From Hardtack to Home Fries: An Uncommon History of American Cooks and Meals

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Summary: The best of these insights from the 1840s to modern times
Review: Barbara Haber has spent years investigating stories of changing ways of cooking meals in America: this gathers the best of these insights from the 1840s to modern times, using cookbooks and menus from all classes, regions, and eras to explore the changing world of food. From the role of food in luring adventurers to the undiscovered American west to how cooking kept POWS alive during World War II, From Hardtack To Home Fries is packed with intriguing history.

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Summary: A Study of America's Diverse Culinary History
Review: Barbara Haber, Curator of Books at the Schlesinger Library, has compiled a basic history of America's food. The topics covered include the Irish famine, the Civil War, food reformers such as Graham and Kellogg, the abominable food served in FDR's White House, how food has maintained familial, cultural, and racial bonds, and even cookbook collecting (and I thought I was the only one!). Each topic is a basic history, and for more in-depth study and knowledge, one will likely need to dig through some of the resources provided in the bibliography. But for someone who wants just a basic overview, this book is perfect.

Rating:
Summary: A Study of America's Diverse Culinary History
Review: Barbara Haber, Curator of Books at the Schlesinger Library, has compiled a basic history of America's food. The topics covered include the Irish famine, the Civil War, food reformers such as Graham and Kellogg, the abominable food served in FDR's White House, how food has maintained familial, cultural, and racial bonds, and even cookbook collecting (and I thought I was the only one!). Each topic is a basic history, and for more in-depth study and knowledge, one will likely need to dig through some of the resources provided in the bibliography. But for someone who wants just a basic overview, this book is perfect.

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Summary: From Home Fries to History
Review: Read this "delicious" book slowly and savor it. What a task the author has undertaken; I am dazzled by the amount of research Barbara Haber evidenced. What a wealth of detail. I found the material fascinating -- especially as it is a book that would not ordinarily cross my path.
Although I have never actually sat down and read a cookbook, I was familiar enough with the diet books to enjoy Haber's exploration of them. I, too, enjoy "fat narratives," but had never before considered diet books as "barometers of culture" It was also interesting to learn more about familiar names: Kellogg, and Graham, for example. And I, too, shared the hope that the magic idea of merely reading diet books would solve weight problems.
It was neat to learn more about the Harvey Girls, whom I only knew through the 1946 Judy Garland movie. The FDR story -- completely unfamiliar to me (and I would guess, most readers) -- was hilarious, and interesting throughout. What a glimpse behind the scenes with Mrs. Nesbitt, the inept White House cook.
My favorite moments in the book, however, are when the author steps out and speak personally about her own life and work, and I wish the book had more of this personal voice.
Laced with recipes culled from cookbooks, memoirs and diaries, this book a unique contribution to women's history

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Summary: A literary "buffet" of food history essays
Review: This book consists of essays concerning different aspects of the history of food and cooking in the United States, and, much like a buffet, some "dishes" are more appetizing than others. Make no mistake, this is well-written from beginning to end, but the subject matter of some chapters held little interest for me personally, while I found others quite fascinating. As a rule (with exceptions), the better the food, the more interesting the essay, so I found the first two chapters rather tedious. Finally, when I got to the chapter about the health food fads that originated from Battle Creek did I find the writing riveting and quite interesting. Other favorites include the chapter about the FDR White House food, which had a notoriously bad reputation, the essay on the Harvey girls, and the chapter about African-American cooks. In summary, this book is a mixed bag where the good outweighs the bland. What more could you ask for in a buffet?

Rating:
Summary: A literary "buffet" of food history essays
Review: This book consists of essays concerning different aspects of the history of food and cooking in the United States, and, much like a buffet, some "dishes" are more appetizing than others. Make no mistake, this is well-written from beginning to end, but the subject matter of some chapters held little interest for me personally, while I found others quite fascinating. As a rule (with exceptions), the better the food, the more interesting the essay, so I found the first two chapters rather tedious. Finally, when I got to the chapter about the health food fads that originated from Battle Creek did I find the writing riveting and quite interesting. Other favorites include the chapter about the FDR White House food, which had a notoriously bad reputation, the essay on the Harvey girls, and the chapter about African-American cooks. In summary, this book is a mixed bag where the good outweighs the bland. What more could you ask for in a buffet?