when I saw you hadn't read it yet. Let me know what you think of it when you get to it! 5y
DieAReader @wanderinglynn I can‘t wait to get my hands on Me! I can‘t wait to hear what you thought of it! 5y
89 likes1 stack add7 comments
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vumblereads
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Road trip audiobook choice: #salt #scottbrick #nonfiction

I‘m liking it so far!

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Villo
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
Pickpick

Great book that history under a very different perspective.

3 likes1 stack add
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JessNevertheless
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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My wonderful, slightly-belated birthday gifts, this fluff included :) Really excited for both these reads!! Thanks @Potat

CindyMyLifeIsLit Love your Papillon! We have one, too. ❤️ 6y
MicrobeMom So cute! ❤️💚❤️💚 6y
88 likes2 comments
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noellereads
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Hope everyone is looking forward to the holidays!! I am currently taking a break from the Throne of Glass series and reading something a little different from what I usually read! I've decided to pick up a copy of Salt by Mark Kurlansky. So far I am enjoying it immensely! This book gives you the full history of how valuable salt is! Many years ago, salt was even used as a form of currency! This book is quite an eye opener! I highly recommend it!

Cinfhen Great photo 💚 6y
gradcat Totally great photo...ditto @Cinfhen 6y
kiaaaa Its a great photo💙, but one question is she a statue or what? She is just so...wow!😮😻 6y
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noellereads @Cinfhen Thank you! I was having some fun after work hours! 😄😄 6y
noellereads @gradcat Thank you!!! 6y
noellereads @kiaaaa Aww thank you! It is me actually! I dressed up for the holidays at work and asked my coworker to take a picture from the outside of the store window! 📚📚♥️ 6y
Cinfhen I‘ve seen some of your other posts!!! I love how whimsical they are✨🌟✨ 6y
gradcat Your story makes that photo even more impressive...you‘re adorable (don‘t hate on the word, please—it just really encompasses you in your seasonal outfit among all the books 😂), I love it 🥰! 6y
kiaaaa @noellereads oh, so it was you😅😅 you are amazingly beautiful💖💖 6y
noellereads @Cinfhen @gradcat @kiaaaa Aww, thank you all so much!! 📚🎄♥️ 6y
70 likes10 comments
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shaynarae
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Mehso-so

I found this book utterly fascinating for about the first hour of listening, but then I zoned in and out for the next 13 hours. When I was focused, I really enjoyed it a lot. But it couldn‘t hold my attention throughout. I wonder if that was an issue I was having with the audiobook and if I would‘ve enjoyed it more in print.

Tove_Reads It wasn‘t perfect, but interesting. Gave it 3+. I doubt I would have enjoyed the audio. 6y
shaynarae @Tove_Reads Good to hear! That definitely makes me feel better. Sometimes it can be hard to gauge how much of my reaction is to the book itself and how much is a reflection of my experience. 6y
20 likes2 comments
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jessinikkip
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Pickpick

This was just as good as I remembered it being. A very factual history covering the ups and downs of salt making all over the world from BC times until now. It never seemed dry or boring.

Insightsintobooks I have this, I just haven't read it yet. 6y
30 likes1 comment
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jessinikkip
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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This inspired Pope Innocent III to launch a series of crusades to cleanse the region of heretics. Asked how to recognize a heretic from a true believer, one crusader, according to legend, said "KILL THEM ALL. GOD KNOWS HIS OWN." #quote #KillThemAll

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jessinikkip
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Well, I thought I would read a few chapters while at my in-laws house. Little Man thought he would get educated about the history of salt while getting snuggles. Win-win! #DogsOfLitsy #LittleMan #ReadingHistory #SnuggleTime

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jessinikkip
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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A French folktale relates the story of a princess who declares to her father, "I love you like salt," and he, angered by the slight banishes her from the kingdom. Only later when he is denied salt does he realize its value and therefore the depth of his daughter's love.
#love #quote #family #Salt

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jessinikkip
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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An old book that I had to read for an advanced class in high school about world history. Can you see in rhe cover edges how many times I've read it? And I'm reading again.

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Deborah42
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Mehso-so

Salt has been an influence on civilization throughout recorded history, but only partly because of its importance in our diets. It‘s also been a driver of financial concerns and politics.

Had this book been better organized, it would probably have kept my attention more than it did.

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Purrsistently
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Historians are secretly the sweetest little squishes. This closing comment didn‘t surprise me at all, my partner is a history major who somehow wound up in marketing. ❤️

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lute
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Who knew a book about salt could be so fascinating? Totally enthralled!

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emilyhaldi
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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I ❤️ salt! This book tells of the history of this magical mineral and how it has changed the life for #allthepeopleintheworld 🌎
#septemberdanes

LauraBeth I‘ve been wanting to read this forever 6y
Kalalalatja I‘m a big salt fan! #stacked 6y
Reviewsbylola You, @Meredith3 and @HotdogZanzabaar have a serious issue. I‘m pretty sure Brian told me the other day that you salt your food before you even taste it. 6y
See All 7 Comments
Meredith3 I always salt my food before tasting 😹 6y
Mdargusch I always salt before I taste! 🤷🏼‍♀️ 6y
Reviewsbylola That is insane!! How do you know if your food even needs salt if you haven‘t tasted it yet?? @Meredith3 @Mdargusch 6y
Meredith3 @Reviewsbylola because all food could use MORE salt !!!! 6y
101 likes5 stack adds7 comments
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Tove_Reads
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Pickpick

“In China, schoolchildren learn a jingle from the Middle Ages with the seven necessities needed every day: firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea.”
I choose “pick” because it is informative and interesting, but all the weird recipes could have been left out. Also, the structure is a bit weird, there‘s no common thread, except for salt of course.

26 likes1 stack add
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LubicaP
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
Panpan

Focus on ancient Rome, the UK, US and France and a token chapter on China does not constitute a 'world history'. In addition, this wasn't particularly well written and I had the impression that the author's research did not go beyond easily accessible sources in English.

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danimgill
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
Mehso-so

This was obviously thoroughly researched but it was just a bit boring for me overall. Clearly my attention span for all things history of salt related is not high, though I do have a few new fun facts in my back pocket to bust out at parties.

This was my "nonfiction about food or drink" for the #litsyreadingchallenge ?

HeatherBookNerd The review 😂 7y
BeththeBookDragon I liked the topic of this book (I geek out on micro histories) but thought the writing was terrible! ☹️ 7y
danimgill @BeththeBookDragon Totally! I think the topic would have been truly fascinating in the hands of someone else haha. I just felt like he meandered around really choppily and never found the right approach 😕 (edited) 7y
ValerieAndBooks I tried reading this many years ago and bailed. It was just so dry!! 7y
danimgill @ValerieAndBooks I'm so glad you feel the same! Dry is exactly the adjective. You didn't miss anything by bailing lol 7y
38 likes1 stack add5 comments
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danimgill
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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I'm about halfway through this book and I'm feeling pretty meh about it tbh... but it only felt appropriate to share this latest read about food along with my new favorite sandwich. Japanese sweet potato, yum! 😋

Laalaleighh Oh my god. What else is in that? It looks amazing! 7y
Audrey Where did you get this delicious looking sandwich? I think we are in the same city (or adjoining ones). Love Japanese sweet potatoes. 7y
danimgill @Laalaleighh There was tempura and red cabbage and some kind of delicious mayo/soy sauce spread, it was sooooo good! 7y
See All 7 Comments
danimgill @Audrey I got it at the Clover Food Lab in Cambridge! (Central Square) The guy told me it was a seasonal offering so I'll def be getting it again soon haha 7y
Laalaleighh Ugh I miss the food in Cambridge so much. 7y
Audrey Thanks. There are clovers everywhere. I'll have to pop down to the one at Harvard soon. 7y
DivineDiana That sandwich sounds so yummy! 7y
47 likes1 stack add7 comments
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ReadingEnvy
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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#asidefrombooks
Favorite hobby: baking
Favorite drink: cold brew coffee with hazelnut and half n half
Favorite food: pad thai
Favorite color: aqua
Favorite city: San Francisco
Where would my dream house be: Isle of Iona
Favorite accessory: glasses
Favorite tv show: grantchester and big brother (right now)
Last movie I watched in theaters: oh goodness, um, BFG.
Currently reading: Hausfrau

saresmoore 🤗 7y
Tamra Yum! 7y
Sha0102 @ReadingEnvy I loved Hausfrau!!! 7y
Bookchipmunk Come visit! 7y
ReadingEnvy @Bookchipmunk are you in SF?! Lucky... 7y
94 likes1 stack add5 comments
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DreesReads
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Pickpick

I expected to like this--because it's food and history together! I ended up liking it even more than expected. And I want to read everything in the bibliography!!

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Eryn2513
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Reading with a cold beverage, because #eclecticreathon says I have to. It's 43 degrees here, 35 with the windchill, and hot beverages are definitely on the menu for today. It might be summer for most of you, but here in northern Alaska... this IS our summer! :-) Also, this book is boring. But I really want to get a few more chapters done in it.

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DreesReads
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Finally started a new nonfiction book! Got this from Better World Books during a sale--I thought it would be a long read. So far it's very well written and an easy read. Pleasant surprise!!

Chrissyreadit This is on my to read for world history with my daughter. Glad to here it is a good read. 8y
16 likes1 comment
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kirriemummy
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Pickpick

Great non fiction read, with a couple of drawbacks. The first is be prepared to develop cravings for intensely salinated food products while reading. It is best to buy cinema popcorn to have alongside you. Second, it's a bit like eating very salty food. It's so fact heavy it can be a bit too intense to read all at once. Best savoured as an amuse bouche. If that makes sense!

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SammyKat
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
Mehso-so

There's some really great history here, "Salt" does lag a bit from time to time - that could either be the subject matter, or the fact that I'm more of a fiction person. Kurlansky's best writing comes when describing the sociology of salt, and all the innovations, wars, and rules therein. He also keeps the focus global, which leads to some great cultural comparisons, insights, and humor.

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BooksForYears
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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@bookriot #riotgrams day 21 - cool spines

I'm loving the spine on this microhistory of one of the most important substances in all of human life. It can be as plain as table salt and as gourmet as infused with wine or smoke.

Cinfhen ❤️ 8y
8leagueboot I've never seen that edition before, but it is looovely 8y
146 likes2 comments
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AEBowenPhD
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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If you're in the D.C.-area in late January, join me and the folks at Atlas Obscura for an evening lesson on the wonders (really) of table salt: http://www.atlasobscura.com/events/obscura-society-dc-history-worth-its-salt-at-...

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sherri
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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I *may* have gone back to the library sale to find something I had seen yesterday. They *may* have said, "Take a bag. All the books you can fit for $5." Little did they know that, in addition to being an avid reader, I am a master packer.

BookishMarginalia 🙌🏼 8y
TrishB 😀😀✋ 8y
CherylDeFranceschi 👏👏👏 8y
courtney 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 amazing! 8y
nickimags Wonderful! 8y
27 likes1 stack add5 comments
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wordsworthsprite
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Pickpick

tangental in its telling but fascinating in the information. i recommend it!

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GoneFishing
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky

Salt is so common, so easy to obtain, and so inexpensive that we have forgotten that from the beginning of civilization until about 100 years ago, salt was one of the most sought-after commodities in human history.

Readingrobin I just made reference to Kurlansky's newest "Paper" which I got last winter as an ARC but haven't read yet. 8y
tpixie We have a Salt Mine in Hutchinson! Superman's outfit is here! 8y
65 likes10 stack adds2 comments
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AliReads
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Used a day of driving around to knock out more of this audiobook - and get some reading time toward my #24in48. I'm now learning about the history of household uses for salt in the United States. Yes, I'm pretty wild. Also, shout out #overdrive!!!

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corydora
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
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Pickpick

A fascinating salty history of "the only rock we eat". My only gripe is it's not really a world history when you ignore or gloss over a couple of continents! Still, tons of cool little facts that make you realise how we take the ease of picking up a salt shaker for granted.

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Lkardos12
Salt: A World History | Mark Kurlansky
Bailedbailed

This book was so fascinating until 3/4 of the way through. The author was extremely racist/xenophobic toward Jordanians in one of his final chapters, I had to stop reading.