2012 Reprint of 1962 Edition. Exact facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. The authors recount the many voyages, expeditions, intrigues and wars it took to bring the food and plants we take for granted to our doorsteps. The authors provide hundreds of curious and little known facts surrounding such items as cereals, stimulants, coffees, teas, colas, cocoas, beers, whiskies, cotton, sugar rubber, the potato, tomato, peanut and numerous other items. The book contains 200 illustrations culled from old herbals and rare manuscripts, making this volume a useful pictorial history and sourcebook for artists, folklorists and collectors.