The Bagel: The Surprising History of a Modest Bread

Despite the overindulgence of yesterday, food remains on the mind. But, thanks to this book, we can opt for intellectual rather than unneeded physical consumption. At some point in time, we’ve all enjoyed a bagel. Many of us have probably argued over where to find “the best.” They’ve been a conduit for lox, the base of an egg and cheese sandwhich and, perhaps, even an object of mystery. If the latter has peaked your interest, Maria Balinska’s The Bagel: The Surprising History of a Modest Bread is for you. Balinska traces the bagels history from 17th century Poland to the American freezer through archival research and personal interview.

The book is available from Yale University Press. Feed your mind this Black Friday.