How Would You Like Your Mammoth?: 12,000 Years of Culinary History in 50 Bite-Size Essays

Did you know that 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 is not a cookbook; instead, How Would You Like Your Mammoth? is a chronological journey through the culinary history of humankind, with fifty short, snackable essays packed to the brim with juicy tidbits and cultural insights. With author Uta Seeburg as your guide, you'll learn not only which dishes are linked to key cultural moments, but also how each represents the social hierarchy and values of the civilization that invented it. Discover how and why: the Columbian exchange gave Indian curry its spicy kick; roasted swan became the centerpiece of choice in spectacle-loving 1650s high society; a Portuguese princess helped popularize tea in England; the first dish ever to be prepared live on television was an omelet; and much more. Foodies and history buffs alike will savor every amusing yet educational historical snapshot, from one of the oldest recorded recipes (lamb stew with barley and onions) to out-of-this-world food fit for astronauts (dehydrated chicken soup just like mom used to make).