REVIEWbyU - The History & Social Influence of the Potato by Redcliffe Salaman

Reviewed by: Laura
Rating: 4 stars

Fact. Potatoes were used to treat scurvy.
Fact. Shakespeare twice refers to the potato.
False. Potatoes are a major source of nitrogen.
These are just some of the things you come to learn upon delving into Redcliffe Salaman’s “The History and Social Influence of the Potato.” But how does one come to discover such a book?

While perusing the isles of the library, by chance I happened to come across this masterpiece. It was not a book easily overlooked either, with a width of 4.5 centimeters, it visually outshone all of the other books which had the misfortune of sharing a place on the 600 section of the library.
Salaman, perhaps quite rightly, identifies the oddities which ensue from committing almost his entire life in labor to the history of the potato, where he notes in his prologue: "Indeed, there have not been wanting those who have regarded these activities with the shake of a head and an indulgent smile, indicating that nothing, short of mental instability, could excuse a lifelong attachment to such a banal subject."

But banal subject, this is not. Boasting 619 pages of extensive insights and analysis into not only the history of the potato, his text also offers interpretations of the potato in literature, drawing upon figures such as William Shakespeare as well as reflecting upon the influence of potatoes on aspects of society including art, media, community and politics.

But whilst personal costs may have resulted for Salaman in producing this book, he inevitably leaves his readership richer (and unquestionably richer than the soil that sustained potatoes 16th century Ireland) in potato-y knowledge.
For any other like minded, avid potato fans out there, with your newfound wealth of potato- based knowledge, credit to the work of Salaman, you can undoubtedly impress your peers and intellectual superiors.

And for those who can not access this masterpiece at the library, it is also available on Google Books.

You will never be able to look at the humble potato the same way again.
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