Pub. Jonathan Cape, London 2002 (hardback), Vintage 2003 (paperback) 

This is a fascinating tale highlighting the importance of salt throughout our known history. Salt has been given a bad press in modern times, and people have avoided using it - because it has been used to excess in processed and junk foods. In fact, we need a moderate amount of salt, assuming we drink enough water each day. Without enough salt, one can fall ill and even die of hyponatraemia. This book is a well-written and far-reaching account, and contains a lot of information, ranging from interesting to vital. VG