A Brief History of Pasta

Cesari chases the origins of pasta dishes back in time like a spaghetti detective ... If you're really interested in pasta, you should buy this book. * Daily Telegraph *
In this exuberant book, studded with tempting recipes, Italian food historian Luca Cesari tells the story of pasta and how it has conquered the world. * Daily Mail *
Engagingly written and contains plenty of recipes and entertaining anecdotes along the way -- 'Best Food and Drink Books of 2022' * The Times *
Rewarding ... you discover a lot about Italy here ... huge fun * Sunday Times *
Who knew that the history of pasta is as twisty as fusilli and as tangled as tagliatelle? Cesari tells an engaging story with his chatty and informative prose, whetting your appetite for a big bowl of Italy's favourite dish -- Ned Palmer, author * A Cheesemonger's History of the British Isles *
The journey towards our concept of spaghetti Bolognese or lasagna, for instance, is told as a slowly evolving chronicle, backed up by documents and great research. -- Rose Prince * Cookbooks of the Year, Spectator *
Elegant, witty and scholarly ... the nub of this deliciously subversive history is what it means to be Italian. -- Elisabeth Luard * The Oldie *
Luca Cesari delivers a fine potted history of the Italian food that shaped the world * Independent *
Lovingly curated * Ross-shire Journal *
If pasta is a religion, this book is its sermon -- Russell Norman, founder of Polpo and Brutto
Pasta was not always served al dente ... I discovered this fact, and about a thousand others, in Cesari's new book, A Brief History of Pasta, which, attentive as it is to origin stories, and thus to basics, could not make for more suitable reading right now if it tried. -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *
A glorious book, carefully and precisely skewering all of the received ideas about 'authenticity' ... It made me giggle fiendishly and occasionally punch the air -- Annie Gray, author * At Christmas We Feast *
Luca Cesari serves up a delicious combination of recipes, both ancient and modern, entertaining anecdotes, and rare insights into the diverse histories and characters of Italy's different regions. A delicious treat for anyone who wants a deeper relationship with Italy and its food -- Helena Attlee, author * The Land Where Lemons Grow: The Story of Italy and Its Citrus Fruit *
A fascinating history of one of the world's best loved foods, peppered with interesting facts like a well seasoned cacio e pepe. Through in-depth research, Cesari proves that contrary to what many purists will claim, there are no hard and fast rules when making even the best loved pasta dishes. A compelling read giving a long overdue green light to putting garlic in your Amatriciana should you so wish! -- Amber Guinness