Synopses & Reviews
The cow. Central to human existence since time began, cows have served as a source of food, a means of labor, an economic resource, an inspiration for art, and even as a religious icon—many cultures worshipped the cow as a god.
Beef is the captivating history of an animal whose relationship with humanity has shaped the world as we know it. Peppered with lively anecdotes and culinary tidbits, this engaging panoramic view of the cow's long and colorful history spans the globe—from ancient Mediterranean bullfighting rings to the rugged grazing grounds of eighteenth-century England, from the quiet farms of Japan's Kobe beef cows to crowded American stockyards and the remote villages in East Africa that are home to the Masai, to whom cattle mean everything. Leaving no stone unturned, Beef is not only a compelling story but a necessary call to arms, offering practical solutions for confronting the sad current condition of the wasteful and destructive beef and dairy industries.
You will never look at steak the same way again.
Synopsis
Andrew Rimas and Evan D.G. Fraser have joined together to tell the remarkable story of the noble cow in Beef: The Untold Story of How Milk, Meat, and Muscle Shaped the World. In the bestselling tradition of Cod and Salt comes a lively history of our ongoing relationship with an animal that we have worked alongside, consumed, and even worshipped for thousands of years. The history of the cow is both surprising and fascinating, and Beef offers a unique overview of cattle yesterday, today, and tomorrow from adoration to breeding to braising; from ancient Mediterranean bullfight rings to African villages to American stockyards complete with amazing facts and trivia, wonderful recipes, and an important warning for the future of beef production."
Synopsis
The world is passionate about beef. From America's unending love affair with steakhouses to Japan's fashionable Kobe dishes to the village fires of rural Africa, where dependence on cattle is often the backbone of tribal society, beef is the meat that moves us. Since the beginning of human history, cattle have been central to our existence, not only as a source of food and labor but also as an inspiration for art, warfare, and religion. In Beef, students learn an exuberant, panoramic view of the cow's rich history.
"Beef . . . is like the perfectly cooked steak, a rare thing. Combining intelligence with accessibility and superb research with genuine enthusiasm. . . . It will make you want to go and eat a large steak. Ribeye, of course, and there can be no higher compliment."-Simon Majumdar, author of Eat My Globe: One Year to Go Everywhere-and Eat Everything
Synopsis
The authors offer an exuberant, panoramic view of the cow's rich legacy in its entirety, from breeding to braising, hunting to worshipping. Rimas and Fraser also provide practical solutions that can guide the industry toward a more sustainable future.
Synopsis
The cow. Central to human existence since time began, cows have served as a source of food, a means of labor, an economic resource, an inspiration for art, and even as a religious icon—many cultures worshipped the cow as a god.
Beefis the captivating history of an animal whose relationship with humanity has shaped the world as we know it. Peppered with lively anecdotes and culinary tidbits, this engaging panoramic view of the cow's long and colorful history spans the globe—from ancient Mediterranean bullfighting rings to the rugged grazing grounds of eighteenth-century England, from the quiet farms of Japan's Kobe beef cows to crowded American stockyards and the remote villages in East Africa that are home to the Masai, to whom cattle mean everything. Leaving no stone unturned, Beef is not only a compelling story but a necessary call to arms, offering practical solutions for confronting the sad current condition of the wasteful and destructive beef and dairy industries.
You will never look at steak the same way again.
Synopsis
Andrew Rimas and Evan D.G. Fraser have joined together to tell the remarkable story of the noble cow in Beef: The Untold Story of How Milk, Meat, and Muscle Shaped the World. In the bestselling tradition of Cod and Salt comes a lively history of our ongoing relationship with an animal that we have worked alongside, consumed, and even worshipped for thousands of years. The history of the cow is both surprising and fascinating, and Beef offers a unique overview of cattle yesterday, today, and tomorrow—from adoration to breeding to braising; from ancient Mediterranean bullfight rings to African villages to American stockyards—complete with amazing facts and trivia, wonderful recipes, and an important warning for the future of beef production.
About the Author
Andrew Rimas is a journalist and the managing editor of the Improper Bostonian Magazine. He has worked as an associate editor for Boston Magazine and his writing has appeared in the Boston Globe, Boston Globe Magazine, and the Ottawa Citizen, among other publications. He lives in Boston.