These in-depth, historical accounts of small, overlooked, or seemingly ordinary subjects are fascinating and hard to put down.
Peanut butter is not as all-American as once thought. The plant and the butter have their origins in South America. Because of Spanish and Portuguese traders the plant made its way to India, Malaya, China, other parts of Asia, and Africa where it came to the United States on slave ships. Many more facts are in this informative and entertaining history, with recipes and a "Peanut Butter Time Line" for its history in America, 1894-2011.
The history and inventiveness of alcohol is explored in colorful detail, leaving the reader wondering, “What hasn’t been fermented and drunk?”
Over the past few years heirloom vegetables have been the rage, but why? Sociologist Jennifer Jordan analyzes the big picture about this growing interest. One aspect is flavor, and another is nostagia for the memory of vegetables and fruits that really, truly had some unique fragrance and flavor.
Between 1885 and 1917, Carl Faberge made 50 "imperial eggs" for the czars. During the Russian Revolution, the eggs were smuggled out of the country or sold to fund the new communist government. Not only does Faber find out what happened to the imperial eggs, he also gives readers a gripping story of war and revolt, the biography of a brilliant craftsman and businessman, and the caché the eggs still have today.