Sasha Issenberg writes in The Sushi Economy: Globalization and the Making of a Modern Delicacy that "a book about what goes into the making of sushi has to really be a narrative about the development of twentieth-century global capitalism," arguing that prerequisites for the production of good sushi include "historical exposure to business travelers, tourists, and skilled migrants; integration into international labor markets; intercontinental cargo connections; supply-chain expertise; and exposure to the worldly flavor currents of both haute cuisine and fast food" (p. xxiv). In his attempt to trace that narrative, Issenberg, a print journalist whose body of work has focused on political reporting, escorts the reader around the world and back again to introduce a myriad cast of characters and issues that have contributed to and sprung from the rise of sushi's popularity in Japan and abroad. As the crown jewel of sushi sh, tuna more often than not is the star of this story.