babble book club: 'Salt: A World History'

39 posts / 0 new

Wed, 2014-02-26 13:17

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Up next: 'Salt: A World History' by Mark Kurlansky with a final discussion date of March 21 at 2pm EST where more users will be online to discuss the book in real time, but of course, conversation and discussion is encouraged throughout the reading time.

This book is a bit of a departure for the bbc, or at least according to the cover. Why? Well, it's about salt. Not politics, not CanLit, not activism, but salt. But of course, in the hands of a good writer, who knows what the wonderful topic, and seasoning, salt will bring us!

Here's a snippet of the summary:

The only rock we eat, salt has shaped civilization from the very beginning, and its story is a glittering, often surprising part of the history of humankind. A substance so valuable it served as currency, salt has influenced the establishment of trade routes and cities, provoked and financed wars, secured empires, and inspired revolutions.

Sounds pretty good!

This book is widely available at libraries, local bookstores and online as well. Please let us know if you are having trouble tracking down this title, and we'll do our best to help out!

Happy reading!

Issues Pages:

Arts & Culture

Food & Health

Wed, 2014-02-26 13:18

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

My library copy came in last week (this advanced reading schedule is working out well) and I'm really excited to dive in.

Trying to first get a little caught up on our reading schedule, having not been able to finish 'The Tiger's Wife' and appropriately weigh in. But, regardless, will be back in full action for this read!

My first impression of this book is: holy crap. this seems really cool and intriguing.

Wed, 2014-02-26 15:09

Marianne Trench

I'm new to the club and have not caught up with the reading selections yet..I started 'Tiger's Wife' and 'Inconvenient Indian' but didn't finish either in time for discussion..I've read the picture book version of "Salt" by Mark Kurlansky and was very inspired by it so am happy to check out the adult text version..happy reading to you all..(his other picture book about cod (The Cod's Tale) is also brilliant and has an adult version as well)

Wed, 2014-02-26 17:33

Catchfire

No worries, Marianne Trench! Welcome to the book club. I think the last book club book I finished was...um....

Anyway, with our good intentions we can always go back to those discussions which are ongoing once we actually finish/read the books. I agree that Kurlansky's book loooks interesting!

Wed, 2014-02-26 17:37

6079_Smith_W

Looks interesting!

Wed, 2014-02-26 17:39

Unionist

It's long. Sigh. And I still don't know where he stands on the sodium vs. chlorine debate.

I'm going to suggest "A Short History of Progress" for our next nonfiction. Gotta find that thread.

Wed, 2014-02-26 17:53

6079_Smith_W

Only 450 pages. I repeat... Interesting!

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2002/feb/16/historybooks.highereducation

Thu, 2014-02-27 08:12

Caissa

It's sitting on my desk. Probably will start reading it in the second week of March. Can we pick a few short selections (under 200 pages). The Cmmunist Manifesto comes to mind.

Thu, 2014-02-27 09:46

Unionist

Caissa wrote:

Can we pick a few short selections (under 200 pages). The Cmmunist Manifesto comes to mind.

What did you think of my suggestion of Ronald Wright's book (132 pages in some editions)? I loved it and am game to try again.

As for the Communist Manifesto - sure, why not - but I know your tricks. Once we bite, you'll have us reading all volumes of Capital and Theories of Surplus Value. Nice try.

Thu, 2014-02-27 11:43

#10

infracaninophile $infracaninophile's picture$

Sadly, there are no copies at all in the collection of my large urban library system. No ebooks or audio versions either. Sigh. It's the kind of book I like to read, too.

Thu, 2014-02-27 19:50

#11

Unionist

infracaninophile wrote:

Sadly, there are no copies at all in the collection of my large urban library system. No ebooks or audio versions either. Sigh. It's the kind of book I like to read, too.

Check your pms, friend.

Fri, 2014-02-28 13:43

#12

Caissa

Is this the Ronald Wright book, Unionist? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Short_History_of_Progress

Fri, 2014-02-28 17:14

#13

Unionist

Yes.

ETA: Hahahaha, here's the best recommendation I've seen, from your Wikipedia link:

Quote:
On the other hand, in the National Post review, Peter Foster gave a negative review, chiding Wright for "not having the slightest clue about how economies work, or how, by their fundamental nature, markets are both moral and sustainable." Foster ended his review by insulting Wright's intellect, "What really needs some psychological excavation is Ronald Wright's mind, which carries a set of inflated, emotionally based moralistic assumptions derived from the structure of his primitive ignorance about markets and economics."

How can you not read it now?

Mon, 2014-03-03 09:05

#14

Caissa

I think it is an excellent choice.

Sun, 2014-03-09 23:08

#15

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

1. I didn't realize this was so long -- my bad!

2. Just started this evening -- so far so good. I will now start using the line "I love you like salt"

3. Welcome Marianne Trench! We're always excited to have new people join the conversation -- always feel free to share whatever you like about the books while you reading and what not, and don't worry if you don't have the chance to finish some of the selections. I think all but a few of us have slipped up (yours truly included. numerous times over.) and that is why we started the reading schedule as well! Excited to hear your thoughts about Salt (and the comparisons to his cod book as well).

4. infracaninophile -- that is the worst -- did U help you out, or can we figure something else out? What's your branch?

Mon, 2014-03-10 08:30

#16

Caissa

I am 3 chapters in. I think we need to start going for shorter works. That said I'll continue reading other works along with it. I am reading one called The Turkish Gambit that included a chess simultaneous in 1877 crimea.

Mon, 2014-03-10 16:00

#17

infracaninophile $infracaninophile's picture$

Kaitlin McNabb wrote:
4. infracaninophile -- that is the worst -- did U help you out, or can we figure something else out? What's your branch?

Solidarity forever! Yes, Unionist helped me out. I've started reading it and it's engrossing from page 1. I like these books that are a type of cultural or intellectual history -- salt is a real substance, not an idea, but the format is similar. Some of my favourites in that genre include The Pursuit of the Millenium, The Great Chain of Being, Guns, Germs and Steel and, also by Jared Diamond, Collapse.

I was quite surprised that my library --hpl.ca -- did not have any copies at all in any format. Interlibrary loan could have got it from Burlington but that would have taken too long.

Wed, 2014-03-12 07:54

#18

Caissa

I enjoy these types of histories as well. Fernand Braudel and the Annales school are probably the precursers of Salt and histories of its ilk. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernand_Braudel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annales_School

Mon, 2014-03-17 14:57

#19

Caissa

Any interest in postponing this discussion until the 28th?

Mon, 2014-03-17 19:03

#20

infracaninophile $infracaninophile's picture$

Caissa wrote:

Any interest in postponing this discussion until the 28th?

Works for me. I'm not available on the 21st in any event.

Wed, 2014-03-19 20:01

#21

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Oh sure, I'm happy to postpone the discussion until the 28th. I'll put the announcement in Facebook group as well then.

Wed, 2014-03-19 20:03

#22

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Many locals believed that the holes were the result of abandoned salt mines collapsing. But mining interests pointed out that the sinkholes were not appearing near abandoned shafts. By the last two decades of the eigteenth century, when a new hole sunk every year or two, it started to appear that there was a relationship between the increasing quantities of salt being produced and the collapsing of the earth.

CLASSIC SPIN

(this part made me laugh forever)

Fri, 2014-03-21 09:17

#23

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Finished Salt last night, and I'll save my BEST thoughts for next week (wrote them all down). But, will share some gems now as well ;)

I enjoyed this book and found it very easy to just plod along and read. Some parts I didn't find as interesting, or thought they were too detailed, so I just skimmed along a couple pages until I found something great. I enjoyed the last section the most. Probably the second and third second action. I found parts of the first a bit ... dry?

The author also has some nuce humour in his voice at certain parts, and i found miyself chuckling out loud, which is always nice!

But I must say: WOW SALT! I never knew you.

Mon, 2014-03-24 09:35

#24

Caissa

I have 15 pages left to finish this evening.

Tue, 2014-03-25 03:35

#25

E.P.Houle

Is this discussion tohappen here in this posting format? I'll not be able to obtain/read the book by the deadline but look forward to your illumination My interest is mainly from the Hanseatic League. Salt technology made fish a long distance trade good andactually made the boats of the era(cogs) not rot. Also some canal work(super highways of the era) thogh Romans, Persians and the Chinese all did that.

Tue, 2014-03-25 10:42

#26

Caissa

Finished it last night. Some parts sailed right along and other parts were a slog.

Fri, 2014-03-28 08:42

#27

Caissa

I'll probably be a little late to the party. I have to attend a presentation at 1 p.m. EDT.

Fri, 2014-03-28 09:44

#28

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

E.P.Houle wrote:

Is this discussion tohappen here in this posting format? I'll not be able to obtain/read the book by the deadline but look forward to your illumination My interest is mainly from the Hanseatic League. Salt technology made fish a long distance trade good andactually made the boats of the era(cogs) not rot. Also some canal work(super highways of the era) thogh Romans, Persians and the Chinese all did that.

Yes it will take place here in this format. If you haven't finished the book, that is okay -- feel free to read along or join in the conversation with any thoughts.

And, when you are able to finish the book, this thread will still be here (as will we) to leave your thoughts.

Fri, 2014-03-28 09:45

#29

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Caissa wrote:

Finished it last night. Some parts sailed right along and other parts were a slog.

Yes. I felt the same way -- but thought this particular style of book, it was okay to skim along those parts that were a slog. Especially since some parts would appeal to other more, etc.

I did enjoy it. I got some funny looks from people on the subway when they saw me reading this. Also, this book is part of a list on good reads entitled "You read a book about what?"

Fri, 2014-03-28 09:51

#30

Unionist

It looks as though I may be busy this afternoon - and I haven't finished the book (not even close - too long, and didn't grab me) - so my apologies in advance. Have a great discussion! And why has no one reacted to my proposal for "A Short History of Progress"? Whom do I have to bribe in the inner circle?

Fri, 2014-03-28 13:59

#31

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Hi folks, I'm just still in a meeting, but I'm here in the background to discuss Salt. Here are some thoughts I jotted down, and will come back to actually talk about soon:

- the cyclical nature of history, food, media. Eg. 10 ways to cure bacon, source for wars, political rhetoric 293

- highlighted the same converesations happening throughout history

- relations through salt?

Fri, 2014-03-28 14:13

#32

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Haha okay, I'm back. I will unscrabble those notes there!

I couldn't help but find it funny that throughout the course of reading the political problems and social problems were not that different from today. Even the media representations of these things.

Aruging over taxation, austerity, capitalism, "who can make the best ___", etc. Not that far off from political battles being fought today, and claims like "well Canada makes the best poutine" things like that.

The media representations, "10 ways to make bacon" are eerily similar to our need to have everything in list format now as well. Oh the listicle! It's timeless!

And, I thought the way the author was able to reign everything in to the concept of "salt" was great. Sometimes he was a bit far-reaching in this attempt, but most of the time he was successful.

Fri, 2014-03-28 14:35

#33

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Oops! Seems like we've got a limited crew here today, which is okay and understandable given the length of the book and other things.

Our discussion for the next book is set for a different time and day so I wonder if that will help the final discussions? Or perhaps this book was just a dud for most people?

I will confess that for the parts I didn't like, having to read it for book club pushed me through (and my goal of not dropping books, because I do that too often)!

Fri, 2014-03-28 14:56

#34

Caissa

I am glad I read the book and probably enjoyed it because my first two degrees are in history. It did seem antiquarian and anecdoatl at tiimes rather than weaving some grand narrative of salt with a supporting thesis.

Fri, 2014-03-28 16:49

#35

sherpa-finn

Kaitlin wrote: Our discussion for the next book is set for a different time and day so I wonder if that will help the final discussions? Or perhaps this book was just a dud for most people?

Yeah, sorry, Kaitlin - this title just did not grab me, and I had a few other items on the bedside table that were ahead in the queue for strictly domestic reasons. (Christmas books not yet read: gift-givers were getting surly about lack of feedback.) Not likely that I will ever get round to this one about salt, - but I am inclined to look for his book on cod. Its the Maritime connection, I suppose. Of course, if he had just combined the two into The (Very Short) History of Salt Cod....

I am still plugging away in the workforce (while they'll have me) so mid-day availability for these discussions varies with agenda and commitments. But given advance notice, I try to negotiate the time and space.

Fri, 2014-03-28 20:05

#36

infracaninophile $infracaninophile's picture$

Unionist wrote:

And why has no one reacted to my proposal for "A Short History of Progress"? Whom do I have to bribe in the inner circle?

Feel free to bribe me, even though I am hardly in the inner circle (maybe the outer ellipse) -- I though it sounded fascinating. In fact the whole idea of "progress" is a two-edged sword, is it not? I believe the author, Ronald Wright, was a participant in a documentary I recently watched by Martin Scorsese entitled "Surviving Progress" which was gripping but not for the faint of heart.

I had to work and just got home (8 pm). Not too cognitively coherent at the moment but may be able to string some thoughts together tomorrow. The time of day is an issue for people who work regular-hour jobs. Of course any time we pick will be difficult for some, due to time zones as well as work commitments.

Mon, 2014-03-31 12:13

#37

Kaitlin McNabb Kaitlin McNabb's picture

Ya time will always be a problem. PLUS, I haven't been doing the best moderating job the last couple times either! Looking forward to the break, and having Christina do an excellent moderation job, and then come back refreshed :)

Mon, 2014-03-31 12:43

#38

Caissa

Maybe having the individual who suggests the book provide the moderation would be the way to go?

Fri, 2014-04-04 08:47

#39

Caissa

Bump.