reviews
Jan 03, 2008
Jessica
rated it: 
A great history book in the wonderful myopic vein Ginnie mentioned. I am also planning to read Rats at some point, which seems like one too.
I am baffled by some changes since the last time I was on here. "Private notes??" What the heck is that supposed to be for??? I honestly can't even begin to imagine. I'm just baffled in general by the concept of writing something that's just for your own private information on the Internet. Shouldn't you keep that written in a real life More...
I am baffled by some changes since the last time I was on here. "Private notes??" What the heck is that supposed to be for??? I honestly can't even begin to imagine. I'm just baffled in general by the concept of writing something that's just for your own private information on the Internet. Shouldn't you keep that written in a real life More...
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Nov 14, 2007
Annie
rated it: 
a fun read on how what had been an elite condiment in the middle ages became a staple of the working class diet by the 19th century.
From page 170: It is to their [planters, bankers, slavers, shippers, refiners, grocers, etc] efforts that England owed the institutionalization of a rum ration in the navy (begun 'unofficially' after the capture of Jamaica in 1655): half a pint per day from 1731 on. In the late 18th century it was increased to a pint a day for adult sailors -- much-needed More...
From page 170: It is to their [planters, bankers, slavers, shippers, refiners, grocers, etc] efforts that England owed the institutionalization of a rum ration in the navy (begun 'unofficially' after the capture of Jamaica in 1655): half a pint per day from 1731 on. In the late 18th century it was increased to a pint a day for adult sailors -- much-needed More...
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Aug 24, 2011
Malcolm
rated it:
Histories and sociologies of food stuffs have become fashionable in recent years - we've had histories of Cod, of Nutmeg, of Salt, of the Potato and others. But before all of them came this book, Sidney Mintz's excellent (1985) exploration of the place of sugar history. To us today sugar may seem a common-place (and in many case we eat far too much of it) but it has not so for more than a couple of hundred years, and sugar played a major part in shaping the modern world. For instance, is account
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Dec 19, 2009
Daniel
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I liked this book a lot although at the time I read for a class on economic development in Latin America it was not my friend. The class was in Spanish and so we read a translated version that was probably not as accessible as the original. Sugar of course is a commodity of great value and importance in the development of the modern world. I was fascinated to learn how when it was still a novelty item of the rich and elite it was used solely for decorative purposes. It's ascendancy as a major gl
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Jul 28, 2010
Brandon
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This was a great book on World Systems Theory in practice. Following the history of sugar from where it originated, to todays uses was a very useful tool. I can now look at how things like iPod, computers, coffees, teas etc work today. How over consumption really hurts people all over the world. I love learning how different parts of the world has contributed to various things we use today, specially when the West says that other cultures need to develop. My only negative comment and reason
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Mar 07, 2011
Anders
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A thought-provoking and riveting social history of the discovery and incorporation of sugar into capitalist modernity. Mintz's approach straddles anthropology, history, and sociology to make sense of how sugar went from obscurity to necessity, and traces the restructurings of the global economy and consumptive patterns along the way. All that, and a really fun read!
I guess what I like best about it, and what makes it most accessible, is his supremely descriptive language about the inti More...
I guess what I like best about it, and what makes it most accessible, is his supremely descriptive language about the inti More...
Dec 20, 2007
Abby
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Mintz traces the rise of sugar from all angles: the growing, refining, and shipping processes; colonialism and the slaves that grew (grow?) the cane; the physiological effects of sugar; the tastes for sugar and its uses; and the class implications of sugar for its European users. My anthropologist best friend recommends this book as one of the top food anthropology books, and I agree with Dr. Lewis that it is a good book, but I think it could've been shorter as it begins to feel a bit redundant
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Jan 26, 2010
Dennis
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Mihir gave me this book after I told him of my tangent of books on slavery and the Caribbean. It's a great book for telling so many intertwined stories -- sugar, slavery, colonialism -- and doing justice to them all.
There are times when the book is in dear need of an editor, like his accounts of the contents of a shipping vessel, or what was in the pantry of an English aristocrat, but you learn to glance over these and get back to the story he is telling.
There are times when the book is in dear need of an editor, like his accounts of the contents of a shipping vessel, or what was in the pantry of an English aristocrat, but you learn to glance over these and get back to the story he is telling.
Jan 30, 2011
Jennah
rated it:
A very interesting analysis of the multiple facets of the history of sugar (production, consumption, power distribution, etc.) The book delves into the rise of sugar use and production mainly in England with a few comparisons to other countries developing at the same time and countries that appear to be developing in similar patterns as the UK with regard to sugar consumption. Much of the book examines the coinciding rise of sugar and the modernization of England during the Industrial Revolution
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Apr 14, 2010
Nisha
rated it:
ok, I have to admit it. This is actually quite interesting, though I felt that it was a little long. I felt like there were some parts that were repeated too often throughout the chapters.
Still, the depth of the history of sugar could not be done any better. I was surprised by the history since our society takes sugar for granted. It was well researched and highly informative. But, I still think its a bit wordy.
Still, the depth of the history of sugar could not be done any better. I was surprised by the history since our society takes sugar for granted. It was well researched and highly informative. But, I still think its a bit wordy.
Jul 18, 2009
Agreenhouse
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You will never look at a teaspoon of sugar the same way. The book tells the complex story of how mercantalism and other global and local forces transformed a tropical product into a necessity in Europe. Important for understanding the forces of globalization today.
Apr 18, 2009
Katina
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This is a cultural anthropological exploration of sugar and it is quite good. The book was first published back in mid-1980s and it mostly focuses on sugar and the slave trade, sugar, capitalism and markets for trade, and the development of a massive demand for sugar in industrial Britain. I loved reading about how sugar moved between upper and lower classes with different effects and found all the odd tidbits of curious history very fun and entertaining. I sort of wish that this book had bee
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Sep 08, 2009
Jessica
rated it: 
Once on a dare I ate a tablespoon of cornstarch at a party. The minute that powder hit my tongue it was a relentless battle to create enough saliva to get it down my gullet. I choked and coughed and when I did a plume of powder was emitted. It was all quite entertaining to the party goers. The reason I am relating this story is that after that incident I didn't think I could experience anything as dry as a tablespoon of cornstarch in my mouth. After reading this book I have been proven incorrect
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May 16, 2011
Latoia
rated it:
Don't, just do not read this!!! I had to read it for history. It is not easy to read. It is hard to follow. Everyone in my class complained and half of them are history majors. I'm an English major. Maybe u need to enjoy anthropology to enjoy this book. It just was not for me.
Sep 25, 2011
Ann
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Difficult at first to get into, but ultimately a fascinating look at a topic that I had never given much thought to.
Aug 12, 2010
Joseph
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Thorough and fascinating look at the history of sugar via the lens of Euro-dominance of the Caribbean, the ensuing Haitian Slave Rebellion, the way sugar has altered our bodies, society, culture, and more...
Writing is a little stiff and circular at times--not enough to kill the book, but just enough to stop and wonder if you're hearing the same thing over again because history is circular/repeated, or because a point is tirelessly trying to be hammered home, or what--sort of the way Jared More...
Writing is a little stiff and circular at times--not enough to kill the book, but just enough to stop and wonder if you're hearing the same thing over again because history is circular/repeated, or because a point is tirelessly trying to be hammered home, or what--sort of the way Jared More...
Jan 20, 2011
Daniela
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This book could have been interesting, but it just wasn't... I actually had trouble getting through it.
Jul 28, 2010
Seemed sort of dull for a pleasure read. But would probably be good as an informative one.
Sep 09, 2009
almost positive I read this... the title is just too familiar for me not to have read it...
Jul 26, 2011
A fascinating examination on how sugar shaped the face of the British Empire
Sep 20, 2010
Beth
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An interesting look at the role of sugar in the modern world, its significance as a commodity and cultural item, and how it has affected food consumption and economics. Probably more significant now as the debate over obesity and high fructose corn syrup continues to rage on...
Feb 23, 2011
Gail
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I was assigned this book in an undergrad anthropology class, but so many students complained about it being "too hard" that he covered the whole thing in a lecture. So I never ended up reading it back then. Decided to revisit it since I love food, and turns out it is a really good book. Just a little slow in parts. The last chapter is my favorite - tying it in with modern convenience food and stuff - so I am glad I finished!
Nov 10, 2007
Rachel
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This book could have been more interestingly written but was a good read on the whole. My favorite part is that elaborate sugar sculptures in the 1400s or so at royal tables were called "subtleties." A close second: "disappearance figures" are the numbers of goods that disappear in a given time period, mostly consumed. Third place: "go-away" is the aspect of a food that lets you swallow it without leaving your mouth coated in fat. Peanut butter has bad go-away.
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Jun 05, 2008
kmg
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Read this in the Dominican Republic while drinking rum, appropriately enough. It's definitely a skimmer rather than a devourer. It's too dry and academic for a true beach read, but it contains interesting facts you can use as an excuse to wake your fellow beachgoer: "Hey, did you know when sugary dishes were first popularized in European courts, they were generally served as interludes within a meal rather than as a dessert at the meal's end? Funny. Would you get me another Santo Libre sinc
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Apr 30, 2008
Tara
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This book is awesome. Mintz is a food anthropologist. This book is about how sugar went from being the food of the gods for only a very few wealthy people to being the staple food of working class England. Mintz covers sugar production in the colonies and the capital accumulation made possible by slavery. This capital is what fuels the industrial revolution in England. Workers needed cheap food. Mintz notes that with the rise of sugar, coffee, tea and chocolate became more popular in Europe.
