Bull Cook and Authentic Historical Recipes and Practices [Paperback]

George Leonard Herter (Author), Berthe Herter (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Ecco Pr; 1st Ecco ed edition (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880013907
• ISBN-13: 978-0880013901
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,177,477 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite cookbook, September 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bull Cook and Authentic Historical Recipes and Practices (Paperback)

In addition to being a useful cookbook, this is a facinating history book. This is my favorite cookbook, and has taught me how to cook more than any other. It is also very entertaining, and funny to read. Some of the recipes that I've used which are excellent are Shoshone meat patties, saurbraten, Stonewall Jackson barbecue ribs, Seminole Corn Relish, sour dough pancakes La Salle, and beans escoffier. And if you've ever wondered how to make Worstecshire sauce, beer, or about 50 different kinds of wine after reading this book you will wonder no more.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cooking in the twilight zone, July 26, 2001

By 

Judith Bradley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bull Cook and Authentic Historical Recipes and Practices (Paperback)

All of the previous reviewers are absolutely correct. This is the strangest and zaniest collection of recipes, remedies, survival tips, philosophical musings, diatribes, out-and-out historical flights of fancy --well, I can't describe it. You have to read it to believe it. I first came upon it many years ago, and knew nothing about it (I collect cookbooks and food lore) To put it mildly,I was astonished. Who was this guy? Since then, as some of the other reviewers have done, I have bought several copies for near and dear friends (coincidentally, Minnesotians all) "Sauerbraten was invented by Charlemagne...Henry the VIII actually never amounted to anything and would not have made a good ditchdigger...In 1212 St. Francis went to the Holy Land. When he came back he taught his followers a simple way to poach eggs...Pate De Foie Gras was first made for Joan of Arc by one of her army cooks ..." You get the idea. I have noticed that the various editions have different topics, but I am pleased to note that my 1969 edition still gives us explicit directions as to what to do in case of a hydrogen attack. Mr. Herter is certainly sure of himself, and his book offers hours of good, solid (hilarious) advice and recipes.If you should chance upon a copy at a used book store or garage sale, snap it up.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ECCENTRIC "COOKING" "PHILOSOPHY" AND "HISTORY" BOOK IN ONE!, December 12, 2000

By 

MARY E. RILEY (Columbia, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bull Cook and Authentic Historical Recipes and Practices (Paperback)

When I was growing up in the 60"s, my father (bless his crazy heart) bought ALL of the George Hearter masterworks (I think there are five). These bizzare creations were my family's font of knowledge for quotations, recipes, and distorted history. George Herter's opinions on everything from women's breasts to Ernest Hemmingway are discussed in these masterworks. If you have a sense of humor and know actual historical fact, you'll love these books! Don't hestitate to buy! A typical "recipe" runs something like this: "Cardinal Richaleau's Mayonaise" for which George gives you the background of France in the the days of Louis XIV, all Louis' mistresses, their breasts, the Cardinal's mistresses, their breasts, some pictures of their breasts, and, finally, a recipe that could very well include something strange such as Hellman's salad dressing or deer testicles. I'm looking to replace our family's tattered heirloom set (gold and silver lame covers on the originals!), with a new edition (hopefully), typeset, rather than typed (as was the original).