Sugar Changed The World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science

In this accessible and revealing history of sugar, husband and wife historians Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos reveal how this ubiquitous and inconspicuous ingredient reshaped the Americas and made its way into every corner of modern life. From India originally, sugarcane found its way into Europe in the Middle Ages before Columbus eventually brought the first cuttings of sugarcane to the Americas. It would go on to dominate the economy of the Caribbean, demanding massive amounts of slave labor to farm it, and would be one of the first crops to become distributed globally as one of the hallmarks of early global capitalism. Written for young adult audiences, this book offers the curious middle or high school student a revealing glimpse into the history a product they consume every day.

(This title may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)