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Food: A Cultural Culinary History

By: Ken Albala, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Ken Albala
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Publisher's Summary

Eating is an indispensable human activity. As a result, whether we realize it or not, the drive to obtain food has been a major catalyst across all of history, from prehistoric times to the present. Epicure Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin said it best: "Gastronomy governs the whole life of man."

In fact, civilization itself began in the quest for food. Humanity's transition to agriculture was not only the greatest social revolution in history, but it directly produced the structures and institutions we call "civilization."

In 36 fascinating lectures, award-winning Professor Albala puts this extraordinary subject on the table, taking you on an enthralling journey into the human relationship to food. With this innovative course, you'll travel the world discovering fascinating food lore and culture of all regions and eras - as an eye-opening lesson in history as well as a unique window on what we eat today.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2013 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2013 The Great Courses

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    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful series.

Once, while hopelessly lost and driving in the country, miles from anywhere, I came across a pub surrounded by dense forest and a surprising number of parked cars. We went in and found a bustling restaurant, filled to capacity. mystified, for we were hundreds of miles from the nearest city, we asked for a table. The look we received! We were told that it was usual to bookonths in advance. For a country pub? In the middle of nowhere? A table was very generously given to us, located in a far corner of the room. We scanned the menu and ordered what turned out to be the best damn meal of my life. Surprised! Absolutely. We had stumbled upon a great gastronomic secret, known to only an elite few. And what a treat! So why tell this anecdote here? Because it has to do with food, sure. But there is an analogy here, because this lecture series was also a wonderful surprise. Like that jewel of a pub, found by chance and ever after revered, this lecture series is similarly a fortunate discovery, to be treasured ever after. Do not hesitate. Purchase this wonderful series of lectures. It is so much more than what you can possibly expect. Thank you Ken, for this great and enduring gift.

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14 people found this helpful

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Seriously interesting

If you are interested in the history of food across the globe, then like me you will find the majority of these lectures seriously interesting. The lectures start from the very earliest of recorded records of food and eating to the current day, the more recent years being pretty disturbing particularly if you happen to be Americans, fortunately I’m not. For instance, did you know that in the US what they call cheese is actually only 51% actual cheese, the rest being fillers and additives. Argh!

A word of warning, these lectures are likely to make you want to go back to basics, including buying your own whole wheat and grinding it for your own fresh whole wheat breads and such because the vast majority of bread produced is using wheat that has had all its nutritional value removed in order to be made from white flour. If however you do listen and choose to learn from history, you are likely to become a much healthier version of yourself.

I highly recommended this book. 🐨

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5 people found this helpful

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Hungry for more

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

My friend, you are what you eat, and what you eat is culturally and historically determined and if you want to understand this in any depth you need to listen to this series. You can eat donuts at the same time.

What other book might you compare Food: A Cultural Culinary History to, and why?

It is much like other lecture series but with the added advantage of being endlessly fascinating.

What about Professor Ken Albala’s performance did you like?

I like his pace and voice. He adds personal touches and emphases which create interest and a sense that he's talking to you, not just a hall of clapping robots.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

What has moved me is the content of the course that has stayed with me. From the earliest human diet, to the Roman feasts, migration of grains and plants, food fashion, the English diet, French court food and the restaurant code, health foods, all the hits are here.

Any additional comments?

There is no competition for fawning reviewers to get invited to one of Professor Ken Albala's dinner parties, but can I please be anyway?

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3 people found this helpful

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Can't really call this a history

This book is essentially a long list of anecdotes which are sometimes interesting sometimes not. The historical accuracy of the lectures are inaccurate in many places, jaw droppingly so in some cases. I don't think this is worthy to be included within the great courses library.

Rather than being a course about the culinary history of food I think this would be more accurately marketed as a casual walkthrough of food use in human history.

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2 people found this helpful

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Very interesting

As a nutritionist and foodie, the history of food has always fascinated me. And this course has only served to interest me further. Delightful and interesting. Prof Albala has a nice oratory style which kept me engaged throughout the whole 36 hours. Highly recommended to all.

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New perspectives on food

Excellent review on all aspects of the "thing" that makes human beings tick - food! The information is so detailed and the presenter makes listening so enjoyable. His pronunciation of the different languages is excellent.

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2 people found this helpful

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Very enjoyable!

Fantastic course - I love histories viewed through specific lenses (art, architecture, music, medicine) so this was always going to be interesting for me, but this wasn't just interesting, it's also entertaining. Great lecturer! Ken Albala is superb! He makes all the aspects of his lecture really come to life. Brilliant!

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2 people found this helpful

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good for factual entertainment and global overview

I wanted more detail and discussion on a few things and it seemed to lose focus a bit at the end. Other than that, informative and enjoyable.

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2 people found this helpful

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Good but not great.

I expected it to be a culinary history of the world, but it was totally concentrated on Europe in the earlier parts and America in the end. There was little or no effort spent on Indian, Chinese, Asian food.

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1 person found this helpful

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Now on my third listen!

I get more out of this each time I listen. Such an interesting view of world history with diverse ideas. One of my favourite audio books. incidently the pdf that goes with it is substantial and excellent.

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