Rating: 
Summary: Does this pass for wit in Minnesota?
Review: James Lileks is apparently one of those annoying "sophisticated and urbane," Elvis Costello-listening, self-anointed "hipster" newspaper columnists (every mid-level rag, usually the mediocre "alternative" weekly, has one) who cracks himself up by poking fun at things in the American past he doesn't understand. "Oh gosh, look at all the funny hairdos. Oh gee, look at those goofy fashions. Did they really laugh at Soupy Sales and Phyllis Diller? Did these 1950s monster movies really scare people? Oh what rubes! They probably voted for Nixon instead of Hubert Humphrey!" Here, the painfully unfunny Lileks excerpts the most unappetizing dishes from old cookbooks and holds them up to ridicule and scorn. He thinks this makes him a "humorist" or "penetrating social commentator." In fact, Lileks is waging war on creativity. Sure, some of these 50- and 40-year-old cookbooks had some stupid misfires and bad ideas. The creative process always produces a lot more bad ideas than good ones. Does anyone need Lileks to tell you this? I mean, what's the point? This book does have nice graphics and layouts (and the original cookbook pages are still interesting to look at). It probably wouldn't be so godawful if it were not for Lileks' smirky, self-satisfied margin notes. Hey, Lileks, have you ever created anything? (Your stream-of-consciousness Weblog is embarrassing and your Web site, like this book, is built upon the ideas of other people.) I'm not one of those people who say critics can't criticize "until they've tried to do it themselves." I happen to think social criticism is fine, except THIS BOOK AIN'T IT and Lileks doesn't cut the mustard as a critic of value. "Funnyman" Lileks adds nothing but his... "witty observations" and "bon mots." If you are interested in mid-20th Century American cooking or cuisine or kitchen culture, the only benefits you will get from this book are what you can glean on your own from the reprinted texts and illustrations. The author hates Middle America (he must hate being in Minneapolis) and -- this is the only funny thing associated with this sorry product -- he no doubt sniffs at the wives, sisters, mothers and aunts and uncles who are buying this book and giving it five-star reviews on this page. Buy this book used if you really want it; the secondhand shops soon will be filling up with gift copies that have only been skimmed through once.
Rating: 
Summary: Fish in a barrel!
Review: The food of the last generation was disgusting as hell, and Lileks hits this barn-sized target quite adequately. The photos are wonderful, and his commentary is quite funny. This book works better in small chunks, since the college-humor commentary does get a bit tired if you read too much of it at once, similar to reading an entire book of Dave Barry's pieces. This could be expected when the book is essentially a collection of snide web pages. But good golly they are some great snide web pages. Recommended for an afternoon's laugh-till-you-snort entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: A regrettable purchase
Review: Totally disappointing. While some of the pictures are wonderfully unappetizing, his "humorous" text is just annoying. It was like having a not-at-all clever person looking over my shoulder making stupid comments. I just wanted him to stop! Including the recipes would have been _much_ funnier. At least it inspired me to go out and buy vintage cookbooks. I don't need someone to tell me why it's funny.
Rating: 
Summary: Please tell me I never ate this...
Review: I cannot put this book down- while it is a walk down pop-culture memory lane, it is also a lesson in how our eating habits have changed (evolved) through the years. The ads and recipe book covers are a hoot, along with the great captions the author has added. I even brough it to work, at my library, to share with colleagues. I can't wait for his next book on interior decorating- (or did he call it "desecration?")! Buy this book!!!
Rating:
Summary: As funny as it gets
Review: Every time I pick up this book I am reduced to tears within 30 seconds. I have purchased several for my friends.
Rating: 
Summary: Perfect Mother's Day gift for your aging Matriarch
Review: My Mother's pushing 70 so she probably owned all the catalogs Lileks combed through to find these truly hideous and unexplainable dishes.If you don't know who James Lileks is, go to his website and see if his humor appeals to you. He's got a lot of horrible food on his site, but this book is the ultimate collection of 50s food anti-culture. It's vile, and you'll love it. Now eat your radish Jell-o.
Rating:
Summary: Laugh-out-loud Food Fun!
Review: I dare anyone--ANYONE--to try to sit down with a loved one and read this book out loud. It's impossible to do without bursting into insane guffaws--the kind that eventually reduce you to tears and make your ribs ache. Who knew cookbooks could be funnier than standup comedy? A must for fans of comedy AND food...check out the same author's web site for equally hysterical commentary and photos from vintage books on decorating!
Rating:
Summary: There aren't enough stars for this
Review: James Lileks is one of the best humor writers I have ever had the pleasure of reading. His dry, witty banter does well in poking fun at the ads and cookbooks of old, but it's also a humorous study in the psychology of America: what would a person think of our history if the sources for this book were all they had to go by? Read this book, and then go to James' website [...], explore the rest of the Institute of Official Cheer, and become a regular reader of the Daily Bleat. You'll be glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: First Class Humor
Review: Buckle yourself in for one hell of a ride! I have actually cried tears of laughter while reading this book (I should note that my pessimistic, cynical father did, also). I usually don't write reviews, but when I saw this book was only getting 4 stars, I knew I had to throw my vote into the hat.
Rating:
Summary: Remember Sky King?
Review: Remember the original action/adventure TV series, Sky King? Sky King, played by Kirby Grant, was a flying cowboy. The series, which ran, off and on, from 1951 to 1962 was sponsored by Peter Pan peanut butter. If you can remember that show then you'll probably recall seeing some of the bizarre creations, entertainingly explained, found in the Gallery of Regrettable Food. What's truly scary is, you might recognize one of the cookbooks and realize you may have actually consumed one of these preposterous, unappetizing creations. Even if you don't remember good old Sky and his daughter Penny, you'll be amazed that any of us ever survived the culinary delights of yesteryear, and you'll get a good laugh to boot.
|
