Candy: The Sweet History [Hardcover]

Beth Kimmerle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2003

Remember stopping by the five-and-dime on your way home from school to get a handful of your favorite sweet treat? CANDY: THE SWEET HISTORY covers the goodies of yesteryear: Pay Day, Candy necklaces, Lemonheads, Necco Wafers, Chic-O-Sticks, Abba-Zaba, and many more selected for their nostalgic packaging, yummy tastes, and wonderful stories. Inside this tasty tome are more than 85 sensational candies, including those hard-to-find local favorites made by small, family-owned factories relying on handed-down recipes and old-fashioned techniques. Colorful and tempting photos show standout nostalgic candies- some in production for more than 100 years- and the text describes the fascinating stories behind key candy makers and pays homage to our favorites that are no longer available.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A candy saleswoman, developer and consultant, Kimmerle pays homage to the sweets industry in this colorfully designed history. More coffee-table display than serious study, the book emphasizes the artistry of candy packaging and advertisements while providing an overview of all the many confections of "sugar that has been cooked." Candy, Kimmerle reveals, was once a luxury enjoyed mostly by the rich and the royal, an expensive treat that relied upon then-exotic ingredients like cane sugar and cocoa. The modern candy industry took form in the early 19th century, and many favorite American candies have been around for nearly a century. LifeSavers were invented in 1912; Tootsie Rolls date back to 1896. Licorice, taffy, nougat, jelly beans, caramels and marshmallows all make appearances in Kimmerle's book, which is illustrated with images of retro candy ads and novelty packages. But the heart of the book is "Piece By Piece," a long chapter offering brief histories of candy businesses like M&M Mars, Frank Fleet Gum Company and the Ferrara Pan Company (makers of Lemonheads). A dozen recipes for treats like Candied Grapefruit Peel, Thirty-Minute Caramels and Non Pariels is also provided, but this book will please mostly readers interested in candy design and industry.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Candy is with us at very special moments, we have candy at movies, and significant holidays," Kimmerle says. -- NPR All Things Considered w/ Michele Norris, October 31, 2003

For those craving an encyclopedic knowledge of all things sugary. -- InStyle Magazine, October 2003

Katie Couric and the Today Show gang reminisce about nostalgic candy with author Beth Kimmerle. -- Today Show (NBC) October 30, 2003

The book recounts in loving detail the evolution of American candy, including lush four-color reproductions of classic advertisements and packaging. -- The New York Sun, October 22, 203

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Collectors Press; 1st American Edition edition (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888054832
• ISBN-13: 978-1888054835
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,465,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Beth Kimmerle, chocolate and candy expert and historian, has served the confectionery industry as a writer and consultant. Beth worked for Fannie May Candies before advancing her talents to Starbucks Coffee Company. She has worked on candy museums and exhibits in Sapporo, Japan, Canada and currently, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

She is the author of four books documenting the history of America's confectionery industry. Her latest is titled, Blommer: An American Chocolate Legacy. Beth has made appearances on the Food Network, History Channel, National Public Radio, NBC's The Today Show and Martha Stewart Living.

Beth has been a featured candy-making instructor and lecturer at The Chicago History Museum, Princeton University, University of Chicago, and the New York Chocolate Show.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How did she get such a job?, March 10, 2005

By 

George West (LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Candy: The Sweet History (Hardcover)

I saw Beth Kimmerle on a Food TV special about candy and thought she had an amazing job. A candy expert? How did she get such a job? Is there an opening for me? I bought her book and found it fascinating. She covers all the old school favs from Wacky wafers and Lick M Aid. The pictures are great. If you dig candy like me and wish you had her job, you'll love this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift for the holidays!, December 8, 2003

By 

"kittyb181" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Candy: The Sweet History (Hardcover)

This book was listed by John Mariani as one of the BEST FOOD and DRINK books of 2003 and his words inspired me to buy several. What a treat it really is!

I have never seen another book about the history of American candy, and here, with "enormous affection and dogged scholarship", Beth Kimmerle provides an informative and graphically rich nostalgic food book.

The pictures are great--a real trip down memory lane. The book, along with a few handmade treats from the recipe section, will make a wonderful and unique holiday gift.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Candy:The Sweet History, October 31, 2003

By 

Lisa Ashcraft (Kansas City, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Candy: The Sweet History (Hardcover)

Any candy lover, any nostalgia buff, anyone who sneaks a snickers or hides Hershey Bars in secret spots in the kitchen (or bedroom) will love this book. It's not only inforamative, but a trip down the sweet, sweet memory lane of childhood! It's a great gift, but like your favorite candy, don't share it unless you've got one for yourself!