A New York Times Notable Book: A renowned scholar explores the way we eat across cultures and throughout history.

From the wild parties of ancient Greece to the strictures of an Upper East Side meal to the ritualistic feasts of cannibals, Margaret Visser takes us on a fascinating journey through the diverse practices, customs, and taboos that define how and why we prepare and consume food the way we do.

With keen insights into small details we take for granted, such as the origins of forks and chopsticks or why tablecloths exist, and examinations of broader issues like the economic implications of dining etiquette, Visser scrutinizes table manners across eras and oceans, offering an intimate new understanding of eating both as a biological necessity and a cultural phenomenon.

Witty and impeccably researched, The Rituals of Dinner is a captivating blend of folklore, sociology, history, and humor. In the words of the New York Times Book Review, “Read it, because you’ll never look at a table knife the same way again.”

Today’s Kindle Deal is sponsored by this week’s Kids’ eBook of The Week:

Looking for a hilarious children’s chapter book for your independent reader? How about a read aloud bedtime story with short chapters and a few illustrations for your young reader? What if you finally discovered a series that didn’t rely on fart jokes or poor language but still entertained? If you’re still reading, Max E. James was written for you.

Max E. James can hardly wait for a fun-filled day at the beach with his big brother Cody. The boys will build sand castles, trap crabs, and maybe even bodyboard. But wait—what about that time last summer when Max was bodyboarding, and got totally body-slammed?! Does he even want to chance another face-crushing, sand-in-his-teeth disaster, just for riding a wave?