Well, this is something different. Prior to reading this, I asked a friend about what they thought about the book so far, and I took it with a grain of salt (har har har...punny) when they said it was completely awesome. Actually, thats a lie. I just wanted to make a very bad play on words.
Like I mentioned earlier, this is definitely something different. Not only is the subject matter a bit unusual, but it's been a pretty long time since I've read a nonfiction novel, so this is a nice change of pace. Now about this whole salt thing: I was really surprised at how well the author was able to incorporate the significance of salt and almost history book-sounding information into the story. It flows very nicely, and certainly feels much less constricted than any history book. I like how the author kind of sublety includes the importance of salt into large historical events. I'm sure the author knew that it'd be pretty excruciating to read a whole novel filled soley with boring salt facts. Probably wouldn't be very fun to write, either...
I'm not going to lie, though. I can't say that I'm super intrigued by the various ways that salt ties into history. Maybe if Kurlansky found ways to tie in sports...or violence and missing limbs...or pets...or more missing limbs into history I'd be more into it. Even though I don't love it though, it does make for an interesting read. I certainly never knew how much salt tied into world history, and its kind of fun to learn about it.
One of the most thought-provoking sections, for me, was the debate about whether the salt and iron taxes should be reapealed or not. I'm usually all about morals and doing the fair thing, but I'm not going to side with the Confucians on this one. I think that in that time period, large taxes would be absolutely necessary to keep a government and civilization stable. Especially when there were really no forms of transportation, other than walking or animal drawn carriges, to get in touch and do business with other states, a state would need an easy to get, sure source of revenue to keep running. Sorry Confucius. I still think you had a pretty cool beard. =)
My overall opinion on this book so far isn't that its one of my favorites, but its by no means negative. Maybe a 7 out of 10. We'll see how things go.
Actually, a 7.5 out of ten, because of all the nifty recipies it tells us about. I think I'm going to tell my mom to make me some Zhacai, so I can have a little snack when I get married later on in life.
My dad can balance a salt shaker like this, by the way...
10 comments:
either i thought it was way crapper than you did, or i'm more honest. : ) it's a weird book. alos, i'm not a big fan of nonfiction.. i think i'd rather read our cultures book in its entirety. but i'll probably have to do them both anyway. i think i'll comment unhistory related.. my retainer does not fit in kay's mouth. i have to do chem, my finger hurts.
comment me i guess.
is this myspacelike?
wait!
you and tim are adorable.. i have many similar pictures.
i'm trying not to load my bloggerthing with a ton of pictures. i have a photo problem.
well...i do believe we have established the fact that lori has myspace issues...other then that maybe kurlansky will include a future of salt, where it falls into a black hole or something. the french are making a machine that can make black holes, im betting on an end of the world scenerio..fantastic pic...I <3 teh random eskimo hat...im going to see if anybody even posts on my dealy, i hope they dont, that would be hilarious...my blog will be the plague..mkays i should really stop typing now...oh and btw your helicopter kicked my butt
I'm sorry that you don't absolutely love the book yet. Maybe it will get better for you? As far as missing limbs go... i can see the author saying "once a man cut off his arm, put salt on it, and said that it burnt". I could also see that whole ordeal turning into one of those Chinese stories like in "Joy Luck Club."
The whole "taxing salt really high thing" sounds a lot like communism because the government controlled the monopoly, the price, and gained the profits. Sounds like the people really didn't have a say. But at least the money built walls around the city. I dont know. I guess i have mixed feelings. If Obama ruled back then he would probably raise the taxes more and then "spread the wealth around." Good ol' Obama.
Very impressive salt shaker balancing, Timmy. I applaud you.
I agree that the debate over the salt monopoly was really interesting. I feel like monopolies are wrong because they kill innovation, but governments do need money to build roads and schools and massive walls. It's too bad that they couldn't have found more of a middle ground.
You are right--This is certainly interesting. It does seem like a soup without...salt in that it doesnt have any violence and dismemberment, but I think Kurlansky's use of something simple like salt is the best part. Reading this is like having a conversation with a housefly. It's so random; however, just when you wonder what got you reading about different cultures, you can count on salt having something to do with it.
I agree with your rating. It's an interesting concept and has caught my attention, but its too early to fall in love.
HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO A WORD VERIFICATION IF I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE LETTERS ARE?!
I'm alright...seriously-It's fine. Don't worry about me. The least they could do is give me a little refresh button.
VIOLENCE AND MISSING LIMBS FTW!!!!
Yeah, there definitely needs to be some action in this book. I know it's supposed to be nonfiction, and informative, and pretty much a biography on salt, but I want some action! A plot! Something! I just feel distracted whilst reading because it is all just information on salt.
And I liked your pun within the pun thar. Harhar, I think I made a funny myself. You know, word within the word, pun within the pun. Right? Ok, maybe not. Just kidding.
Your blog looks pretty sweet. I need to put some pictars on mine. I will when I get my new internet :D :D :D :D :D :D
Bahaha. Win
Hm, I dont know why I find it so strange that you think this book is good, but I do. It just doesn't seem like a very Timmy like book, but I am not sure why. I agree with lori on the whole reading the whole cultures book thing instead. Also, I am blogging instead of watching the season finale of greek, thats how much I love you.
seriously.
enough with the "yins."
it looks even worse in print.
it's terrible.
Good pun attack.
Yeah, I get all kinds of comments like, "Why is he making me read this." or "How can a book be just about salt?" blah, blah, but it is nice to hear someone like yourself enjoy reading nonfiction.
YOU WROTE: "I was really surprised at how well the author was able to incorporate the significance of salt and almost history book-sounding information into the story."
That's the point for reading it. He uses something so comon and plain, but ties it in historically which is not something often found. As you mention, it does flow nicely, hoping from one place to the next but has salt in common.
As for your "truthful" comments, it is not all that important for me as a teacher to know that you are "entertained" enough by the subject matter. Sure I want you to find the info interesting, but so many kids today feel it's their birthright to be entertained or catered to, so if I may be bluntly honest back, to those who gripe about how boring salt is, my response would be "Deal with it, and do your work."
FINALLY AN HONEST REVIEW:
"Even though I don't love it though, it does make for an interesting read."
Great comments about the salt-iron debate and Confucius gig.
Not sure I asked for a book review, but intersting take on things just the same.
Mr. Farrell
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