A Dark History of Chocolate
By Emma Kay
A Dark History of Chocolate. Pen and Sword History, 2021.
Summary of A Dark History of Chocolate book by Emma Kay
A close examination of the heritage of one of humankind’s most beloved edibles, from the bitter consequences its trade had on economies, health and those impacted by slavery, as well as how it has benefited pirates, colonialists, and conquerors.
Chapters in A Dark History of Chocolate book summary
What do you get from this book? The not-so-sweet story behind our most seductive treat
Chocolate, derived from the beans of the cacao tree, was an engine of the Conquistadors’ devastation of Aztec culture
Slavery has been intimately involved in the history of the chocolate industry, particularly in African nations
From savage pirates to ice-cold killers, chocolate has been the object and the enabler of violence for hundreds of years
In times of war, chocolate has been used by everyone from the Nazis to Napoleon, soldiers to spies
Many medical applications have been claimed for chocolate, and it has nourished explorers and aviators on dangerous adventures
The pre-twentieth century chocolate industry is littered with grim tales and sticky ends
Some of the modern chocolate giants were built on tragic stories, while others exploit both people and the planet
Art, movies, and music have their own insatiable relationship with chocolate
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
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A Dark History of Chocolate — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read A Dark History of Chocolate book
- Food historians
- chocoholics
- anthropologists
- those interested in revealing the past
- anyone curious about cacao
About the author of A Dark History of Chocolate
Emma Kay
Emma Kay is a historian and writer who has penned articles for the Daily Mail, the BBC, and the Times Literary Supplement. She has also presented TV shows on food history and penned several publications including Dining with the Victorians and A History of Herbalism.
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