History of the World in Twelve Beans

Joël Broekaert is a culinary journalist and restaurant critic, author, and television and podcast presenter with a background in history studies. He is the author of several books about food and a judge for the Dutch edition of Celebrity MasterChef. He lives in The Netherlands.Michele Hutchison's translation work has won multiple prizes, including the International Booker. She was born in the UK, educated in the UK and France, and has lived in the Netherlands since 2004. Her translations for Greystone Books include Seaweed: An Enchanting Miscellany by Miek Zwamborn and Mushrooms And Company by Geert-Jan Roebers.

• Introduction1 The Pea and the Neolithic Revolution2 Lentils and the Old Testament3 The Fava Bean and Greek Philosophy4 The Fava Bean and the Carolingian Renaissance5 Soybeans and the Chinese Empire6 The Common Bean and Pre-Columbian America7 The Cocoa Bean and the Colonial Plantation Economy8 Peanuts and the Dutch East Indies9 The Coffee Bean and the Ideals of the Enlightenment10 Canned Beans and the Industrial Revolution11 The Black-Eyed Pea and Black American Emancipation12 The Chickpea and the Most Contested Patch of Land on Earth13 The Lupin Bean and the End TimesAcknowledgmentsNotesSelected Bibliography

Featured on NPR's All Things Considered“[A]n engaging look at the importance of tiny but mighty beans... [T]his entertaining and well-researched book is sure to interest curious readers."—Booklist“A History of the World in Twelve Beans is a fun, engaging read that will resonate with the Leguminati (as we affectionately call our customers) and anyone curious about the history of food and agriculture. It's a fascinating exploration of the central role legumes have played in shaping civilizations and cultures throughout history. I'll be keeping a copy on my bookshelf to revisit often.”—Julia Newberry, general manager of Rancho Gordo and co-author of the New York Times bestselling The Bean Book"Legume lovers will enjoy this informative ode to the unassuming food staple."—Publishers Weekly"Who knew that modern peas were ten times larger than their wild ancestor? Or that fava beans helped Europe survive the Dark Ages? I was enthralled and informed by this short and punchy history of beans which will open your eyes to some of the ways different beans have changed the course of history; and how they might again, in a future of climate change."—Bee Wilson, author of The Secret of Cooking and The Heart-Shaped Tin“A real page-turner packed with delightful, fascinating facts on all matters to do with beans of all shapes and sizes and their place in the story of civilization. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, after reading Joël’s book, you’ll understand just how amazing these simple seeds truly are.” —Adam Alexander, author of The Seed Detective“Overlooked, underappreciated, and often overcooked, the humble bean leaps to life in this fascinating history as Joël Broekaert spills the beans on the legume’s hidden role in two thousand years of wars, migrations, and conquests. A lively and entertaining read.”—William Alexander, author of Ten Tomatoes That Changed the World