Title
Maize and Grace: Africas Encounter with a New World Crop, 15002000,Used
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Sometime around 1500 AD, an African farmer planted a maize seed imported from the New World. That act set in motion the remarkable saga of one of the worlds most influential cropsone that would transform the future of Africa and of the Atlantic world. Africas experience with maize is distinctive but also instructive from a global perspective: experts predict that by 2020 maize will become the worlds most cultivated crop.James C. McCann moves easily from the village level to the continental scale, from the medieval to the modern, as he explains the science of maize production and explores how the crop has imprinted itself on Africas agrarian and urban landscapes. Today, maize accounts for more than half the calories people consume in many African countries. During the twentieth century, a tidal wave of maize engulfed the continent, and supplanted Africas own historical grain cropssorghum, millet, and rice. In the metamorphosis of maize from an exotic visitor into a quintessentially African crop, in its transformation from vegetable to grain, and from curiosity to staple, lies a revealing story of cultural adaptation. As it unfolds, we see how this sixteenthcentury stranger has become indispensable to Africas fields, storehouses, and diets, and has embedded itself in Africas political, economic, and social relations.The recent spread of maize has been alarmingly fast, with implications largely overlooked by the media and policymakers. McCanns compelling history offers insight into the profound influence of a single crop on African culture, health, technological innovation, and the future of the worlds food supply.
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- Q: What is the main topic of 'Maize and Grace'? A: 'Maize and Grace' explores the historical and cultural significance of maize in Africa, detailing its introduction from the New World around 1500 AD and its transformation into a staple crop.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Maize and Grace'? A: The book is authored by James C. McCann, who provides insights into the impact of maize on African agriculture and society.
- Q: When was 'Maize and Grace' published? A: 'Maize and Grace' was published on September 15, 2007.
- Q: How many pages does 'Maize and Grace' have? A: 'Maize and Grace' contains 304 pages, offering an in-depth look at the history and implications of maize in Africa.
- Q: What condition is the book in? A: 'Maize and Grace' is available as a used book in good condition.
- Q: What binding type does 'Maize and Grace' have? A: 'Maize and Grace' is available in paperback binding.
- Q: What are the key themes discussed in 'Maize and Grace'? A: The book discusses themes such as cultural adaptation, agricultural transformation, and the socio-economic impacts of maize in Africa.
- Q: Is there any information on maize cultivation techniques in the book? A: Yes, the book explains the science of maize production and its implications for African agriculture.
- Q: What significance does maize hold in contemporary Africa according to the book? A: According to the book, maize accounts for more than half the calories consumed in many African countries, highlighting its crucial role in food security.
- Q: Does 'Maize and Grace' provide historical context about other crops? A: Yes, the book compares maize with other historical grain crops in Africa, such as sorghum, millet, and rice, illustrating its unique journey and significance.