Pure Adulteration
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading






Benjamin Jerry Cohen perceives himself as fortunate despite never having been labeled "Lucky Jerry" by others. His introspective journey reveals a unique perspective on luck and self-identity, challenging conventional notions of success and fortune. As he navigates his life, readers are invited to explore themes of perception, resilience, and the personal definitions of luck.
How modern food helped make modern society between 1870 and 1930: stories of power and food, from bananas and beer to bread and fake meat.The modern way of eating--our taste for food that is processed, packaged, and advertised--has its roots as far back as the 1870s. Many food writers trace our eating habits to World War II, but this book shows that our current food system began to coalesce much earlier. Modern food came from and helped to create a society based on racial hierarchies, colonization, and global integration. Acquired Tastes explores these themes through a series of moments in food history--stories of bread, beer, sugar, canned food, cereal, bananas, and more--that shaped how we think about food today. Contributors consider the displacement of native peoples for agricultural development; the invention of Pilsner, the first international beer style; the "long con" of gilded sugar and corn syrup; Josephine Baker's banana skirt and the rise of celebrity tastemakers; and faith in institutions and experts who produced, among other things, food rankings and fake meat.
Benjamin Cohen tells the dramatic story of Mehdi Hasan and Ellen Donnelly, whose marriage convulsed high society in nineteenth-century India and whose notorious trial reverberated throughout the British Empire, setting the benchmark for Victorian scandals. In the struggle of one couple, he exposes the fault lines that would soon tear a world apart.
Monetary rivalry is a fact of life in the world economy. Intense competition between international currencies like the US dollar, Europe's euro, and the Chinese yuan is profoundly political, going to the heart of the global balance of power. But what exactly is the relationship between currency and power, and what does it portend for the geopolitical standing of the United States, Europe, and China? Popular opinion holds that the days of the dollar, long the world's dominant currency, are numbered. By contrast, Currency Power argues that the current monetary rivalry still greatly favors America's greenback. Benjamin Cohen shows why neither the euro nor the yuan will supplant the dollar at the top of the global currency hierarchy.
Essential for those curious about the future of major currencies, this book delves into the dynamics of the contemporary international political economy. It explores the interplay between currency fluctuations, geopolitical events, and economic policies, providing insights into how these factors shape global financial stability and influence market trends.
Focusing on the evolution of international political economy since the 1970s, this book explores its rise in response to significant global crises, such as the Arab oil embargo. It provides a thorough analysis of the contrasting perspectives between American and British schools of thought, highlighting how scholars address the complexities of an interconnected world economy. This comprehensive examination sheds light on the field's significance within political science and economics, emphasizing its relevance in contemporary discussions.
Focusing on global monetary governance, this work highlights Benjamin J. Cohen's significant contributions to international political economy. It offers a comprehensive overview of his influential ideas and theories, showcasing his originality in addressing the complexities of monetary systems and their impact on global relations.
Exploring the dynamics of globalization, the book challenges the notion that fewer currencies will simplify monetary management. Benjamin Cohen presents a compelling argument against the "Contraction Contention," asserting that the number of currencies is likely to increase, complicating monetary governance instead. With clear and rigorous analysis, the text provides an up-to-date examination of the evolving landscape of global currencies and their implications for economic management.