Salt: A World History   

With the opening of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, we can't think of a book any more appropriate to recommend than

Salt: A World History, by Mark Kurlansky.  Click here to read about and order on Amazon.    This book has more than you thought you ever needed to know about salt, 484 pages of reading. Salt was used for centuries to preserve food. Preserving things is something we respect.

    Salt today is not so important for preserving food. Freezing, canning, etc. have taken over for the most part. As a seasoning, salt is generally a dull item . . . not exciting like Tabasco, salsa, etc. And it is very commonplace . . . it is on practically every dining table. Commonplace and dull . .. . right up our alley.