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Why Food Matters

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( 119 ratings, 10 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
Why Food Matters by Paul Freedman delves into the historical, cultural, and societal impact of food and its essential role in human civilisation. The book explores how food shapes our identities, influences social structures, and reflects cultural values over time. Freedman invites readers to consider the profound significance of food beyond mere sustenance.
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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 interested in exploring the historical, cultural, and social significance of food beyond just nourishment. It delves into how food shapes aspects of identity, politics, and philosophy, making it a fascinating read for anyone curious about the deeper connections between our meals and our lives.

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An award-winning historian makes the case for food’s cultural importance, stressing its crucial role throughout human history

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

From the author of Ten Restaurants That Changed America, an exploration of food’s cultural importance and its crucial role throughout human history

“A rich and fascinating narrative that reaches deep into the historical and cultural larder of societal experience, powerfully illustrating the myriad ways that food matters as an essential condiment for humanity.”—Danny Meyer, founder of Union Square Hospitality Group and Shake Shack

Why Food Matters poses the question: Why does food matter? Historically, food has not always been considered a serious subject on par with, for instance, a performance art like opera or a humanities discipline like philosophy. Necessity, ubiquity, and repetition contribute to the apparent banality of food, but these attributes don’t capture food’s emotional and cultural range, from the quotidian to the exquisite.

In this short, passionate book, Paul Freedman makes the case for food’s vital importance, stressing its crucial role in the evolution of human identity and human civilizations. Freedman presents a highly readable and illuminating account of food’s unique role in our lives. It is a way to express community and celebration, but it can also be divisive.

This wide-ranging book is a must-read for food lovers and all those interested in how cultures and identities are formed and maintained.

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  • Why Food Matters
    From the author of Ten Restaurants That Changed America, an exploration of food’s cultural importance and its crucial role throughout human history “A rich and fascinating narrative that reaches deep into the historical and cultural larder of societal experience, powerfully illustrating the myriad ways that food matters as an essential condiment for humanity.”—Danny Meyer, founder of Union Square Hospitality Group...
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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?

Why Food Matters by Paul Freedman has received praise for its scholarly yet engaging approach to food history. Reviewers appreciate Freedman's ability to connect intricate historical details with broader cultural and societal themes. His work is noted for being both informative and entertaining, with a wide-ranging scope that examines how food plays a critical role in shaping identity and culture, offering readers insights and delightful revelations about the culinary past and present.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300268089

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 November 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 216

About the Author

Paul Freedman is Chester D. Tripp Professor of History at Yale University. He specializes in medieval social history, the history of Spain, comparative studies of the peasantry, trade in luxury products, and the history of cuisine.

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