Food: A Cultural Culinary History cover art

Food: A Cultural Culinary History

 Preview

Audible Standard 1-month free trial

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo + applicable tax after 30-day trial. Cancel Anytime
Try for $0.00
More purchase options

Food: A Cultural Culinary History

Written by: Ken Albala, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Ken Albala
Try for $0.00

$8.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.24

Buy Now for $26.24

Eating is an indispensable human activity. As a result, whether we realize it or not, the drive to obtain food has been a major catalyst across all of history, from prehistoric times to the present. Epicure Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin said it best: "Gastronomy governs the whole life of man."

In fact, civilization itself began in the quest for food. Humanity's transition to agriculture was not only the greatest social revolution in history, but it directly produced the structures and institutions we call "civilization."

In 36 fascinating lectures, award-winning Professor Albala puts this extraordinary subject on the table, taking you on an enthralling journey into the human relationship to food. With this innovative course, you'll travel the world discovering fascinating food lore and culture of all regions and eras - as an eye-opening lesson in history as well as a unique window on what we eat today.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2013 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2013 The Great Courses Food & Wine Gastronomy World Culinary Adventures Inspiring Funny
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1

Continue the series
Practicing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation cover art
Practicing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation Written by: Mark W. Muesse, and others
The Science of Natural Healing cover art
The Science of Natural Healing Written by: Mimi Guarneri, and others
Nutrition Made Clear cover art
Nutrition Made Clear Written by: Roberta H. Anding, and others
Stress and Your Body cover art
Stress and Your Body Written by: Robert Sapolsky, and others
Lifelong Health: Achieving Optimum Well-Being at Any Age cover art
Lifelong Health: Achieving Optimum Well-Being at Any Age Written by: Anthony A. Goodman, and others
The Myths of Nutrition and Fitness cover art
The Myths of Nutrition and Fitness Written by: Dr. Anthony A. Goodman, and others
Memory and the Human Lifespan cover art
Memory and the Human Lifespan Written by: Steve Joordens, and others
The First Amendment and You: What Everyone Should Know cover art
The First Amendment and You: What Everyone Should Know Written by: John E. Finn, and others
Privacy, Property, and Free Speech: Law and the Constitution in the 21st Century cover art
Privacy, Property, and Free Speech: Law and the Constitution in the 21st Century Written by: Jeffrey Rosen, and others
Medical Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths: What We Think We Know May Be Hurting Us cover art
Medical Myths, Lies, and Half-Truths: What We Think We Know May Be Hurting Us Written by: Steven Novella, and others
Scientific Secrets for Self-Control cover art
Scientific Secrets for Self-Control Written by: C. Nathan DeWall, and others
Scientific Secrets for Raising Kids Who Thrive cover art
Scientific Secrets for Raising Kids Who Thrive Written by: Peter M. Vishton, and others
Moral Decision Making cover art
Moral Decision Making Written by: Clancy Martin, and others
Mind-Body Medicine cover art
Mind-Body Medicine Written by: Jason M. Satterfield, and others
Customs of the World: Using Cultural Intelligence to Adapt, Wherever You Are cover art
Customs of the World: Using Cultural Intelligence to Adapt, Wherever You Are Written by: David Livermore, and others
Discovering Your Roots cover art
Discovering Your Roots Written by: John Philip Colletta, and others
The Science of Mindfulness cover art
The Science of Mindfulness Written by: Ronald Siegel, and others
Raising Emotionally and Socially Healthy Kids cover art
Raising Emotionally and Socially Healthy Kids Written by: Eileen Kennedy-Moore, and others
An Introduction to Infectious Diseases cover art
An Introduction to Infectious Diseases Written by: Barry C. Fox, and others
The Addictive Brain cover art
The Addictive Brain Written by: Thad A. Polk, and others
All stars
Most Relevant
This course did a great job at conveying the intricacies of food and how it shapes culture. Ken Abala was very engaging, with a humorous disposition,making it very easy to listen to.

Far exceeded my expectations!

Well worth it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This isn't a lecture series. It's like the author is having a conversation with the listeners who are taken on this magnificent journey around food and in many ways world history recounted through the journey of food. As someone that has listened to a lot of the Great Courses lectures, this is perhaps as good as it gets!

Is there a better audio course out there?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I am a frequent user of the Great Courses Plus and this has got to be one of my all time favourite courses. I not only found the material to be extremely fascinating (many lessons and recipes I had shared with family and friends) but also feel that this course carries many great lessons in history. I have also conversed with the professor via email and can tell you that he os a very enthusiastic and kind person who truly loves his field. If you have even a remote interest in food, this course is a must listen!

Fantastic course!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I have watched and listened to many courses from The Teaching Company, and this one is one of my top 3 favourites. The sequencing of the lectures and Professor Abala's presentation style are excellent. I learned a lot from this course. Highly recommendable.

A great course!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved this book. I never realized how much food and history are linked. The author/narrator has a very pleasing manner about him and he is very interesting to listen to. I learned A LOT!

Excellent! Informative yet fun

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews