Food, an Authoritative and Visual History and Dictionary of the Foods of the World

by Waverley Root

Book Overview

Large food dictionary/encyclopedia. 8.5" X 11" X 2" This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671225898
• ISBN13: 9780671225896
• Release Date: October 1980
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 602 Pages
• Weight: 3.70 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The best book about edibles - ever!

I bought this book when it was first published in 1980 as a Christmas gift to my folks. Last year after moving my mom, she asked if I would like to keep it. I thought it would be fun to look at, but I had no idea what an incredible resource it is! A-Z, if it is edible, it is in here. Complete with a wonderful historical write up for major entries. This is in my opinion the ultimate resource for edible objects. I highly recommend "Food"!

Lots of obscure (but interesting) information

Mr. Root appears to have done his homework. He discusses the origins of virtually every western food. I particularly found the information on the development of both vegetables and animals through selective breeding to be interesting. For instance, I was intrigued to learn that cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, collards and kohlrabi were all developed from the same plant. It is certainly not a long stretch to consider selective breeding as early genetic engineering.

This essential book IS back in print!

I am a writer, currently working on a book about the dining table throughout history.