Mark Kurlansky author page

Mark Kurlansky biography

Mark Kurlansky is an American author, journalist, and historian known for his works of non-fiction that explore the history and cultural significance of food, commodities, and regions. He began his career as a journalist, reporting from Europe, the Caribbean, and Mexico for publications such as the International Herald Tribune and the Chicago Tribune.

Kurlansky has written extensively for both adults and younger readers. His books often focus on the global impact of everyday items and historical events. Notable works include Cod: A Biography of the Fish that Changed the World (1997), which examines the influence of cod fishing on world history, and Salt: A World History (2002), which traces the role of salt in shaping civilisations. He has also written Paper: Paging Through History (2016), exploring the development and significance of paper.

For younger audiences, Kurlansky has adapted some of his adult works and written original titles, such as The Cod’s Tale (2001) and The Story of Salt (2006), both of which introduce historical and scientific concepts through accessible narratives and illustrations.

Kurlansky’s writing has received recognition in the form of awards and shortlistings. Cod won the James Beard Award for Excellence in Food Writing in 1998. His book 1968: The Year That Rocked the World (2004) was also widely reviewed and discussed for its analysis of a pivotal year in modern history.

In 2020, Kurlansky published Salmon: A Fish, the Earth, and the History of Their Common Fate, which investigates the relationship between humans and salmon, and the environmental challenges facing the species.