<DIV>When Julie Angus learns that her Syrian family has been making olive oil for centuries, she begins to wonder who ate the first olive and learned to make oil from it, why it became such an important commodity, and how it expanded from its earliest roots in the Middle East to the rest of the world. Her search for the answers to these and other questions takes her to the birthplace of the olive and along ancient trading routes in the Middle East and Europe.<BR><BR>The olive profoundly changed our world. Not only was the olive the first domesticated fruit, the tree now grows on more land than any other fruit tree. To many, it is a holy tree, a silent witness to some of the most significant religious events in history. It is enshrined in literature and has been protected by law since the Bronze Age. Olive oil is a fundamental and influential commodity for many of the greatest civilizations and has been for centuries. Used for much more than cooking, olive oil also anoints royalty, prevents cancer, and lubricates lustful couples, among other things. But the olive oil industry is plagued by economic hardships, fraudulent oils, and political hurdles.<BR><BR>As Angus unravels the secrets of the olive, she also demystifies the labyrinth of terminology facing the modern consumer. What's the difference between pure, virgin, and extra-virgin olive oil? How do we ensure that we are putting quality olive oil in our plates?<BR><BR>Through her exploration of these and other questions, Angus has produced a fascinating and important biography of the olive.<BR></DIV>