You may have to Search all our reviewed books and magazines, click the sign up button below to create a free account.
Presenting a rare glimpse into the dining rooms of Belgian nobility from the Middle Ages to modern times, specialists in the field discuss gastronomy and festive culture in a historical and sociological context. This stunning work provides insights into both the culinary proclivities and table manors of these epic gourmands, answering such questions as What was the daily menu of the dukes of Burgundy? What was behind the sudden enthusiasm for saltwater fish in the 17th century? and Why were exotic desserts so popular in the 19th century? A valuable addition to the historical study of Belgian Noblemen and the ruling elite, this bilingual collection--presented in both English and French--creates a wonderfully rich portrait of the past, from the dukes of Burgundy to Belgian royalty.
Anyone interested in the history of Eritrea, Ethiopia, or Italian and British Imperialism will learn much from this book. It gives the full texts of the treasure-house of unpublished documents on which the same author's Lords of the Red Sea was based. These documents were produced at the end of the 19th century by the Italian administrators in Eritrea who dealt with the local nomads. These young officers became intrigued by the society and history of the highly developed Habab tribe, even as they became part of that history, replacing loose hegemony with direct sovereignty. Their records document not only their own important role in the "Scramble for Africa" but also the whole culture and historical memory of a fascinating society.