From the team that created the ALA Notable Book The Cod's Tale comes the fascinating history of salt, which has been the object of wars and revolut...
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reviews
Dec 13, 2011
Michele
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I learned a lot about salt while reading this book. Some of it was fascinating, such as the expression "worth his salt" refers to the fact that Roman soldiers were paid in salt. Some of it felt a little simplified in favor of salt, such as the assertion that the location of American towns was due to roads (old animal paths ooking for salt) leading to a salt mine. However, my historian husband assures me that the history of salt is extremely important and relative. I liked the pictu
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Dec 15, 2011
Jackie
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The Story of Salt is an informative, nicely illustrated, interesting timeline of the ways salt has played an important part in world's history. Salt is a compound of sodium and chloride which when combined forms a rock-like substance that is essential to life on Earth.
Although this book does not drag on or belabor the point, I am not sure how much kids will like reading about the historical significance of salt. Today's kids could not possibly fully understand how coveted this resou More...
Although this book does not drag on or belabor the point, I am not sure how much kids will like reading about the historical significance of salt. Today's kids could not possibly fully understand how coveted this resou More...
Dec 28, 2011
Joanne
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Such an everyday item -- who would have thought it would have such a fascinating history. This is a great childrens' nonfiction read. It provides a fine overview of the role and value of salt in a wide variety of world cultures. I learned the origins of the expressions "worth his salt" and "salt of the earth" and why the word "salary" is derived from the Latin word for salt. And, surprisingly, how the city of Buffalo, New York got its name. Check it out -- and
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Nov 07, 2011
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
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I was reaching for a glass of water by the time I finished reading about all this salt! What drew me immediately into the book was the description in the beginning of the strange properties of the author's rock of salt. Kurlansky then goes into a brief description of the chemistry of salt, and then moves on to how salt is found, mined, or made, and what it's been used for throughout history. I had no idea that the control of salt was connected to political control, as it was in ancient Rome.
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Nov 07, 2011
Choosing a ubiquitous material we take for granted and putting it into its larger historical context is a wonderful way to introduce children to the wide ranging, civilization-shaping impact of what's in our tabletop shaker. Ever heard of the Great Wall of China? Paid for by the Tang dynasty's control of the salt trade. World exploration? Only possible with sufficient quantities of salted provisions. Egyptian mummies? You guessed it. They need salt too. Even into the 20th century with Gandhi's S
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Dec 18, 2011
Jessica
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Never thought this would be this good! SUCH a good informational book about salt. So many things that I never would have thought about. Would be a great book to have in my classroom.
Nov 07, 2011
Jessica
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The only reason that I'm not giving this five stars is because I wasn't totally in love with it. But I really did like it a whole lot. It's incredibly fascinating how it ties salt into so much history. For example, did you know that salt miners in ancient China were the first to discover and use natural gas? Or that many of the roads commonly used today were created by animals searching for salt? It was so interesting to learn how salt has affected so much of the world's power and how our b
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Jan 10, 2012
emily
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Discusses salt from a base perspective - simple yet sophisticated.
Didn't like the illustrations.
Didn't do much for me on the whole.
Didn't like the illustrations.
Didn't do much for me on the whole.
Nov 07, 2011
Sarah
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A fascinating, whirlwind tour across time, space and cultures that shows how a humble rock, salt, has shaped civilizations, influenced our eating habits, caused revolutions and led to scientific innovation.
• Potential Use: Great potential for linking across disciplines, notably science and history.
• Child Appeal: Engrossing story will appeal to children interested in food, science, history and/or language. Carefully organized illustrations and side bars invite the reader to explore More...
• Potential Use: Great potential for linking across disciplines, notably science and history.
• Child Appeal: Engrossing story will appeal to children interested in food, science, history and/or language. Carefully organized illustrations and side bars invite the reader to explore More...
Nov 07, 2011
Katie
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Very interesting book about the history of salt and its uses in different cultures. I could see this being an interesting way to get kids interested in a unit on world history or different cultures.
Nov 07, 2011
Nancy
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Salt is much more interesting than you would think. Mark Kulansky wrote an adult book about salt, and this book is written for children based on that book. Lots of neat facts are in this book- like salt paid for the Great Wall of China. Did you know that in France, during King Louis XIV's reign, salt was being smuggled so much that a police force was established just to catch smugglers? Yep- and about 3,000 men, women and children were arrested every year. Some were sentenced to death!
Nov 07, 2011
Lars
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One of the wonderful things about reading children's literature is not having to feel guilty about getting an easier version of a longer work. I keep meaning to read Kuransky's "Salt: A World History" and his other renowned popular histories, and maybe I will, but for now I got to enjoy this charming adaptation of "Salt," illustrated by the peerless S.D. Schindler.
Nov 07, 2011
Donalyn
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I knew that salt was important and that words like "salary" came from salt, but now I have a logical way to explain to my students salt's importance throughout history. Full of scientific and historical information presented with interesting text and playful illustrations. A great nonfiction read aloud choice!
Nov 07, 2011
Heather
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We read this as part of our chemistry study and the boys really enjoyed it. We learned a lot about the history of salt and various cultures along the way. The illustrations were very detailed and the text engaging. I'd love to find more science/history books like this one.
Nov 07, 2011
Jess
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The country who controls salt has controlled the world inevery century; follow salt from discovery to it being traded for gold, to the discovery of gigantic salt mines beneath the earth.
Interesting. While detailed enough for Juniors, I would have loved to know more.
Interesting. While detailed enough for Juniors, I would have loved to know more.
Nov 07, 2011
The kids and I read this together. Who knew so much world history was shaped by salt? Something we take so for granted today. The pictures make it interesting for the children, and the topic was interesting for me.
Nov 07, 2011
Heather
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I've seen great reviews for this book and thought it would be worth checking out. The book details how salt has been used through the ages by people all over the world. Lots of interesting facts.
Nov 07, 2011
Rebekah
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A 2007-8 DCF book based on Salt: A World History. It was informative and interesting and boiled the points of the adult history into a great read for students.
Nov 07, 2011
W.H.
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The history of salt--from rock to seasoning to the revolutions and wars that have been fought over it. I had no idea.
Nov 07, 2011
Gretchen
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This edition is for school children--not the 500 page book--it really gives a lot of information in interesting ways
Nov 07, 2011
Matthew
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This was a truly illuminating book. I really enjoyed it. Great facts and strong presentation.
Nov 07, 2011
Michelle
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Great book on the topic, well written, for kids non-fiction, and informative, for me.
Nov 07, 2011
Jenn
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High-interest history with a great slant. The illustrations are wonderfully detailed.
Nov 07, 2011
Debbie
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What an interesting read! I learned so much about humanity from this book!
