{"product_id":"beans-9781350022270","title":"Beans","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is the story of the bean, the staple food cultivated by humans for over 10,000 years.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom the lentil to the soybean, every civilization on the planet has cultivated its own species of bean. The humble bean has always attracted attention - from Pythagoras'' notion that the bean hosted a human soul to St. Jerome''s indictment against bean-eating in convents (because they tickle the genitals), to current research into the deadly toxins contained in the most commonly eaten beans. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOver time, the bean has been both scorned as poor man''s meat and praised as health-giving, even patriotic. Attitudes to this most basic of foodstuffs have always revealed a great deal about a society. Featuring a new preface from author Ken Albala, \u003ci\u003eBeans: A History \u003c\/i\u003etakes the reader on a fascinating journey across cuisines and cultures.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA vividly entertaining history of the humble bean takes the reader on a curious, surprising and exciting journey across epochs, continents and cultures. * Raymond Blanc *\u003cbr\u003eCharming. * New York Times *\u003cbr\u003eI would strongly urge a reading of \u003ci\u003eBeans\u003c\/i\u003e by Ken Albala which entertainingly unravels that most complicated of legumes through space and time. * The Guardian *\u003cbr\u003eFresh and engaging from the start ... A must have for any serious foodie. * The Telegraph *\u003cbr\u003eExtraordinarily detailed and amusing. ... It is a totally endearing mixture of expertise and whimsy and should, by rights, be a bestseller. * The Times *\u003cbr\u003eAlbala's range of geographical, historical and cultural references is extremely impressive. * Ian Sansom, Saturday Guardian *\u003cbr\u003eA great read, full of exotic and intriguing information and thoroughly recommended. * Times Higher Education Supplement *\u003cbr\u003eAlbala traces the histories of a wide range of beans and the result is an enthusiastic book which deploys commendable scholarship with the lightest of touches. * History Today *\u003cbr\u003eWho ever knew that beans were so complicated and interesting. Told in fascinating detail by Ken Albala, \u003ci\u003eBeans: A Histor\u003c\/i\u003ey is an instructional book that reads like a novel. * Charlie Palmer *\u003cbr\u003eHere is the first biography of beans presented by Ken Albala in vivid prose. Gut-buster or aphrodisiac,  lowly legume or savior of civilization, the bean is more significant than we ever realized. * Darra Goldstein *\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBeans\u003c\/i\u003e is a lyrical book. It is a tale well told filled with unusual twists and turns with surprises popping up in almost every paragraph. * Andrew F. Smith, editor of the Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America *\u003cbr\u003eLucky beans who have at last found their Homer. Who knew that the history of the Western world and parts of Asia could be illumined through the evolution of the lowly bean in its multiple forms from fava to soy? No one is better equipped than this skilled historian to wrap history, science, legend, folklore and fakelore in an entertaining narrative that delights while it informs.  This is the most digestible bean dish I've ever encountered and all I want is more. * Betty Fussell, author of The Story of Corn and I Hear America Cooking: The Cooks and Recipes of American Regional Cuisine *\u003cbr\u003eIn this delightful, informative bean biography, the author unravels the history, science and culture of beans across the world. * Sainsbury Magazine *\u003cbr\u003eSurprisingly readable and full of fascinating detail. ... \u003ci\u003eBeans: A History\u003c\/i\u003e would make a valuable addition to the bookshelf of anyone hungry to know the cultural and gastronomic history of the food on their plate. * Oxford Vegetarians *\u003cbr\u003eI was immediately hooked. What a great combination of scholarly commitment and good humour! * Jane Bowler, The Vegetarian *\u003cbr\u003eThere appears to be very little Ken Albala doesn't know about the humble bean. ... an authentic and inclusive history. * Australian Gormet Pages Newsletter *\u003cbr\u003eA light-hearted and entertaining narrative. * Artisan *\u003cbr\u003eWith not a pod left unshelled,\u003ci\u003e Beans\u003c\/i\u003e is just plain fun to read thanks to author Ken Albala's sense of humour, devotion to scholarly detail and breezy writing style. * The Roanoke Times *\u003cbr\u003eBy successfully integrating history, geography, botany, and politics into understanding beans, Albala demonstrates the wonder of liberal education itself. * The AAG Review of Books *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eList of Recipes Preface, Acknowledgements and a Note on Recipes 1. Introduction  2. Lentils: Fertile Crescent  3. Lupines: Europe and Andes  4. Fava Beans: Europe 5. Peas, Chickpeas and Pigeon Peas 6. Oddballs and Villains  7. Mung and the Vignas: India 8. Black-eyed Peas: Africa, Soul Food  9. \u003ci\u003ePhaseolus vulgaris: \u003c\/i\u003eMexico and the World  10. Limas and the Lesser Phaseoli: Andes  11. Tepary beans: Native Americans  12. Soy: China, Japan and the World Postscript Bibliography Index","brand":"Bloomsbury Publishing PLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51019623727447,"sku":"9781350022270","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781350022270.jpg?v=1750780818","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/beans-9781350022270","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}