The Story of Salt

by Mark Kurlansky, S.D. Schindler (Illustrator)

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 revolutions and is vital for life. Based on Mark Kurlansky's critically acclaimed bestseller Salt: A World History, this handsome picture book explores every aspect of salt: The many ways it's gathered from the earth and sea; how ancient emperors in China, Egypt, and Rome used it to keep their subjects happy; Why salt was key to the Age of Exploration; what salt meant to the American Revolution; And even how the search for salt eventually led to oil. Along the way, you'll meet a Celtic miner frozen in salt, learn how to make ketchup, and even experience salt's finest hour: Gandhi's famous Salt March.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Science, Food, Childrens, Middle Grade

48 pages, Hardcover

Published September 7, 2006

About the author

Mark Kurlansky is an American journalist and author who has written a number of books of fiction and nonfiction. His 1997 book, Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World (1997), was an international bestseller and was translated into more than fifteen languages. His book Nonviolence: Twenty-five Lessons From the History of a Dangerous Idea (2006) was the nonfiction winner of the 2007 Dayton Literary Peace Prize.

Reviews

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the new library specialist of a middle school library, I stumbled upon this picture book as I browsed the collection. I bought two more copies of this beautifully illustrated engaging read so all three of the 6th grade social studies teachers could have a copy in their classrooms where they cover thousands of years of various early civilizations up to the Age of Enlightenment in one year.

While the book opens with Kurlansky's personal story of his salt rock, he quickly transitions to what salt is chemically and to how important this rock, the only rock that all mammals must eat to survive, has been in the development of civilization.

He covers the history of salt in early empires like China, Egypt, and Rome. He shows the influence of salt during the Age of Exploration, the French Revolution, and American Colonialism. Salt has affected our geography, economy, and political structures. As a symbol, salt is strong. Two pages are dedicated to explaining Ghandi's Salt March.

Many of these two-page spreads cover a particular time period or empire. Some of the spreads have inset boxes with extra tidbits of information. For instance, the Roman word for salt sal is the root word for the English words salary and soldier because oftentimes Roman soldiers were paid in salt. The expressions "worth his salt" and "to earn his salt" stem from this Roman usage.

Between the science lessons and social studies content, this book ties together how critical salt has been to shaping our world. A wonderful supplemental text for any teacher covering the development of humankind.

[Noninuna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fascinating read about the history of salt & how salt affected world history as a whole. And I found new sub genre that I like: microhistory. Although I actually had read one book that categorized in the said sub genre The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this one! We had just finished learning about (and visiting) the Erie Canal so the mention in the book made it so relatable. So interesting! We were all attentive through the whole book. We finished by following up this book with Matthew 5:13. Perfect follow up to this excellent book.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew salt could be so interesting! This book was fascinating and my kids were engaged. They kept asking me to keep reading!

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: one reference to millions of years.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story of Salt by Mark Kurlansky, Illustrator S.D. Schindler- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the history of discovery Salt, its use cooking food. Salt is an important business commodity. Chemical name of salt is Sodium Chloride (NaCl), common salt or table salt. Chinese were some of the first to document their use of salt to create new staples in the country. Chinese sauce involves a fermentation process. Importance of salt is that it has the ability to pull moisture from items and create a brine that cures them in piclked cucumbers, meats and eggs. Salt as a preserving agent for meat and fishes. Manufacture of salt is a profitable business, be it for food and for medicine. One chapter of the book is related to Indian independence movement of 1930. British Government levied tax on sale of salt. Thus, British manufactured salt was available for sale with tax. Indian salt manufacturing industry was suppressed. Mahatma Gandhi fought the British ban on local procuring and selling of salt, feeling that the people had a right to work for themselves without being suppressed. He marched with his people to Sabarmati 260 miles and picked up salt from the sea, thus breaking the British law. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 11 year old son really enjoyed this book. I will say it is good for upper elementary as it is quite wordy but there is a ton of interesting information and I loved how it related a lot of things that we have learned about in the past (Like Ghandi and the discovery of oil in Texas) with salt. It was kind of a trip through history and science as it relates to the world of Salt.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting, simplified telling of the world's history of our relationship with salt. A lot I didn't know, and my boys were really engaged in learning.

Second read: aloud to husband while driving. He said it was interesting.

[Skedatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A history of salt through the ages. A fascinating read.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history of the world through the lens of salt. Something so common is utterly uncommon.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting! Who knew there were so many things related to salt? :)

[Neha Thakkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

More traditional nonfiction and was expecting a picture book. Weird format.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salt is now such a common ordinary element, but its story and importance in history is quite amazing. Salt is the only rock we eat and we need it in our diet to live. This very nicely illustrated picture book contains the history and story of salt, from answering the question of what is salt to its value through the centuries, including the rise and fall of kingdoms and wars, the obtaining of salt, how salt has influenced the words we use, its uses and the science of salt. At the end, there is a timeline for salt through the centuries from 9750 BC to 1947 A.D.
This is very interesting story with fascinating information.

[Backoff51 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Kurlansky book for youth. I previously read the adult version Salt.

I found this book to be full of salt facts that made it a very good addition to Salt.

Kurlansky is great.

[Phuong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustration. Gave great insights and made me appreciated salt a whole lot more!

[Brooke Nadzam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Categories/Genres for this class fulfilled by this book: Nonfiction

Estimate of age level of interest: Grades 3-8

Estimate of reading level: Grade 7

Brief description:

A nonfiction book about the history of salt, including the chemical structure of the compound, the impact of salt on ancient cultures and how it brought power, to more modern examples, such as the Salt March with Ghandi.

Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book:

Nonfiction books should give accurate information about a topic. Mark Kurlansky wrote an entire adult novel on the topic of salt; he has researched extensively and is knowledgeable on the subject. The breadth of the book is extensive and he gives brief examples of each significant event to the readers, explaining the significance. He has brought the novel’s contents to a medium that is much more accessible to younger readers.

The second characteristic to speak about in juvenile nonfiction is the use of pictures to support the factual text. Each page of The Story of Salt is accompanied by visuals. Some of them are visually accurate, for example a drawing of Ghandi at the end of the Salt March, while others provide comedy, such as the caricatures of a pickle and ham fending off bacteria. The colors and style of the drawings are appropriate for each time period they depict, using black, white, and grey in the Polish salt mines and more lush greens when speaking of the salt collection in America in the Erie Canal.

In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience?:

This book will appeal to elementary school students, and perhaps even middle school students. It is an easy-to-read history of salt. Kids researching this topic will find the text each to read and the pictures engaging. That said, it does not shy away from using appropriate historic and scientific words, exposing our young readers to proper terminology and vocabulary.

Awards if any:

ALA Notable Children's Books 2007
Horn Book Magazine starred 04/01/07
Kirkus Reviews starred 08/01/06
School Library Journal starred 10/01/06

Links to published reviews from professional sources:

Booklist July 2006 (Vol. 102, No. 21)
Horn Book Magazine September/October, 2006
Publishers Weekly September 18, 2006
School Library Journal October 1, 2006

[Ismail Laraki · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Story of Salt”, written by Mark Kurlansky accurately exposes the role of the industry of salt in world history through a variety of contexts mainly including the scientific and cultural role of salt today, the emergence of its use, and the cause and effects of trading the mineral in world history. Firstly, the emergences of salt lead its application to majorly affecting the customs and daily lives of certain societies around the world as it was used for culinary purpose and preservation of objects. More specially, the manufacturing of soy sauce in China led to a higher consuming rate as it was used in every meal and is still used today in modern cuisine, but most importantly, the use of salt in Catholic Europe due to the restrictions regarding meat consummation incredibly rose as Cod fishes’ popularity increased and salt was used for preservation. Secondly, the role of Salt in world’s history led to the economic rise of several societies and control of several trade routs also resulting in rebellions. Indeed, the ancient emperors controlling the Chinese dynasty used the power of salt that “paid the Great Wall of China, which is fifteen hundred miles long (…) It also paid for the Chinese arm,” which served as a safe trade route and effective barrier (Kurlansky 19). Due to the rarity and expensiveness of the salt, taxes were placed in France and India as main goal to enrich the country and feed the French and British armies, which angered the civilizations sparking the French Revolution and Movement of Gandhi resulting India’s independence. Lastly, the scientific enquiries today have forged new concepts on the production of salt making it an essential mineral in today’s lifestyle. That is to say scientist developed methods such as canning to decrease the use of salt in preservation, but most importantly salt mines, drooling, and synthesizing, were the major factors that made salt more abundant, less expensive, and common in modern life. The fact that the author, Mark Kurlansky exposed the mineral of salt as a symbol of the world’s evolution and a historical and scientific manner strongly interested the reader also making this book recommended for readers intrigued by scientific inquiry and the development of the world to modern days. All in all, the “Story of Salt,” has accurately defined the historical and scientific role of an important mineral in world history.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really excited to find this book as a supplement to our studies about salt around the world. It was the only children's book on the topic I found in our library's system. I read it to our 8 year old and 5 year. It was a bit long for them both, especially the younger one, but overall, I think they enjoyed it. The text level was good for my 8 year old. (I'd say it was good for 8 and up.)

What I loved the most about this book was the illustrations. They were fantastically done - a good combination of realistic, humorous, and informative. The color palate was beautiful. I just really loved the illustrations!

The text was interesting and on many of the pages was an additional box with further details about salt. We learned some fascinating things about salt itself, and its role in history throughout the world. I really liked that the author tied in the Orient and soy sauce as well as the Romans and garum.

One complaint I had about the book is that I felt some of the events were portrayed as too cut and dry - as if salt had been the only reason for certain events. Rarely in history is one solitary thing the cause of an event, especially on a large scale. If the author had used phrases like "salt was a huge factor in X event" or "salt was one reason X happened" I would have been a lot happier. I realize the book is about salt, but you have to make allowances for other facts and truths in a story that is on such a global scale.

The other thing I felt needed work was that some of the things talked about needed clarification. In the section on salt and science, the author brings up Clarence Birdseye, but fails to say why preserving food by rapid freezing was related to salt. (It is, the author just didn't explain how.) Another instance is how salt and drilling for oil are related. The author makes it sound as if all oil is found near salt domes. Is that really true? What about oil drilled for in the ocean? Another sentence or two could have cleared this up for the reader. Even just skimming the book, my husband concluded that all oil is found near salt domes and that salt makes oil! Leading readers to false conclusions is a major issue for a book about history.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it's superb illustrations. I feel it's a valuable contribution to an under represented facet of world history.

[EB · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from the library b/c I'm curious to learn more abt salt - after all, it's one of the FEW foods I can eat - but don't feel like reading Kurlansky's ENTIRE grown-up book about salt. 496 pages on salt's history is about 450 pages more than I'm willing to invest. I'm enjoying this book's shortened, simplified version of his research.

I've learned that ppl only needed to add salt to their food when their diet changed d/t farming; before that they got all the salt they needed from the flesh of wild animals (pg. 15). Additionally, "it was thought that wild animals were first tamed by farmers offering them salt" (pg. 15).

I learned that the ability to preserve food using salt meant that ppl could travel further afield. This was a tremendous game-changer. "Hence, when people had a good supply of salt, they could also have a thriving international trade, which in turn led to great power. On every continent, in every century, the dominant people were the ones who controlled the salt trade. Today, the largest producer of salt is the United States." (pg. 17)

More facts! Early roads in the United States were built on animal trails that connected one salt source to another (pg. 37).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pg. 7: "Salt is the only rock eaten by human beings."

Illustrations are fabulous! E.g., pg. 21 shows a woman salting a mummy. The mummy is on a tilted table, low to the ground; water is draining from its feet into a collection urn (b/c salt dehydrates!). So cool that the pic includes deets to show this process!

Pg. 25: "Many English words are based on the Roman word for salt, sal--even the word 'salt' itself. Sal is the root of the words 'salary' and 'soldier' because Roman soldiers were often paid in salt. This is also the origin of the expressions 'worth his salt' and 'to earn his salt.'"

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

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. (Speaking of ancient Rome, I also had no idea how fish sauce was made--ewww! And I've eaten it on food too!) This book had some very interesting side notes that I'd like to explore further. For example, I'd love to know more about the French use of salt to preserve prisoners who had died in 17th-century prisons before their trial dates. I'd also like to know more about the perfectly preserved ancient Celtic salt miner found in the Austrian Alps. This book was so interesting that now I must get Kurlansky's adult book, Salt: a World History to read what other little tidbits he's salted this story with. Salt will be more than just a food additive from now on. Recommended!

Added note: I loved S.D. Schindler's illustrations. Kurlansky and Schindler paired up for another children's edition of an adult book, on cod. Gotta get that one too.

[Hana Sm. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book's insert says that it has 48 pages, but it's actually 44 pages of story material. This is a non-fiction book that describes the history of salt throughout history. (In my opinion, it's best suited for 3rd graders and up.) I like how it acknowledges that each continent (well except Australia & Antarctica) was an active participant is producing or trading salt. I learned that salt was even used in Central & South America, which most history books fail to mention because they focus only focus on the Egyptians & Romans.

I like how it explains the chemical composition of salt, the benefits that salt does for our bodies,& how salt is produced. You get all this information in addition to the history lesson. One thing that stood out to me, was it described in pictures & detail how each culture viewed salt.
--------------------
I would break this book down into parts because it's so detailed & long. The history of salt being outlined from ancient times to modern times reminds me of the parts of a story: beginning, middle, and end. So we would do a story map where we discussed what happening with salt in the beginning of time, then the middle ages, and lastly, recent events. I would write down the student responses on the large piece of paper.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Claire Binkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having spent a semester poring over my Chinese History professor's research document concerning the topic enclosed in this book, after the lengthy time I had pored over the Latin research documents concerning the subject, it seems to me that there is much to be uncovered yet in the world of salt, so that is how I regarded it.

My father disapproved of it since he thought it was not aimed at someone like me; he told me it was just a children's book, but I told him that the research all looked valid, so I liked it.
Not only did I like it, but I liked it very much.

What I liked the most about it was how Kurlansky highlights how salt helped foster international trade.
This is something that I have always been interested in, from the youngest of ages, myself.
With the benefit of salt, foods may be preserved and shipped a longer distance than without the benefit of salination.
Therefore I have gone into trying my hand at many of the languages of the world - I remember it being stressful to not feel understood though.
There's nothing to be done about that but to try, try again, though!

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 pictures and I liked learning about salt, "the only rock we eat.." I did think that the book is a little disjointed and hard to follow from time to time. Inset windows do not see, to refer to the topic on the page, and remind me a bit of a DK book. I would have liked to have seen a slightly moe thematic vein, rather than just be a listing of facts.

[Audra J · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sarah Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 and easily understand the great importance of a condiment that they might never consciously consider otherwise.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 bodies need salt to survive. This book would be perfect for the type of kid (this is the children's book version) who loves to impress everyone with fun facts.

[Donna Crane]

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 Salt March, the story of salt is full of 'tasty' tales. Kurlanksy and Schindler have created an informational text that is a pleasure to look at with its amusing and highly detailed illustrations.