Drew Smith
In the vein of ,Salt, and ,Cod,â€”the incredible tale of the oyster in history, art, literature, and more, from the dawn of time up through its current role as a symbol of environmentalism in the U.S.,Â ,Oysters are older than people, older than grass, and thisÂ journey demonstrates that theyÂ have been present at every turn of human eventsâ€”inspiring great writers, painters, and cooks; sustaining whole communities; and fashioning legend and history. Besides being an unusual species in themselves, oysters provide a fascinating insight into how the world has evolved. Their pearls have funded empires and caused the invention of modern-day slavery. The evidence oysters leave behind shows usÂ that weÂ were not cavepeople at all, but covepeople, exploring the world along the coastlines, because oysters were a sign of a safe and healthy marine economy.Â They have been influential both as one of the healthiest foods we can eat and with their perennial reputation as an aphrodisiac. This book discusses the scandal of what has happened to the oyster in the UK, its use as a symbol in the U.S., and the hopes for aquaculture in Japan and Korea. From pleasure, pearls, politics, piracy, piety, and poverty, this bookÂ reveals a whole array of incredible, little-knownÂ facts.
Animals
Oyster: A World History