Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World: A History [Paperback]

A WASHINGTON STATE BOOK AWARD FINALIST

New York Timesbestselling author William Alexander provides a fascinating and erudite micro-history of the tomato.

A captivatingand appetizingread. Amy Stewart,New York Timesbestselling author ofWicked Plants

The tomato gets no respect. Never has. Lost in the dustbin of history for centuries, accused of being vile and poisonous, subjected to being picked hard-green and gassed, even used as a projectile, the poor tomato has become the avatar for our disaffection with industrial foodswhile becoming the most popular vegetable in America (and, in fact, the world).

Each summer, tomato festivals crop up across the country; the Heinz ketchup bottle, instantly recognizable, has earned a spot in the Smithsonian; and now the tomato is redefining the very nature of farming, moving from fields into climate-controlled mega-greenhouses the size of New England villages.

Supported by meticulous research and told in a lively, accessible voice,Ten Tomatoes That Changed the Worldseamlessly weaves travel, history, humor, and a little adventure (and misadventure) to follow the tomato's trail through history. A fascinating story complete with heroes, con artists, conquistadors, andno surprisethe Mafia, this book is a mouth-watering, informative, and entertaining guide to the food that has captured our hearts for generations.