'Deft and era-spanning . . . Uta Seeburg compresses a vast culinary history into a collection that’s equal parts lively and illuminating.' — Mayukh Sen, author of Taste MakersWhat foods did ancient Egyptians think worthy of accompanying pharaohs into the afterlife? How could canned meat have doomed the 1845 Franklin expedition? Why did a king have to order his subjects to eat potatoes? Why did a sixteenth-century cookbook author argue that beavers should be considered fish? A revelatory romp through the history of humanity, this collection of fifty snackable essays answers all of these baffling culinary enigmas and more. Packed to the brim with juicy tidbits and cultural insights, How Would You Like Your Mammoth? is a fascinating look at how the food we eat defines us – and always has.

Did you know that ancient Egyptians mummified beef ribs for their dearly departed to enjoy in the afterlife? That Roman gladiators were relegated to a vegan diet of grains and beans? That the fast-food hamburger was a result of a postwar, high-efficiency work ethic?This snackable collection of essays is a chronological journey through the culinary history of humankind, packed to the brim with juicy tidbits. With author Uta Seeburg as your guide, you’ll learn how certain dishes serve as windows into broader historical trends and the cultural values of the people who first invented them. As you read, you’ll discover why:Nomads in ancient Syria were deadly serious about hospitalityA 16th-century cookbook author argued that beavers should be considered fishRoasted swan was the centerpiece of choice in 1650s high society—despite tasting awfulA Portuguese princess was responsible for popularizing tea in EnglandA king had to order his subjects to eat potatoes. . . and much more. Foodies and history buffs alike will savor every amusing yet educational historical snapshot, from how a bureaucratic society fixated on record-keeping brought us one of the oldest recorded recipes (lamb stew with barley and onions) to how modern-day chefs are turning invasive species into haute cuisine. How Would You Like Your Mammoth? is a fascinating look at how the food we eat defines us—and always has.

'Deft and era-spanning . . . Uta Seeburg compresses a vast culinary history into a collection that’s equal parts lively and illuminating.' — Mayukh Sen, author of Taste MakersWhat foods did ancient Egyptians think worthy of accompanying pharaohs into the afterlife? How could canned meat have doomed the 1845 Franklin expedition? Why did a king have to order his subjects to eat potatoes? Why did a sixteenth-century cookbook author argue that beavers should be considered fish? A revelatory romp through the history of humanity, this collection of fifty snackable essays answers all of these baffling culinary enigmas and more. Packed to the brim with juicy tidbits and cultural insights, How Would You Like Your Mammoth? is a fascinating look at how the food we eat defines us – and always has.

Did you know that ancient Egyptians mummified beef ribs for their dearly departed to enjoy in the afterlife? That Roman gladiators were relegated to a vegan diet of grains and beans? That the fast-food hamburger was a result of a postwar, high-efficiency work ethic?This snackable collection of essays is a chronological journey through the culinary history of humankind, packed to the brim with juicy tidbits. With author Uta Seeburg as your guide, you’ll learn how certain dishes serve as windows into broader historical trends and the cultural values of the people who first invented them. As you read, you’ll discover why:Nomads in ancient Syria were deadly serious about hospitalityA 16th-century cookbook author argued that beavers should be considered fishRoasted swan was the centerpiece of choice in 1650s high society—despite tasting awfulA Portuguese princess was responsible for popularizing tea in EnglandA king had to order his subjects to eat potatoes. . . and much more. Foodies and history buffs alike will savor every amusing yet educational historical snapshot, from how a bureaucratic society fixated on record-keeping brought us one of the oldest recorded recipes (lamb stew with barley and onions) to how modern-day chefs are turning invasive species into haute cuisine. How Would You Like Your Mammoth? is a fascinating look at how the food we eat defines us—and always has.