Have you ever looked at a picture like this and asked yourself:
“How did we get here?”
Yeah, so did I. But “get here” we did. As you all know, I post LOTS of stories about mega food like this:
And I love it all. But, what led us to a time in history when we could pile food up as high as the stars? Well, I have your answer with a terrific book that topped my list of “Books I Read In December” – and it tells you the story of our food – with a very straightforward title:
“Food In History”, by Reay Tannahill
I found this book used, and it intrigued me. Here is what a reader said about this terrific, comprehensive look at food:
“‘Food in History’ is an excellent introduction to a piece of human history that is probably so obviously important it’s not widely researched: the crucial part that food played and plays in human society.”
And crucial it is, but every time you wonder who exactly came up with the idea of cracking open an Oyster and eating it raw, then this is the book for you!
Author Reay Tannahill was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and wrote many books, including this one published in 1973. She tackled the subject of food around the world and the factors that have influenced what and how we eat.
You will learn about how the spice trade was a leading factor in the “Age of Exploration”, and that the subject of crop rotation in the early Middle Ages “killed more than one child’s interest in history”- as the author rightly points out!
But Tannahill goes much farther than that in a very entertaining way, showing the development of eating habits from neolithic man up to the early/mid 20th Century. Along the way, the author points out some truths that will be unpleasant to the food faddists of the early 21st Century:
Humans ARE omnivores by evolution, and salt is also an evolution-induced craving, innate in us, NOT learned.
In a survey like this one, it can’t do justice to EVERY culture’s cuisine, but it does come close. Roman, Arab, Indian, Asian, and the influence of the Americas on European foods are well covered. The prose is lively, much wittier than I thought it would be given the subject, but also scholastic – so I believed what I was reading.
Look at just a few of the topics covered:
Food And Cooking Before 10,000 BC
Talk about old food! Tannahill digs into life – and eating – in a prehistoric time.
And speaking of “old food”, did you know that the cultivation of the olive began 6,000 years ago along the Mediterranean?
As someone who LOVES olives of all shapes and sizes, it was interesting to get a brief look at where the importance of olives began…and of course, the book discusses another important “food group”:
US!
Cannibalism!
Yes, at one time in our world’s history, we were ALL on the menu! The book uses all of the world’s history to tell us how and who we ate to get where we are today!
In fact, there are parts of the world that reported cannibalism into the 1970’s, so think about that!
How Drinking Began!
And perhaps the most important chapter of the book: Tannahill talks about alcohol around the world – how and why is was consumed…
Yes, the book includes these words of wisdom:
“Drinke is their whole desire, the pot is all their pride, The sobrest head doth once a day stand needfull of a guide.”
And how can you argue with that? And wine can be very good for you and here are some of the reasons why:
So, dig in and learn how we ate throughout history – and drank too!
Tannahill died in 2007, but her books are still readily available. Here’s another book I enjoyed this month:
Meet Me In “Kasane” by Brigitta Zwani
Having gone on my first safari in Africa this past summer, I was intrigued by this novel by Brigitta Zwani. You see, my wife and I connected in Kasane on our flight from a Botswana safari lodge to Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls…and I got a shot of the town from the air as we landed in Kasane!
“Kasane” is a story of a young woman, Tori, as she starts an adventure in Kasane, home to one of the world’s hidden wonders. A town known for its casual wildlife. A town where warthogs roam the streets and elephants wander from Choppies to Shoprite.
The book is an interesting mix of mystery and a woman finding her way in life, as Tori forms new friendships, reconnects with old acquaintances, and creates unbreakable bonds, while trying to solve a mind-boggling mystery that lurks in the Chobe.
Here is the Kasane airport by the way, and that’s my wife Alex in front of the plane we were about to board – yes, that’s how small it was!
We had just come from the Little Duma Tao safari lodge on Botswana’s Linyanti River, and were headed to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Here’s what the landscape is like as you fly over:
“Kasane” is a great look at life in this amazingly barren landscape that is, indeed teeming with life! Here’s one of our encounters here – Botswana is home to elephants, who will surround you as you drive:
Brigitta Zwani has a number of other books that show life in this area and I plan on reading more of her work!
Botswana is an incredible country, and I shared a story about the importance of their conservation efforts in keeping the animals safe and free to roam – here’s that story:
Thanks to Deb for putting together this look at “what’s on your bookshelf” in December…see all of the other people who have contributed great books to share!
Just click here!
If you enjoy these posts, why not subscribe and never miss out? It’s easy, and there are NO ads of any kind, just stuff I like…click on the main page and “follow” me on the upper right…
If you enjoy these moments, please share on social media – thanks!
Let me know if you plan to dip into the “history of food!”
Categories: Uncategorized
johnrieber 
I’d love to read the history of food book, I’m always amazed by the origin stories of even one specific type of food
LikeLiked by 1 person
I own books about Lobster, potatoes, sushi, salt, cod and more….I guess I love the origin stories too! thanks for the note!
LikeLike
Sounds like a fascinating book….as much as I love food it will make great reading….I do enjoy a good Cabernet….have a great day chuq
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers!
LikeLike
The history of food is fascinating indeed. I have always wondered how they first got the idea of making bread, which soon became the staple food of every civilisation on earth, in one form or another. Shared on Twitter, John.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike