The Untold History of the Potato

John Reader

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Paperback

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English

Vintage
01 April 2009

History; Social & cultural history; Food & society; Cookery, food & drink

The story of one of the world's most important crops and a dazzling piece of food history writing.

Where does our food come from? The story of one of the world's most important crops

From the gold potatoes at the Sun Temple in Cuzco, Peru, the muddy ones in Ireland and those grown in China for McDonald's chips, the story of the spud is both satisfying and fascinating. John Reader follows the thread of the potato's story through the tapestry of human history, from its origins and evolution to its mysterious arrival in Europe, where it became a crucial part of gastronomic and social fabric. As global population swells and environmental sustainability becomes ever more crucial, Reader asks what role the potato still has to play - in this lively, readable study of our most humble foodstuff.

'Each chapter is discrete in content and manner, yet densely connected to the rest. Wonderful- to understand the whole world through a single crisp' Guardian

By: John Reader
Imprint: Vintage
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 234g
ISBN: 9780099474791
ISBN 10: 0099474794
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 01 April 2009
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

John Reader is an author and photojournalist. He holds an Honorary Research Fellowship in the Department of Anthropology at UCL and is a fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute and the Royal Geographic Society.

Reviews for The Untold History of the Potato

As a staple of the global diet the potato is worth this digestible book devoted to its biology, history and social influence. Times Thought-provoking...Without the potato, most of us wouldn't be here. And without the potato, we won't be going anywhere The Guardian Traversing imperialism, politics, technology and diet, Reader's elegantly written, discursive book weaves the progress of centuries and continents together in the story of the potato's ascendancy Daily Telegraph This accessible account embraces the latest scholarship and addresses the failings of previous works on the subject. Indeed the book, like the tuber it describes, fills a void: the spud now has the biography it deserves Economist The most nourishing book of the month Guardian