Customer Reviews

SPAM: A Biography: The Amazing True Story of America's "Miracle Meat!"

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

 

 

In this marvelously apropos sequel to "I'm A Spam Fan"-- her wonderfully readable round-up of household brand names-- Carolyn Wyman cooks up a campy collation of fun facts and festive factoids that delightfully delineates the enduring mystique of America's favorite mystery meat. We Love It!

SPAM luncheon meat has been good "eats" for over 60 years and this book nicely reviews its place in our culinary history. For a book full of both old and new ways to fix SPAM, a fan will also need Linda Egger's SPAM, The Cookbook.

Hidden beneath the barrage of silly spamaphenelia lies a story about the development of one of the most well known brands in America, and the world. This book offers interesting insight into one of the longest continually sold products in America.

Spam is a luncheon loaf loved by millions and despised by just as many. It's also a food staple that is a verified piece of Americana. I've never been a huge fan of spam neither have I been one of its detractors. After visiting the Spam Museum in Austin, Minnesota I decided to learn a little more about this infamous concoction of pork and bought and read SPAM: A BIOGRAPHY Beginning with the origins of the Hormel food company and the eventual creation of Spam and continuing into the end of the twentieth century, SPAM: A BIOGRAPHY chronicles the life and times of America's "miracle meat". It's surprising how much history one famous product has. In addition to a chronology of Spam and its parent company, SPAM: A BIOGRAPHY also examines Spam's impact upon culture, both in America and abroad; from Monty Python to the Russian front in WWII to Hawaiian Spam huts, it's all examined here. Spread throughout the book are also a variety of recipes for creating Spam dishes, such as Spam cheesecake, Spam Spargot, and Spam bread.

After reading SPAM: A BIOGRAPHY I'm still not really a fan of Spam, but I do have a better appreciation for the luncheon loaf. I'm no longer ashamed to admit that I kind of like the taste of Spam, but I still wouldn't want to eat it everyday. In reading the book, I also learned a lot of quirky trivia such as the connection between Hormel's Spam, Monty Python, and the naming of email junk mail as spam. Recommended for people who both like to read and are Spam fans. Trivia buffs might also enjoy it.

I can only start with a book that ends up interviewing me for it's content has to be great! (Page 129-130)

Lack of modesty aside, I had delved into the famous pink pork product long before Carolyn contacted me for an interview and I found that I was amazed at the amount of information she acquired. From the very beginnings of the Hormel packing company, to the first experimentation with canning pork products, to the development and naming of the product and its love/hate relationship with the US military (The only pork product with a presidential pardon) it has been the bane of many, the joy to many, and a can of that insured a WWII GI in most countries more than just a good night kiss from a local lass.

I heartily endorse this book!