Beef
How Milk, Meat and Muscle Shaped the World
Published on 5. February 2009
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-84596-438-2 (ISBN)
Description
Since the beginning of human history, cattle have been central to our existence, not only as a source of food and labour but also as an inspiration for art, warfare and religion. In Beef, an exuberant, panoramic view of the cow's rich history, Andrew Rimas and Evan Fraser tell the surprising story of our relationship with an animal that we have worked alongside, consumed and even worshipped for thousands of years.
Rimas and Fraser examine the bovine legacy in its entirety, from breeding to braising, from hunting to worshipping, from ancient Mediterranean bullfighting rings to the rugged pastures of eighteenth-century England. Seasoned with anecdotes and recipes from across the globe, this entertaining tale serves not only as a compelling story but also as an indictment of the perilous state of beef production in Europe and the US - a situation closer to a health and economic emergency than most would like to believe. Readers will never look at a steak the same way again.
Rimas and Fraser examine the bovine legacy in its entirety, from breeding to braising, from hunting to worshipping, from ancient Mediterranean bullfighting rings to the rugged pastures of eighteenth-century England. Seasoned with anecdotes and recipes from across the globe, this entertaining tale serves not only as a compelling story but also as an indictment of the perilous state of beef production in Europe and the US - a situation closer to a health and economic emergency than most would like to believe. Readers will never look at a steak the same way again.
Reviews / Votes
"Beef . . . is like the perfectly cooked steak, a rare thing. [It combines] intelligence with accessibility and superb research with genuine enthusiasm" -- Simon Majumdar, author of Eat My Globe "This wonderful book gives us a greater understanding of the history - and importance - of cattle" -- Todd English, chef and restaurateur "The cow is a universal symbol and a universal resource. Its myth and history, from its first high status to its final sorry state in today's intensive food culture, is richly researched and tenderly told" * The Times * "The authors make a good case for their subject . . . a book which will make farmers and consumers shout alternately with rage and recognition" * Yorkshire Post *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Transworld Publishers Ltd
Illustrations
Five integrated b/w photos
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 144 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
385 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84596-438-2 (9781845964382)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Andrew Rimas is the managing editor of The Improper Bostonian Magazine. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including the Boston Globe magazine, Boston Magazine and Fodor's guidebooks.
Evan D.G. Fraser is a senior lecturer at the Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds. He works on farming systems, agriculture and climate change.
Evan D.G. Fraser is a senior lecturer at the Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds. He works on farming systems, agriculture and climate change.