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Spoiled

The Myth of Milk as Superfood
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( 25 ratings, 11 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Spoiled by Anne Mendelson delves into the socio-political impacts of military interventions and their often unintended economic and cultural ramifications. It examines historical events to highlight the complexities of foreign policies and the consequences faced by nations involved in these power dynamics. The book offers a deep analysis of military influence on societal structures without giving away specific plot details.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by the history of consumer culture and how it intertwines with military strategies. It offers insightful perspectives on societal shifts and the influence of affluence on historical events.

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Spoiled is an unflinching and meticulous critique of the glorification of fluid milk and its alleged universal benefits. Anne Mendelson’s groundbreaking book chronicles the story of milk from the Stone Age peoples who first domesticated cows, goats, and sheep to today’s troubled dairy industry.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Why is cows' milk, which few nonwhite people can digest, promoted as a science-backed dietary necessity in countries where the majority of the population is lactose-intolerant? Why are gigantic new dairy farms permitted to deplete the sparse water resources of desert ecosystems? Why do thousands of U.S. dairy farmers every year give up after struggling to recoup production costs against plummeting wholesale prices?

Exploring these questions and many more, Spoiled is an unflinching and meticulous critique of the glorification of fluid milk and its alleged universal benefits. Anne Mendelson's groundbreaking book chronicles the story of milk from the Stone Age peoples who first domesticated cows, goats, and sheep to today's troubled dairy industry. Spoiled shows that drinking fresh milk was rare until Western scientific experts who were unaware of genetic differences in the ability to digest lactose deemed it superior to traditional fermented dairy products. Their flawed beliefs fueled the growth of a massive and environmentally devastating industry that turned milk into a cheap, ubiquitous commodity.

Mendelson's wide-ranging account also examines the consequences of homogenization and refrigeration technologies, the toll that modern farming takes on dairy cows, and changing perceptions of raw milk since the advent of pasteurization. Unraveling the myths and misconceptions that prop up the dairy industry, Spoiled calls for more sustainable, healthful futures in our relationship with milk and the animals that provide it.

Series: Arts and Traditions of the Table: Perspectives on Culinary History

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  • Spoiled
    Why is cows' milk, which few nonwhite people can digest, promoted as a science-backed dietary necessity in countries where the majority of the population is lactose-intolerant? Why are gigantic new dairy farms permitted to deplete the sparse water resources of desert ecosystems? Why do thousands of U.S. dairy farmers every year give up after struggling to recoup production costs against...
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    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • The Fulton Fish Market
    The Fulton Fish Market stands out as an iconic New York institution. At first a neighbourhood retail market for many different kinds of food, it became the nation's largest fish and seafood wholesaling centre by the late nineteenth century. Waves of immigrants worked at the Fulton Fish Market and then introduced the rest of the city to their seafood traditions....
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  • The Fulton Fish Market
    The Fulton Fish Market stands out as an iconic New York institution. At first a neighbourhood retail market for many different kinds of food, it became the nation's largest fish and seafood wholesaling centre by the late nineteenth century. Waves of immigrants worked at the Fulton Fish Market and then introduced the rest of the city to their seafood traditions....
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Spoiled by Anne Mendelson is widely praised for its in-depth exploration of the history and controversies surrounding milk in Britain and America. Reviewers commend Mendelson's ability to demystify common misconceptions about milk through comprehensive research and engaging writing. The book is noted for being both informative and accessible, offering a detailed yet readable account that challenges conventional views on dairy consumption and production.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780231188180

Publisher: Columbia University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 25 April 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Columbia University Press

Illustration: no art

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 416

About the Author

Anne Mendelson is a culinary historian and freelance writer specializing in food-related subjects. Her most recent book is Chow Chop Suey: Food and the Chinese American Journey (Columbia, 2016).

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