Andrew Rimas and Evan D.G. Fraser have joined together to tell the remarkable story of the noble cow in Beef: The Untold Story of How Milk, Meat, and Muscle Shaped the World. In the bestselling tradition of Cod and Salt comes a lively history of our ongoing relationship with an animal that we have worked alongside, consumed, and even worshipped for thousands of years. The history of the cow is both surprising and fascinating, and Beef offers a unique overview of cattle yesterday, today, and tomorrow—from adoration to breeding to braising; from ancient Mediterranean bullfight rings to African villages to American stockyards—complete with amazing facts and trivia, wonderful recipes, and an important warning for the future of beef production.

The cow. Central to human existence since time began, cows have served as a source of food, a means of labor, an economic resource, an inspiration for art, and even as a religious icon—many cultures worshipped the cow as a god.

Beef is the captivating history of an animal whose relationship with humanity has shaped the world as we know it. Peppered with lively anecdotes and culinary tidbits, this engaging panoramic view of the cow's long and colorful history spans the globe—from ancient Mediterranean bullfighting rings to the rugged grazing grounds of eighteenth-century England, from the quiet farms of Japan's Kobe beef cows to crowded American stockyards and the remote villages in East Africa that are home to the Masai, to whom cattle mean everything. Leaving no stone unturned, Beef is not only a compelling story but a necessary call to arms, offering practical solutions for confronting the sad current condition of the wasteful and destructive beef and dairy industries.

You will never look at steak the same way again.