The best part about this book is the history; the worst part is the story. I loved learning about how sushi got its start, and I read most of it in various sushi bars so I was inspired to try new things, like toro, and experiment with tradition, like eating miso soup last. Where this book failed for me was in following the bratty and immature Kate as she attempts to be a sushi chef and succeeds only in getting on my nerves. The aggravating students dragged down the interesting educational parts of the book, and the constant harping on how "Americans won't eat this so you have to make it a stupid way" got old really fast. I wish Corson had written a straight story of sushi instead of trying to impress the reader with his tepid psychological insights and hipster disregard for American appetites.