Mark Kurlansky

Mark Kurlansky is an American journalist, historian, and nonfiction author whose engaging books explore world history through the lens of seemingly ordinary subjects such as food, commodities, and place. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, he developed an early interest in history and storytelling before studying theater at Butler University. After leaving university, he pursued a career in journalism, working as a reporter and foreign correspondent across Europe and Latin America. His years covering politics, conflict, and culture, particularly in the Basque Country, provided the foundation for the meticulous research and narrative style that characterize his books.

Kurlansky achieved international acclaim with Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World, which demonstrated how the history of a single species could illuminate centuries of exploration, commerce, politics, and environmental change. He followed it with Salt: A World History, an international bestseller that cemented his reputation as a master of narrative nonfiction. Throughout his career, he has written acclaimed books on subjects as varied as oysters, paper, milk, the Basques, New York City, the year 1968, and the history of food, consistently revealing how overlooked topics have shaped civilizations and everyday life. His books have been translated into dozens of languages and have earned numerous literary and journalism awards.

Known for making complex historical subjects accessible to a wide audience, Kurlansky combines rigorous scholarship with lively storytelling and an eye for surprising connections. His work often bridges history, science, politics, and culture, demonstrating how individual objects, ingredients, or events can influence the course of world history. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost practitioners of narrative popular history and continues to write on history, food, and environmental issues.