Customer Reviews

The Foodlover's Atlas of the World

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is very attractive and filled with lovely pictures of food, different countries, and often what's special in their culture. There is an excellent exploration of many different countries with 2 to 3 pages devoted for many of them. There is a brief recipe section in the back that has clear and concise recipes to follow. I really like this book because you can read it in small segments and you don't feel the need to sit down and read the whole book at once. The book is fasniating you will learn a great deal about different cultures and food that you may not be familiar with. This is a great book to thumb through for information and ideas.

From the different culinary styles and regions of France to the history of and cultural influences upon North African cuisines, the Food Lover's Atlas Of The World provides a wide-ranging discussion of various food trends, styles, and influences around the world. Color photos of fresh ingredients and regional marketplaces accompany histories which focus on regional signature dishes and their evolution. A bright, fascinating coverage which invites browsing.

The concept behind "The Foodlover's Atlas of the World" is imaginative, and author Martha Rose Shulman, a renowned, award-winning author with 17 cookbooks to her credit, carries it off exceptionally well. She divides the world into four major culinary regions--1) Europe, 2) Africa and the Middle East, 3) Asia and Australia, and 4) the Americas. Then, in glossy, exquisitely illustrated pages, she describes the cuisines of each country within the region. Each country gets on the order of a half-dozen or so pages--the depth of coverage is thus outstanding.

This is fascinating information. There are no recipes in the main text (although a few are included at the end of the book). Rather, each country section covers in detail the history and characteristics of the food of that land. Here, for example, are the topics from the section on Greece (each country is presented in a similar way): "Staple Foods" covers cheese, bread, wine, olives, honey and more. "Festive Food" describes festival fare such as traditional Easter bread and savory Christmas mezedes. "Signature Dishes" is a sidebar that defines tzatziki, htapothi xithato, dolmadakia and other dishes. "The Influence of Religion" describes the influence of the Greek Orthodox religion on the evolution of Greek food. "A Regional Flavor" compares foods among the various regions of the country, especially between the mainland and the islands. "Food Through the Day" describes what Greeks eat at meals throughout a typical day. Finally, "Reading the Menu" presents a menu of restaurant meals that one might find in Greece.

If you enjoy cooking, eating and learning about ethnic cuisines from around the world, "The Foodlover's Atlas of the World" is for you. I recommend it highly.

This book is excellent. It examines the culinary character of the many regions of the world. Many books do this, but they only provide recipes. This book is much different. It discusses the geography of each region, its flora and fauna, history, culinary traditions, and, in so doing, explains why the unique culinary character of each region developed as it did. The book gives example of dishes from each region, and is full of beautiful, and often mouth-watering photographs. A great book for food history, anthropology and pure sensual pleasure. For more in depth examination of the same issues, read The Ethnic Food Lover's Companion **ISBN: 9780897323727**

The Food Lover's Atlas of the World uses a universally memorable medium to educate readers about the diversity and beauty of world cultures. In very brief descriptions of foods eaten, why they are eaten, and the lifestyles of those that eat them, this book opens a window into worlds outside but connected to all those that read it. If I didn't have a deep love of great food and of humanity's necessary and wonderful variety before, I have no choice but to love those things now.

This book was in good condition, but was inscribed "To Mom" etc., on the inside cover page and therefore could not be used as a Xmas present, which was the reason I purchased it. This problem should have been noted in the description always given for used books. but the book is now a waste of my money.