Ten Tomatoes That Changed the World: A History

Biographical Note:
William Alexander is a New York Times bestselling author and the writer of three critically-acclaimed books, including The $64 Tomato: How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity, Spent a Fortune, and Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Garden. He's been featured on NPR's Morning Edition and Weekend Edition, and has written for the New York Times, the LA Times, Saveur, and others.

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"This spirit of curiosity proves an asset to Ten Tomatoes That Changed the World--the writer's reactions and discoveries often seem to be simultaneous with those of the reader. Mr. Alexander holds forth with the goofy charm of a high-school math teacher--just swap out the trapezoid jokes for tomato puns--keeping his lessons droll, not dull ... I don't know if even the most delicious summer tomato can explain our place on the planet. But knowing more about its improbable history makes every bite that much sweeter."-- The Wall Street Journal

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"William Alexander takes readers on a world tour through history, from the tomato's regional origins in Mexico to its ubiquitousness in the present day. Along the way, his play sense of humor makes his book endlessly surprising."-- Bookpage, starred review

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"Culinary history buffs will revel in the myriad anecdotes Alexander unearths here."-- Booklist

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"[A]n engaging look at the humble fruit. . . Eccentric, informative, and thoroughly enjoyable."-- Kirkus Reviews

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"[O]ne of the most delightful history books of the season. . . By the time you finish his book, you'll marvel at how much [Alexander] managed to squeeze into 300 pages."-- Air Mail

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"From the man who grew us The $64 Tomato, William Alexander is back in the garden...as well as in pizzerias in Naples (Italy), a ketchup factory, the local Pizza Hut, large-scale tomatoes farms in Naples (Florida), and the farmers markets where heirloom tomatoes are having their day in the sun, again. Ten Tomatoes That Changed the World is a fascinating and funny tell-all tale of how ten tomatoes are shaping our lives in unusual, unexpected, and (in some cases) very delicious directions."-- David Lebovitz, author of Drinking French and My Paris Kitchen

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"William Alexander has written an entertaining, broad-ranging history of the tomato, in a conversational, humorous style that uses tomatoes to explore history -- from the Aztecs to Italian cuisine and pizza -- along with the introduction of fascinating characters, issues such as climate change and hydroponics, heirloom mania, and the search for flavor in a world of GMOs and factory farming."-- Mark Pendergrast, author of Uncommon Grounds and For God, Country and Coca-Cola

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"William Alexander is a delightful guide on this whirlwind tour of the tomato's influence on global cuisine and culture. His trademark blend of history, botany, memoir and travelogue make Ten Tomatoes That Changed the World a captivating--and appetizing--read for gardeners and cooks alike."-- Amy Stewart, New York Times bestselling author of The Drunken Botanist

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"A thrilling history ... Alexander's narrative delivers a story that's as informative as it is funny and filled with awe ... Food lovers will savor every bit."-- Publishers Weekly

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"Written in a lighthearted style, this engaging book includes historical photos and illustrations, and is packed with fascinating factoids. This is the type of book where readers will find themselves spouting historical tidbits to everyone in their orbit ... A fun book that both instructs and entertains on every page."-- Library Journal

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"[T]his witty firsthand narrative transcends its topic, niche, and season while tackling that nagging question we all want answered: Why do winter tomatoes taste so awful?"-- AudioFile Magazine

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"[E]ngaging and immersive." -- Edible Inland Northwest

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PRAISE FOR WILLIAM ALEXANDER