Liquorice
Condition: SECONDHAND
This is a secondhand book. The jacket image is a photograph of the exact copy we have in stock. This image shows the condition of this book. Further condition remarks are below.
Condition remarks:
Book: Good
Jacket: No dust jacket
Pages: Good
Condition remarks: Condition as shown in image
Few sweets carry the weight of history, folklore, and industry that liquorice does — a plant-derived confection whose roots stretch back thousands of years across ancient civilisations, medieval apothecaries, and the smoky factory floors of industrial England. Liquorice by Briony Hudson and Richard Van Riel chronicles the remarkable journey of this singular ingredient, tracing its origins as a medicinal herb through to its transformation into one of Britain's most beloved and iconic sweets. Drawing on rich archival imagery, trade ephemera, and cultural artefacts, the authors present a vivid portrait of the industries, communities, and traditions that grew up around liquorice cultivation and production, with particular attention to the famous growing regions of Pontefract in Yorkshire. Beyond its role as a confection, Liquorice argues that this humble root is a lens through which we can understand broader currents of social history — commerce, labour, advertising, and the enduring British love affair with sugar and sweets. Hudson and Van Riel bring a meticulous and affectionate eye to their subject, weaving together visual history with cultural narrative in a style that is both scholarly and warmly accessible. The result is a richly illustrated volume that will captivate collectors, food historians, and anyone who has ever unwrapped a Pontefract cake and wondered how it came to be — leaving the reader with a far deeper appreciation for what lies beneath that distinctive, dark exterior.
Author: Briony Hudson & Richard Van Riel
Format: Paperback
Genre: Antiques & collectibles
Condition remarks:
Book: Good
Jacket: No dust jacket
Pages: Good
Condition remarks: Condition as shown in image
Few sweets carry the weight of history, folklore, and industry that liquorice does — a plant-derived confection whose roots stretch back thousands of years across ancient civilisations, medieval apothecaries, and the smoky factory floors of industrial England. Liquorice by Briony Hudson and Richard Van Riel chronicles the remarkable journey of this singular ingredient, tracing its origins as a medicinal herb through to its transformation into one of Britain's most beloved and iconic sweets. Drawing on rich archival imagery, trade ephemera, and cultural artefacts, the authors present a vivid portrait of the industries, communities, and traditions that grew up around liquorice cultivation and production, with particular attention to the famous growing regions of Pontefract in Yorkshire. Beyond its role as a confection, Liquorice argues that this humble root is a lens through which we can understand broader currents of social history — commerce, labour, advertising, and the enduring British love affair with sugar and sweets. Hudson and Van Riel bring a meticulous and affectionate eye to their subject, weaving together visual history with cultural narrative in a style that is both scholarly and warmly accessible. The result is a richly illustrated volume that will captivate collectors, food historians, and anyone who has ever unwrapped a Pontefract cake and wondered how it came to be — leaving the reader with a far deeper appreciation for what lies beneath that distinctive, dark exterior.