num_pages: 320
description: New York Times bestselling author William Alexander takes readers on the surprisingly twisty journey of the beloved tomato in this fascinating and erudite microhistory.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 foods  while 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 World seamlessly 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.
language: English
title: Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World: A History
publisher: Grand Central Publishing