I remember no mention of the tremendous historical importance of salt in any of my history classes. ( )

Kurlansky's 'Salt' is really interesting. His book 'Cod' is really, really not. ( )

A more accurate title would be "A World History Through Salt". Really is a history of the world by following salt usage, production, and trade. ( )

Salt disabused me of a few things I thought I knew about the history of salt that were wrong (or at least I assume they were, since I can't imagine how they'd have been left out if they were true) and taught me a lot more.

If you start with the assumption that by telling world history through the lens of salt, as it were, the history will be a little skewed, it is an excellent book. Was salt really a major driving force in the US Civil War? Probably not to the degree you might think if this was your only source. Was it still at least tactically important? Almost certainly.

The history is engaging and easy to read covering with fact or reasonable conjecture the involvement of salt across a few thousand years of human history. Along the way it touches on some other interesting technologies, developments, and events (drilling techniques, canal building, India and British colonial policy to name a few). And for someone who just enjoys collecting random bits of information to annoy their friends at parties it is a great source of information. For instance, did you know that ketchup was originally a salt-preserved fish sauce?

I can easily see how Kurlansky would arrive at a book on salt after writing a book on Cod, since salt is so heavily involved in food preservation, especially fish. Much as like this one, I'm not sure I'm ready to run out and read another one of his food-centered histories. ( )

As unlikely as it sounds, this book about common salt is truly fascinating. Kurlansky tracks the progress (and transgressions) of humans and civilizations as they discover the amazing powers of salt. Empires rise and fall, inventions abound, daily diets and world economies are all dramatically transformed and it's all because of an inexpensive substance most of us take for granted. I found "Salt" to be a very tasty educational epic consisting of a little basic chemistry, some fundamental geology, a hint of art, a good dose of engineering, some light humor, a smidgeon of cooking and a generous portion of world history. I doubt anyone who reads this book will ever look at their salt shaker the same way again. Definitely worth the read. ( )