The Story of Salt by mark kurlansky

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

While salt may seem nothing more than common to us today, this book takes the reader on the fascinating history of Salt and how it played a large role in many events of the past. Throughout the world, salt has been a commodity that has built empires and even started wars. Many pages in this book also contain boxes with further information on the uses of salt and discoveries its use led to. The book ends with a chronological timeline of notable events in history involving salt.

I found this book fascinating, especially learning what an important role salt has played in the history of the world. Although this book is primarily targeted towards upper elementary and middle school-age children it would be appropriate for all ages and of interest to older teens and adults.

Potential Problems: The information while plentiful, lacks sources or links for further information.

0 0 Reply

corikokko

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

This social studies information picture book for children explores the importance of salt in life, and how it has been used throughout history for various reasons and by various peoples. There are so many historical events portrayed in this book, from ancient Egypt, Rome, and China, to the American Revolution to Gandhi’s Salt March. The graphics are imaginary and help the reader to travel through time learning about salt’s role in human history.

0 0 Reply

Tsugan

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

This is the picture book version of Kurlansky's adult non-fiction title about the history of salt use, industry and trade. Very informative and makes me want to read the adult version.

0 0 Reply

hyperknees91

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

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 resource was so long ago...after all it is in abundant supply everywhere they look and in virtually every processed food consumed.

0 0 Reply

Waterpiska

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

Kurlansky gives kids a whirlwind history of salt's importance on earth, from the ways it determined top empires to how it impacted the diets of civilizations, and even how it permanently changed our vocabulary.

I've read the adult microhistory that Kurlansky boiled down into this picture book. Getting that highly detailed almost 500 page volume summarized into salient points for kids was no mean feat, but Kurlansky managed to do a good job of it. He stayed true to the original purpose while tossing out lots and lots and lots of details that could have lost his younger readers. It's an interesting look at how one little compound has so drastically impacted our world. I love the illustrations in this book to help kids better form a visual image of what is being described as there's several terms or concepts that will be new to most kids. It's a great resource that can be used in science, history or language classes.

If you want more details to share with kids about any of the points in this book, I recommend going to the adult version. Each of the points shared here in about one page have numerous chapters in the other book. Both are fascinating.

0 0 Reply