The History and Social Influence of the Potato - by Redcliffe N. Salaman

Salaman traces the potato's botanical origins in the Andes as Solanum tuberosum, its cultivation by pre-Columbian peoples, and global dissemination post-1492, profoundly shaping European diets, economies, and demographics—from averting famines to enabling Ireland's population boom and eventual crises. Salaman integrates archaeology, agriculture, and sociology to illuminate its transformative role in human history.