The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America

By: andrew-f-smith

Book Overview

The history of food and drink in America is an exciting tale of unexpected twists and turns that are even more amusing than the oft-repeated myths. It is a story filled with hot-shot inventors,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195175522
• ISBN13: 9780195175523
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 2 Pages
• Weight: 5.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Great Value for $50

If you're interested in food, I highly recommend this set at this price. Open either volume to any page and you'll find something interesting, from articles on Beatrice and Beech-nut foods to the history of popcorn to twinkies. (Note - this is NOT a cookbook. It's truly an encyclopedia.) For the price of going out to dinner, you'll get a wealth of information that will provide lots of conversation for the next time you go out to dinner!

A true joy

As a child, I made a game of perusing the Encyclopedia Britannica by randomly flipping through its volumes until I found something of interest. I remember feeling as though the whole world was at my fingertips waiting to be discovered. Flipping through the Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America has reawakened that wonderful feeling. I thought I was fairly well informed on all things culinary, yet every page offers something new and fascinating. This is an essential addition to any food lover's library. It's a joy, and worth every penny.

An Outstanding Resource

I sit here with my two newly acquired volumes of the Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America in absolute awe! With almost 200 contributors, almost 800 entries and nearly 400 illustrations, editor Andy Smith and Oxford University Press have done a magnificent job of putting together what is clearly the most comprehensive work on this immensely broad subject ever undertaken. Whether you are a food professional or interested amateur, a historian, sociologist or anthropologist, a student or scholar, these volumes will no doubt become your most important resource for information related in any way to the history of food and drink in America. The scope is astounding, spanning some five centuries and ranging from events and trends to products, from ethnic, religions and cultural influences to political and social movements in American history, and also includes dozens of biographical entries of important contributors and influences on the development of culinary life and gastronomy in America. Despite the enormity of this work, it is refreshingly approachable, set forth alphabetically, written in clear language, translated when needed, and annotated and supplemented with bibliographical information for those wishing to explore further. As a food professional-recipe developer, food writer and culinary educator-there is no doubt in my mind that these pages will soon be worn and this seminal work will remain among my most valued and cherished resources for as long as my interest in food and gastronomy is alive.

Excellent Reference Tool

This is an indispensible reference tool whether you are just fascinated by food and drink and all things related or need information for backgrounding purposes. I have found it very useful. (Did you know that Dr. Pepper was created by a pharmacist from Waco, Texas in 1885?) The appendixes listing food websites, food museums, festivals etc. are quite helpful also. It's well worth the cost and a "must have" for your libary, especially if you work in or deal with the food and beverage world . . . and if you just love knowing random trivia you'll love having these volumes to thumb through!

A must-have for history buffs and food lovers alike!

As a weekend gourmand, I found the entries in Food and Drink in America to be fascinating! From the origins of apple pie and baking soda to the lore of tomatoes, this is an amazing collection of historically-grounded, little-known stories about the food we eat. It is an indispensable reference book for anyone interested in food, cooking and American history - not to mention a comprehensive source for culinary trivia -- a great conversation piece!