Cuisine and Empire, by Rachel Laudan

Rachel Laudan, Cuisine and Empire (2013)

A really fun read. Examines cooking as one of the first transformative technologies, and cuisine as a carrier of empire. Culinary techniques have served armies and disseminated culture across the world. It is on this list because the socio-technical contract long predates electricity, and this is the most enjoyable demonstration of that I know.

Read it asking: What does the way we eat say about the way we organize our society?