Synopses & Reviews
From the
New York Times bestselling author who "powerfully demonstrates the defining role food plays in history and culture" (
Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
In the throes of the Great Depression, a make-work initiative for authors — called "America Eats" — was created by the WPA to chronicle the eating habits, traditions, and struggles of local Americans. Mark Kurlansky, author of Salt and Cod, unearths this forgotten literary treasure, chronicling a bygone era when Americans had never heard of fast food or grocery superstores. Kurlansky brings together the WPA contributions — featuring New York automats and Georgia Coca-Cola parties, Maine lobsters and Montana beaver tails — and brilliantly showcases them with authentic recipes, anecdotes, and photographs.
Review
"[V]ivid and playful dispatches from pre-interstate, pre-fast-food America, when food was local and cuisine regional. Kurlansky selected zesty writings, factual and imaginative, describing barbecues, fries, and feasts....Fun, illuminating, and provocative." Booklist
Synopsis
A portrait of American food--before the national highway system, before chain restaurants, and before frozen food, when the nation's food was seasonal, regional, and traditional--from the lost WPA files.
From the
New York Times bestselling author who "powerfully demonstrates the defining role food plays in history and culture" (
Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
In the throes of the Great Depression, a make-work initiative for authors-called "America Eats"-was created by the WPA to chronicle the eating habits, traditions, and struggles of local Americans. Mark Kurlansky, author of
Salt and
Cod, unearths this forgotten literary treasure, chronicling a bygone era when Americans had never heard of fast food or grocery superstores. Kurlansky brings together the WPA contributions-featuring New York automats and Georgia Coca-Cola parties, Maine lobsters and Montana beaver tails-and brilliantly showcases them with authentic recipes, anecdotes, and photographs.
Synopsis
Recommended by Chef Jos Andr s on The Drew Barrymore Show
A portrait of American food--before the national highway system, before chain restaurants, and before frozen food, when the nation's food was seasonal, regional, and traditional--from the lost WPA files.
From the
New York Times bestselling author who "powerfully demonstrates the defining role food plays in history and culture" (
Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
In the throes of the Great Depression, a make-work initiative for authors-called "America Eats"-was created by the WPA to chronicle the eating habits, traditions, and struggles of local Americans. Mark Kurlansky, author of Salt and Cod, unearths this forgotten literary treasure, chronicling a bygone era when Americans had never heard of fast food or grocery superstores. Kurlansky brings together the WPA contributions-featuring New York automats and Georgia Coca-Cola parties, Maine lobsters and Montana beaver tails-and brilliantly showcases them with authentic recipes, anecdotes, and photographs.
Synopsis
From the New York Times-bestselling author of Salt and Cod comes a remarkable portrait of American food before World War II.
Synopsis
Bestselling author Mark Kurlansky paints a detailed picture of Depression-era Americans through the food that they ate and the local traditions and customs they observed when planning and preparing meals.
Synopsis
Eat your way around the world without leaving your home in this mouthwatering cultural history of 100 classic dishes When we eat, we travel.” Thus begins this irresistible tour of the cuisines of the world, revealing what people eat and why in forty cultures. Whats the origin of kimchi in Korea? Why do we associate Argentina with steak? Why do people in Marseille eat bouillabaisse? Whats the story behind the curries of India? Bubbling over with anecdotes, trivia, and lorefrom the role of a priest in the genesis of camembert to the Mayan origins of the word chocolate”The World on a Plate serves up a delicious mélange of recipes, history, and culinary wisdom to be devoured by food lovers and armchair travelers alike.
About the Author
Mark Kurlansky is the New York Times bestselling author of many books, including The Food of a Younger Land, Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World; Salt: A World History; 1968: The Year That Rocked the World; and The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell. He lives in New York City.