The Hungry Empire selects twenty foods as a way into the history of the British Empire. Through historical events such as how Africans taught Americans to grow rice, how the East India Company turned opium into tea, and how Americans became the best-fed people in the world, it gives a detailed account of the development of trade, the migration of species, the movement of people, and technological innovation between Britain and its colonies from the sixteenth century to the present.
In fact, every meal we eat today still bears the taste of empire. From the Far East to the New World, from cod and beef to spices, tea, and sugar, the empire drew on edible resources from across the globe, allowing the British people to leave behind a diet of poverty, monotony, and despair and enter an age of abundance. With a fresh and distinctive narrative style, author Lizzie Collingham vividly depicts the crucial role these foods played at pivotal moments in British history, offering an entirely new perspective on the formation of empire. Like other historical sources, food reflects the progress of civilization and the social currents of its time.
This book not only brings to life the social culture and material existence of the British Empire during its colonial era, providing an invaluable reference for understanding British society and cultural exchange, but also opens up new avenues for understanding the capitalist economy and the formation and development of modern civilization.
I especially like the author's detailed descriptions of various foods, which make me feel like I can smell the taste of those distant times. However, I kind of hate the characters who loot and exploit during the colonization process. This makes me appreciate the food I eat now more, and also makes me understand that food is not only a part of life, but also reflects the changes in society. I recommend you read it, you will definitely gain a lot!