I was thinking about a different book:
The history and social influence of the potato. RN Salaman - 1949 - Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
He ran a hospital. Had a nervous breakdown. Asked his gardener (probably an Irishman) to recommend a plan to study. The gardener (probably sarcastically) recommended the potato.
I read it in the 60s. It made a deep impression on me.
On Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 07:26:18AM -0000, James Heartfield wrote:
> Michael Perelman
> "Do you mean the History & Social Influence of the Potato. Outstanding
> book."
>
> The one my friend is reading is called Propitious Esculent:The potato in world history, by John Reader
> http://www.amazon.co.uk/Propitious-Esculent-Potato-World-History/dp/0434013188/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226388063&sr=8-1
>
> I will recommend him the Redcliffe and Hawkes http://www.amazon.co.uk/History-Social-Influence-Potato/dp/B001BF8DJI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226388268&sr=1-2
> ___________________________________
> http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk
-- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu michaelperelman.wordpress.com