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The Potato

How the Humble Spud Rescued the Western World

By Larry Zuckerman

(2)

| Paperback | 9780865475786

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Book Description

The Potato tells the story of how a humble vegetable, once regarded as trash food, had as revolutionary an impact on Western history as the railroad or the automobile. Using Ireland, England, France, and the United States as examples, Larry Zuckerman shows how daily life from the 1770s until Continue

1 Review

This is a fairly short book on how the tuber was initially introduced into Western culture, and how it overcame numerous prejudices and obstacles to become a food staple the world over. There are some dry sections in the book, but one does learn a great deal about how potatoes were often loathed or ... (continue)

This is a fairly short book on how the tuber was initially introduced into Western culture, and how it overcame numerous prejudices and obstacles to become a food staple the world over. There are some dry sections in the book, but one does learn a great deal about how potatoes were often loathed or feared, including the early resistance to the legendary fish and chips. Most vivid is the chapter on the Irish Potato Famine, and the potato’s role in it(big but not solely responsible as many believe). I am glad I read it, which is fine praise indeed for a book on a topic you might deride with scorn or simply take for granted.

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Jason said on May 22, 2009 | Add your feedback