This book investigates five menus, from England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. These dishes may seem truly national, or even regional, but the reality is very different. Few of the ingredients used originated in Europe, and many have travelled half way around the world. Tracing the history of the dishes opens up the whole of human history. We can see the importance of food in the ancient migrations and struggles to survive of our earliest ancestors, in the development of farming, trade and technology, and in the European exploration and colonisation of the world. This is truly delicious history, where the food we love takes centre stage and kings and politicians become supporting actors.