Mark Kurlansky

The Basque History of the World by Mark Kurlansky is an engrossing tapestry woven from the threads of history, culture, and personal narratives, offering an in-depth exploration of the Basque people. Kurlansky starts with an engaging journey into the origins of the Basques, whose roots trace back to Europe’s prehistory. The book delves into the mysteries surrounding their unique language,...

Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky is a fascinating deep dive into the history of a fish that has had an outsized impact on world events. This seemingly simple fish has been at the heart of wars, driven economic booms, and shaped the very diets of nations. Kurlansky’s narrative spans over a thousand...

Life-changing food adventures around the world. A Moveable Feast is a collection of traveller's tales set around the world. It transforms the planet into an endless all-you-can-eat buffet for mind, soul, and stomach. Writers include food celebrities Anthony Bourdain, Matt Preston, and Andrew Zimmern. Edited by Don George.

Paper is one of the simplest and most essential pieces of human technology. For the past two millennia, the ability to produce it in ever more efficient ways has supported the proliferation of literacy, media, religion, education, commerce, and art; it has formed the foundation of civilizations, promoting revolutions and restoring stability. By tracing paper’s evolution from antiquity to the...

An Eater Best Food Book of 2023A Smithsonian Best Food Book of 2023 From the New York Times-bestselling author of Cod and Salt, a delectable look at the cultural, historical, and gastronomical layers of one of the world’s most beloved culinary staples—featuring original illustrations and recipes from around the world. As Julia Child once said, “It is hard to imagine...

The majestic and mysterious salmon… Over the centuries, salmon have been a vital resource, a dietary staple and an irresistible catch. But there is so much more to this extraordinary fish. As Mark Kurlansky reveals, salmon persist as a barometer for the health of our planet. Centuries of our greatest assaults on nature can be seen in their harrowing yet...

"In championing a critically important part of the natural world, Kurlansky sounds an urgent alarm that commands our attention." - Kirkus Reviews "Henry David Thoreau wrote, 'Who hears the fishes when they cry?' Maybe we need to go down to the river bank and try to listen." In what he says is the most important piece of environmental writing in...

National Outdoor Book Award Winner for Outdoor Literature From the award-winning, bestselling author of Cod—the irresistible story of the science, history, art, and culture of the least efficient way to catch a fish. Fly fishing, historian Mark Kurlansky has found, is a battle of wits, fly fisher vs. fish—and the fly fisher does not always (or often) win. The targets—salmon,...

Big lies are told by governments, politicians, and corporations to avoid responsibility, cast blame on the innocent, win elections, disguise intent, create chaos, and gain power and wealth. Big lies are as old as civilisation. They corrupt public understanding and discourse, turn science upside down, and reinvent history. They prevent humanity from addressing critical challenges. They perpetuate injustices. They destabilise...

Big lies are told by governments, politicians, and corporations to avoid responsibility, cast blame on the innocent, win elections, disguise intent, create chaos, and gain power and wealth. Big lies are as old as civilisation. They corrupt public understanding and discourse, turn science upside down, and reinvent history. They prevent humanity from addressing critical challenges. They perpetuate injustices. They destabilise...

From New York Times bestselling author Mark Kurlansky, a delectable novel follows one Manhattan block as an ancient cheesecake recipe—and a conniving landlord—changes the Upper West Side forever. West 86th Street knows its desserts. It’s the 1970s, and poppyseed strudel, praline ice cream cake, and New York cheesecake are as integral to Manhattan’s Upper West Side as clustered pigeons, suited...

An Eater Best Food Book of 2023A Smithsonian Best Food Book of 2023 From the New York Times-bestselling author of Cod and Salt, a delectable look at the cultural, historical, and gastronomical layers of one of the world’s most beloved culinary staples—featuring original illustrations and recipes from around the world—now in paperback. As Julia Child once said, “It is hard...

National Outdoor Book Award Winner for Outdoor Literature From the award-winning, bestselling author of Cod—the irresistible story of the science, history, art, and culture of the least efficient way to catch a fish. Fly fishing, historian Mark Kurlansky has found, is a battle of wits, fly fisher vs. fish—and the fly fisher does not always (or often) win. The targets—salmon,...

A charming and gorgeously illustrated collection of essays on fish and fishing by Mark Kurlansky, the acclaimed bestselling author of Cod and Salt. Covering everything from techniques and methods to fishing culture, ecology, and cooking and eating one's catch, Kurlansky guides readers through the waters and into the mind of the fish through fascinating and entertaining anecdotes, all in his...

Discover the extraordinary journey of an essential mineral in Salt by Mark Kurlansky. This compelling book narrates the fascinating history of salt and its profound impact on human civilisation. Through an intricate weaving of various tales, the book explores how this humble yet vital substance has been more than just a seasoning; it has been a cornerstone of empires, a...