30 pages • 1 hour read
Sidney W. MintzSweetness and Power
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1985A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Sweetness and Power by Sidney W. Mintz explores the history of Caribbean sugar production and its impact on the global market and industrial capitalism. Mintz examines how sugar has held different meanings for various social classes over time, from an exotic status symbol to a daily necessity. The book highlights sugar's role in transforming food practices, the mercantile relationships between England and its colonies, and the societal shifts driven by industrial capitalism. Topics of forced labor and colonial exploitation are present.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Sidney W. Mintz's Sweetness and Power is widely praised for its meticulous research and insightful analysis of sugar's social and economic impact. Readers appreciate Mintz's engaging writing and interdisciplinary approach. However, some found the text dense and occasionally repetitive. Overall, it's a compelling examination of a commodity that shaped global history.
Who Should Read Sweetness and Power?
Sweetness and Power by Sidney W. Mintz appeals to readers interested in anthropology, global trade, and the historical impact of commodities. Comparable to Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel and Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma, it is ideal for those curious about how sugar shaped economics, culture, and society.