Hamburgers & Fries: An American Story [Large Print] [Hardcover]

John T. Edge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2005

Includes fifteen mouthwatering recipes

With Fried Chicken and Apple Pie, John T. Edge launched a series that celebrates American culture through the lore of our favorite foods. Now, Edge continues his quest to discover the very essence of America through the dishes we love and cherish. Across the nation, from backyard barbecues to Big Macs, Edge follows the evolution of the burger from frugal repast to deluxe treat, but always with a celebration of American brawn and freedom.

Available only in Nonfiction 4.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Despite the recent upwelling of carb-consciousness and fast-food condemnation, seasoned food writer Edge proclaims that America is on the verge of "a burger renaissance." In his latest tribute to American food favorites, Edge (Fried Chicken; Apple Pie) traces the history of the burger from its Mongolian origins to its current status as a symbol of American culture. Edge's book takes him across the nation, from Connecticut to Hawaii, visiting famous burger joints and diners in search of testaments to the dish's iconic status. Along the way, he discovers numerous variations, including the "Jucy Lucy," a Minneapolis burger stuffed with cheese and topped with grilled onions, and the Cuban "fritas" from Miami, which features a paprika-spiced patty topped with crispy potato slivers. Edge's savory descriptions of these "three-napkin juicy" burgers make even strange creations like the San Antonio bean burger-which is layered with refried beans, corn chips and Cheez Whiz-sound tasty. For readers eager to try some of these concoctions, Edge has included recipes as well as his "Black Book of Burgers," a directory of the burger joints he visited. An entertaining account of America's best burgers and of the people who serve them, Edge's book reveals the many tantalizing facets of this comfort food.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"It's history you can eat."
-- The New York Times (New York Times )

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 247 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; 1 edition (October 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078627929X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786279296
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,714,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hold the fries!, September 8, 2005

By 

Jon Hunt "musician, teacher" (Old Greenwich, Ct. USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Hamburgers and Fries: An American Story (Hardcover)

John T. Edge's new book, "Hamburgers and Fries" is an earnest and breezy look at America's signature food. Who would know how diverse a nation we are when it comes to the concoction of the simple burger. Edge tells us all about it.

After a brief history of the hamburger, the author sets off in search of some of the tastiest and unusual burgers that can be found. From places as diverse as Mississippi and Connecticut, Edge discovers the local fare and is good enough to include the recipes in his book. (I'm from Connecticut and have never heard of a steamed cheeseburger.....I'll have to try one!)

Edge describes areas of the United States as having burger "microclimates". In San Antonio, for instance, it is not unheard of to have a burger that melds refried beans, Cheez Wiz and Fritos corn chips...the chips being found just under the bun. I suppose one hasn't lived until he or she has tried the Hawaiian "loco moco", though when in Hilo I think I might opt for the "local burger". But peanut butter on a hamburger?? In Cleveland and Missouri it happens. Taste is more individual than I thought.

I was disappointed that, despite its title, "Hamburgers and Fries" leaves the fries part mostly untouched. A scant fifteen pages is given over to the usual hamburger accompaniment. The book's lack of direction leaves a little to be desired as well. Still, Edge is one happy camper when it comes to burgers and I could see him hosting one of those half-hour food shows on tv someday.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Glitches in Kindle edition!, February 9, 2010

By 

James H. Felder (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hamburgers and Fries (Kindle Edition)

Enjoyable, quick read.
There are glitches in the Kindle edition! The first letters in the first sentences of most sections are missing!

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable, but overpriced, March 26, 2006

By 

R. Gale (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hamburgers and Fries: An American Story (Hardcover)

Edge is a fine writer, and what he's written is entertaining, enjoyable and informative. If you're interested at all in hamburgers (and if you're reading this, you obviously are), then you'll definitely want to read it. But this is a small, short book, easily read in one sitting, and in my opinion overpriced. There aren't even any photographs to add to the fun. So I'd suggest you wait for a price reduction, or find a used copy, because there's not enough content here to justify its $13 Amazon price, much less its $20 list price. At $8 or less, you'll be happy to have it in your library...and if that were the price, I'd give it 4 stars. (Photos would have given it 5.)