9780062973238
Play Sample

The Secret History of Food audiobook

  • By: Matt Siegel
  • Narrator: Roger Wayne
  • Category: Cooking, Essays & Narratives
  • Length: 5 hours 30 minutes
  • Publisher: HarperAudio
  • Publish date: August 31, 2021
  • Language: English
  • (2750 ratings)
(2750 ratings)
33% Cheaper than Audible
Get for $0.00
  • $9.99 per book vs $14.95 at Audible
    Good for any title to download and keep
  • Listen at up to 4.5x speed
    Good for any title to download and keep
  • Fall asleep to your favorite books
    Set a sleep timer while you listen
  • Unlimited listening to our Classics.
    Listen to thousands of classics for no extra cost. Ever
Loading ...
Regular Price: 20.99 USD

The Secret History of Food Audiobook Summary

An irreverent, surprising, and entirely entertaining look at the little-known history surrounding the foods we know and love

Is Italian olive oil really Italian, or are we dipping our bread in lamp oil? Why are we masochistically drawn to foods that can hurt us, like hot peppers? Far from being a classic American dish, is apple pie actually . . . English?

“As a species, we’re hardwired to obsess over food,” Matt Siegel explains as he sets out “to uncover the hidden side of everything we put in our mouths.” Siegel also probes subjects ranging from the myths–and realities–of food as aphrodisiac, to how one of the rarest and most exotic spices in all the world (vanilla) became a synonym for uninspired sexual proclivities, to the role of food in fairy- and morality tales. He even makes a well-argued case for how ice cream helped defeat the Nazis.

The Secret History of Food is a rich and satisfying exploration of the historical, cultural, scientific, sexual, and, yes, culinary subcultures of this most essential realm. Siegel is an armchair Anthony Bourdain, armed not with a chef’s knife but with knowledge derived from medieval food-related manuscripts, ancient Chinese scrolls, and obscure culinary journals. Funny and fascinating, The Secret History of Food is essential reading for all foodies.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Other Top Audiobooks

The Secret History of Food Audiobook Narrator

Roger Wayne is the narrator of The Secret History of Food audiobook that was written by Matt Siegel

Matt Siegel has written about food and culture for publications including the Atlantic and the Paris Review. Previously an English professor, he now lives in Richmond, Virginia, where he writes full time and consults with brands in the food and beverage industries. His dog’s name is Waffles.

About the Author(s) of The Secret History of Food

Matt Siegel is the author of The Secret History of Food

More From the Same

The Secret History of Food Full Details

Narrator Roger Wayne
Length 5 hours 30 minutes
Author Matt Siegel
Category
Publisher HarperAudio
Release date August 31, 2021
ISBN 9780062973238

Subjects

The publisher of the The Secret History of Food is HarperAudio. includes the following subjects: The BISAC Subject Code is Cooking, Essays & Narratives

Additional info

The publisher of the The Secret History of Food is HarperAudio. The imprint is HarperAudio. It is supplied by HarperAudio. The ISBN-13 is 9780062973238.

Global Availability

This book is only available in the United States.

Goodreads Reviews

Julie

January 17, 2022

The Secret History of Food by Matt Siegal is a 2021 Ecco publication. This is a fun look at the history of some our most common- and beloved foods- such as apple pie, for example. The book takes what could be a great deal of minutia and trivia and turned it into an entertaining history and food lesson. The sarcastic remarks added humor, while keeping one engaged and focused. Food is definitely something we spend a great deal of time thinking about, but how often do we really stop to consider the history of the food, or the psychological connections behind our food choices? Do we really eat hot chilies to distract us from other types of pain? The science in this book appears to be dependable information, and I found it to be quite fascinating. Some of the lists went on a little too long, as we got the gist long before Siegal exhausted us on the various flavors of Prego Pasta sauce, though the points made about numerous choices we are presented with in the supermarket was interesting. I can attest to feeling a little overwhelmed by the overabundance of brands, flavors, sizes, etc., from time to time. Also, worth noting for those considering this book, nearly half of it is dedicated to notes. It is good to see the sources and I feel comforted by the legitimacy of the information I am asked to absorb, but I do wish there was some way to give readers a heads up about the actual number of reading pages in a book before purchasing it. Other than that, this is an excellent way to learn about some little-known food facts, we should all consider, and is presented in an entertaining, engrossing manner. It’s also a quick, easy read that shouldn’t take long to digest…3.5 stars

Alicia

June 01, 2021

Interesting, fun and well written. This is the sort of nonfiction that's quite entertaining, and it seems well researched. I was surprised to reach the end when I was just over halfway through the book because the footnote section is so long. A fun read.I read a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.

OutlawPoet

March 22, 2021

Well, I want pie. But I want American-Style pie, not the pie of old Europe. I am also now somewhat uncomforable eating bread in public - because now I know….The Secret History of Food is just plain fun! In this brief history of food, the author takes us on a worldwide journey of eating! Some of it (seriously…I want pie) will thrill you. Some of it (can we say Vagina Bread?) will startle you. And some things (I’m looking at you, Fidel Castro!) will amuse you. But all of it is fascinating!The author’s style is so readable – I felt like I was reading food gossip. Not only did I enjoy every bit of it, I kept stopping to share tidbits with others.A wonderfully entertaining book!*ARC Provided via Net Galley

Diane

September 04, 2021

If you, like me, are constantly googling random things as questions come up, you will love The Secret History of Food. It provides more in-depth information than Wikipedia. Luckily, it also goes off in weird tangents and down deep rabbit holes when an intriguing side fact is found.Here is an example. Why is vanilla slang for something plain and white? Vanilla is blackish-brown and relatively expensive. This leads through the obvious “for rich or royals” origin story of ice cream. Then to Prohibition where breweries and distilleries switched from alcohol to ice cream—setting Americans up for a new addiction. Ice cream impacted both world wars. During the 1950s, Castro was busy smuggling it into Cuba for his own use.Vanilla is just one of nine food-focused chapters. Pie, honey, cereal, corn, chili peppers, tomatoes, holiday festivals, and fast food are also discussed.The Secret History of Food is an interesting and unique look into how food impacts both our lives and those of our ancestors. I enjoyed learning new secrets about food. 4 stars!Thanks to Ecco and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rennie

October 07, 2021

Highly entertaining but awfully ambitious re: “everything we eat” in such a short book. If you’re ok with no overarching thesis or uniting idea and what feels like a loose collection of (albeit really interesting) articles, this is great. Lots of interesting little factoids you’ll never forget even if you’d like to.

Casey

September 28, 2022

An interesting audiobook full of intriguing tidbits, such as these three:1 - Honey is so unregulated that one can buy a jar of "honey" which is pure high-fructose corn syrup with food coloring. I couldn't confirm that fact online, but I did find an article showing the possible percentages of corn syrup in honey up to 50 percent.2 - People tend to feel happier as they get more choices, but only up to 6 or 7 options. Any more and it's downhill from there. With too many choices, the fear of missing out kicks in. No wonder some people leave the cereal aisle in tears -- just too many d*mn options!3 - And forget the government diet recommendations. The government's so in bed with the meat and dairy industry, they push those products regardless of the science.And much more. The part about apple pie was a bit boring, but most of the book was not.Very recommended.

Assaph

December 22, 2021

I love history, I love food, I love the food in history - so naturally this book held a great appeal.What to ExpectExpect 10 chapters in rough chronological order about certain less well-known episodes or aspects of food in history. From 'swallowing' (covering ante-natal sense of taste and impact of food during breastfeeding to culinary effect of cooking on the evolution of our jaws and skulls), through the history of vanilla (why one of the most expensive spices ever is the modern euphemism for boring), to chilli peppers and tomatoes (why humans are weird, and often silly).Half the book are end-notes and footnotes, the former showing the extensive research Siegel has done, the latter providing (highly entertaining) cutting-room extra anecdotes and snarky commentary.What I likedI enjoyed the odd-ball curios and trivia that the book is packed with, and the light tone, side-commentary and extensive breadth of subjects. This is a book to make you think about the food you consume and what you 'know' about it, more than it is about teaching you cultural culinary history.What to be aware ofThis isn't a history textbook on food - if you'd like a more formal take on that, I'd suggest Ken Albala's courses and books. Rather, this is a book about our species relationship to food throughout history. It covers thought-provoking topics like the paradox of choice, and plenty vs deprivation.Though I did notice one error (re the etymology of Sabbath), the book is otherwise well researched. So much so, that's the second half is just reference notes. This makes it a quicker read than you might expect from the page count.SummaryI'd highly recommend this book if you love food throughout history (and all permutations of those two words). Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He's the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.

Nora

September 30, 2021

This is a surprising, informative, enlightening book filled with food history that blew me away and got me thinking. The author also talks about some superstitions and things that make you go what? The author has an entertaining yet sincere way of discussing food that is easy to read. I found it fascinating to learn the history of pies, where they were originated and where the American’s humble pie saying was originated. The author brings up some weird food practices, thoughts on food and fears about different types of foods others thought as ok. Learning to use fire to cook food made it easier to chew and changed everything, how we prepared, ate, and shared food. I never gave it much thought. Some chapter titles are Pie, Progress and Plymouth Rock, Breakfast of Champions, Children of the Corn, Honey Laundering, The Vanilla Society, The Ghosts of Cockaigne past, The Choices of a New Generation Forbidden Berries, The choices of a new generation, Attack of the Killer tomato.I was fascinated by the talk about cereal and how it came to be. How it became the “breakfast of champions?” the author says, “…it’s a morning staple enjoyed by 93 percent of Americans,…prevalent on grocery lists that it not only gets its own aisle in the supermarket but plays a key role in the psychology… cereal transcends race, social class, age, gender – and even dietary guidelines,…”For many people, it’s the one food that they still eat sitting down, at a table, or with family.”The evolution of the breakfast cereal was intriguing. Another game changer in the way we eat was how the drive thru was created. The author packs a bunch in this 288 page book that will have you looking at your food in a very different way, especially when you learn about honey and corn.Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”Nora St. LaurentTBCN Where Book Fun Begins!The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

Suzanne

May 02, 2021

This is such a wonderful book that I’m sorry I’ve finished it! THE SECRET HISTORY OF FOOD is stuffed with stories, anecdotes, warnings and just plain factoid-filled. Since much of what author Matt Siegel writes can seem unbelievable, almost half the book is devoted to footnotes and source documents. Siegel has a sense of the absurd and wonderful about everything humans have found to put in their mouths or rub on their bodies (or sell unsuspecting customers.) I loved every minute of this book and if he wants to write another, I’ll be waiting anxiously. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Angie

May 03, 2021

I can get hooked on a great opening scene, but I don’t ever remember being so drawn by a dedication! As soon as I read that Matt Siegel wrote this book “For my mother, and her cooking. And my father, and his eating”, I knew I would like this book. The Secret History of Food is a lively compendium of information about food, all kinds of food and all kinds of information about it. Its title is very appropriate, because I can guarantee that there is a LOT in this book you did not know, whether it is that pie crust was not originally intended to be an edible part of the dish but merely something for the diner to hold while eating the contents or the fact that vanilla is the only edible “fruit” that grows on orchids. As you might guess from that dedication, the writing style is light and enjoyable but carefully crafted. Just as the dedication was nicely done, the chapter endings practically all left me with a big smile on my face. Each chapter treats a different subject, and the intriguing titles include topics like Breakfast of Champions, Children of the Corn, Honey Laundering, and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (Did you know that the average American ate 47 pounds of tomatoes in 2018?). Within those rather specific-sounding chapters, though, the information is wide-ranging. For example, the chapter on honey tells us that beehives were used as projectiles in wartime as far back as the Stone Age. Sometimes the interesting factoids were so wide-ranging that I wondered a bit about the relationship to food, but it was all fun.If you like history or learning odd facts or just want to be able to impress your friends with your “strange but true” knowledge at the next party, The Secret History of Food will be a tasty addition to your literary menu.

Catie

June 03, 2021

The Secret History of Food is my kind of book. I love learning trivia in context and this does just that. Matt Siegel spins a story about the progression of food: what we eat, why, and the larger issues that surround it. From why we like McDonalds, to the rise of corn and it’s prolific usage, the multitude of reasons the body wasn’t meant to eat chili peppers, and on to the physical and psychological effect of choice and variety (or lack there of) in the foods we eat, this book fits so much in a small package. I wish I could have gone a little more in depth on a few topics but that’s not what this was meant as. It did as it was intended to do: it wet my appetite for the history of what we eat and why and provided so much food for thought at the store. I hope you give it a shot and learn as much as I did. As my roommate could attest, I loved the book and the unusual facts and humorous writing contained within.

Erin

August 16, 2021

Foodies and trivia lovers will eat up this irreverent and fascinating book about the origins, misconceptions, science, and subculture behind certain foods and spices. Author, Matt Siegel, digs deep to uncover weirdly entertaining facts about food that will leave readers both fascinated and moderately disgusted. From the origins of a well known cereal, to mummified heads in honey, to the most expensive and exotic spice in the world being used to describe boring sex lives; The Secret History of Food has something in it for everyone. Over the course of ten chapters, Siegel spills the beans on so many different "common" foods, that walking into the grocery store or showing up at a potluck with your favorite dish will never be the same again. Brilliantly read by Roger Wayne who effuses energy and hilarity into his narration. A feast for the mind.

Frequently asked questions

Listening to audiobooks not only easy, it is also very convenient. You can listen to audiobooks on almost every device. From your laptop to your smart phone or even a smart speaker like Apple HomePod or even Alexa. Here’s how you can get started listening to audiobooks.

  • 1. Download your favorite audiobook app such as Speechify.
  • 2. Sign up for an account.
  • 3. Browse the library for the best audiobooks and select the first one for free
  • 4. Download the audiobook file to your device
  • 5. Open the Speechify audiobook app and select the audiobook you want to listen to.
  • 6. Adjust the playback speed and other settings to your preference.
  • 7. Press play and enjoy!

While you can listen to the bestsellers on almost any device, and preferences may vary, generally smart phones are offer the most convenience factor. You could be working out, grocery shopping, or even watching your dog in the dog park on a Saturday morning.
However, most audiobook apps work across multiple devices so you can pick up that riveting new Stephen King book you started at the dog park, back on your laptop when you get back home.

Speechify is one of the best apps for audiobooks. The pricing structure is the most competitive in the market and the app is easy to use. It features the best sellers and award winning authors. Listen to your favorite books or discover new ones and listen to real voice actors read to you. Getting started is easy, the first book is free.

Research showcasing the brain health benefits of reading on a regular basis is wide-ranging and undeniable. However, research comparing the benefits of reading vs listening is much more sparse. According to professor of psychology and author Dr. Kristen Willeumier, though, there is good reason to believe that the reading experience provided by audiobooks offers many of the same brain benefits as reading a physical book.

Audiobooks are recordings of books that are read aloud by a professional voice actor. The recordings are typically available for purchase and download in digital formats such as MP3, WMA, or AAC. They can also be streamed from online services like Speechify, Audible, AppleBooks, or Spotify.
You simply download the app onto your smart phone, create your account, and in Speechify, you can choose your first book, from our vast library of best-sellers and classics, to read for free.

Audiobooks, like real books can add up over time. Here’s where you can listen to audiobooks for free. Speechify let’s you read your first best seller for free. Apart from that, we have a vast selection of free audiobooks that you can enjoy. Get the same rich experience no matter if the book was free or not.

It depends. Yes, there are free audiobooks and paid audiobooks. Speechify offers a blend of both!

It varies. The easiest way depends on a few things. The app and service you use, which device, and platform. Speechify is the easiest way to listen to audiobooks. Downloading the app is quick. It is not a large app and does not eat up space on your iPhone or Android device.
Listening to audiobooks on your smart phone, with Speechify, is the easiest way to listen to audiobooks.

footer-waves