When the wish is father to the thought

… Quid plura? | “How soft your fields so green can whisper tales of gore…” (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)

These 19th-century racial notions aren’t surprising, but they’re a good reminder to be wary when authoritative scholars in any age argue primarily from trendy thinking. Horsford isn’t content with his wealth, his impressive accomplishments in chemistry, or his legacy in the kitchens of the world. Driven in part by racial pride, he hopes to use his well-trained mind to disentangle the knotted mysteries of human civilization.

But before you dismiss him, just remember that "If you’ve baked anything this week, you can thank a Viking-obsessed Harvard chemist."