Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World, William Alexander
Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World, William Alexander
List: $27.99 | Sale: $19.59
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Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World
A History

Author: William Alexander

Narrator: Paul Bellantoni

Unabridged: 9 hr 17 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/07/2022

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author William Alexander takes readers on the surprisingly twisty journey of the beloved tomato in this fascinating and erudite microhistory.

The tomato gets no respect. Never has. Lost in the dustbin of history for centuries, accused of being vile and poisonous, subjected to being picked hard-green and gassed, even used as a projectile, the poor tomato has become the avatar for our disaffection with industrial foods — while becoming the most popular vegetable in America (and, in fact, the world). Each summer, tomato festivals crop up across the country; the Heinz ketchup bottle, instantly recognizable, has earned a spot in the Smithsonian; and now the tomato is redefining the very nature of farming, moving from fields into climate-controlled mega-greenhouses the size of New England villages. 

Supported by meticulous research and told in a lively, accessible voice, Ten Tomatoes That Changed the World seamlessly weaves travel, history, humor, and a little adventure (and misadventure) to follow the tomato's trail through history. A fascinating story complete with heroes, con artists, conquistadors, and—no surprise—the Mafia, this book is a mouth-watering, informative, and entertaining guide to the food that has captured our hearts for generations.

About William Alexander

William Alexander won the National Book Award for his debut novel, Goblin Secrets, and won the Earphones Award for his narration of the audiobook. His other novels include A Festival of Ghosts, A Properly Unhaunted Place, Ghoulish Song, Nomad, and Ambassador. William studied theater and folklore at Oberlin College, English at the University of Vermont, and creative writing at the Clarion workshop. He teaches in the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Like the protagonist of Nomad and Ambassador, William is the son of a Latino immigrant to the US. Visit him online at WillAlex.net and GoblinSecrets.com, and on Twitter via @WillieAlex.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Mel Rose (Savvy Rose Reads) on June 07, 2022

Rating: 5/5 stars Out June 7, 2022 [Huge thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!] I am a huge fan of micro histories on super niche topics, so when I saw Ten Tomatoes That Changed The World I knew I had to have it, and trust me when I te......more

Goodreads review by Kirsti on October 22, 2022

Lively, vivid essays about tomatoes in history. The author travels widely, from Italy to Mexico to Canada and elsewhere. Much more about technology than I was expecting. Some tips: Why do so many supermarket tomatoes, especially Florida tomatoes, taste so bad? They're bred, grown, and harvested in ways......more

Goodreads review by Ma'Belle on May 11, 2023

Earlier in life I never would have guessed that one day I'd be reading history books about such specific food topics as Salt: A World History, Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World, or the tomato. It *did* make me even more grateful to have grown up visiting my (farmer/gardener) grandp......more

Goodreads review by Suzanne on September 10, 2022

I listened to this one with my husband while driving. It was well researched and takes the story of the tomato from the Aztecs to Dominos pizza to the Leamington greenhouses. Having picked field tomatoes as a child, worked with the greenhouse industry and grown my own from hybrids to heirlooms, the......more

Goodreads review by Becks on July 27, 2022

BRILLIANT πŸ… this is basically the Tomato version of β€˜Sapiens’ and I loved it equally. This book covers the history of tomatoes from where they began to where they are now (and a glimpse into the future) but it’s not just that! I loved this book because whilst I was learning about tomatoes I was also......more

Quotes

“From the man who grew us The $64 Tomato, William Alexander is back in the garden…as well as in pizzerias in Naples (Italy), a ketchup factory, the local Pizza Hut, large-scale tomatoes farms in Naples (Florida), and the farmers markets where heirloom tomatoes are having their day in the sun, again. Ten Tomatoes That Changed the World is a fascinating and funny tell-all tale of how ten tomatoes are shaping our lives in unusual, unexpected, and (in some cases) very delicious directions.”β€”David Lebovitz, author of Drinking French and My Paris Kitchen

“William Alexander has written an entertaining, broad-ranging history of the tomato, in a conversational, humorous style that uses tomatoes to explore history -- from the Aztecs to Italian cuisine and pizza -- along with the introduction of fascinating characters, issues such as climate change and hydroponics, heirloom mania, and the search for flavor in a world of GMOs and factory farming.”β€”Mark Pendergrast, author of Uncommon Grounds and For God, Country and Coca-Cola

“William Alexander is a delightful guide on this whirlwind tour of the tomato's influence on global cuisine and culture. His trademark blend of history, botany, memoir and travelogue make Ten Tomatoes That Changed the World a captivating--and appetizing--read for gardeners and cooks alike.”β€”Amy Stewart, New York Times bestselling author of The Drunken Botanist

"[A]n engaging look at the humble fruit. . . Eccentric, informative, and thoroughly enjoyable."β€”Kirkus Reviews

PRAISE FOR WILLIAM ALEXANDER

“Highly readable… Mr. Alexander presents himself as an apprentice, but the reader quickly discovers he is also a master teacher."β€”Wall Street Journal on Flirting with French

"Alexander's breathless, witty memoir is a joy to read. It's equal parts fact and fun.” β€”Boston Globe on 52 Loaves

“[Alexander’s] bright writing highlights a pleasing variety of comical misadventures... Entertaining and educative."β€”Kirkus Reviews on 52 Loaves

"Serious, irreverent, funny and informative at the same time."β€”Jacques Pépin on 52 Loaves

“Engaging, well-paced and informative."β€”New York Times on The $64 Tomato

“[A] disarmingly witty take on horticulture…consistently funny."β€”Washington Post on The $64 Tomato

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