Salt: A World History By Mark Kurlansky

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The rock salt, is easily one of the most used and consumed mineral in the average everyday life. From seasoning food to helping a sore throat, salt is used without the thought of its effects on many wars, cultures, government, religions, and the economy. Author Mark Kurlansky, informs the reader of the history of salt by taking them through different cultures and time periods in the book Salt: A World History. He touches on different areas around the world and how they used salt for their own needs. From being one of the most wanted rocks in the world, to easily being purchased at the supermarket, salt has gone through a long and tiring journey. The start of the book focuses mainly on how salt was first discovered and used in the ancient world. …show more content…

In India, a reformer named Gandhi lead his followers across the country to protest the British salt restrictions. These restrictions prohibited Indians from collecting or selling salt, which was very important to Indian cuisine. Indians were forced to purchase from the British who placed a tax on salt. To help his people, Gandhi resisted the British salt policies and started a civil disobedience. When Gandhi and his followers accomplished their travels, they planned on making salt from seawater. Gandhi and his people's dedication to resistance spread across India. In a result, many got arrested including Gandhi himself. Although in prison, the resistance still fought on. This resistance easily helped grant India’s …show more content…

I found that there is always unintended events or problems that occur because of salt. For example, if the Egyptians did not depend on salt for mummification, would they still be as obsessed to own a large load of it? Also, if the church had not restricted meat, would the need for salt be forgot instead of advertised to the world? Salt: A World History is very bias based on the fact that the author believes salt is one of the greatest things to happen. Kurlansky repeatedly reminds the reader that without salt, certain wars or cuisines would never come to

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