See's Famous Old Time Candies: A Sweet Story [Hardcover]

Margaret Moos Pick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 29, 2005

More fun than the episode of I Love Lucy set on the candy line and with stories richer than a Dark Chocolate Truffle, See's Famous Old Time Candies is a golden ticket to the candy factory (and, yes, See's did inspire that Lucy episode). Author Margaret Moos Pick chronicles See's history, from its humble beginning in Mary See's kitchen back in the 1890s to its place of reverence in the hearts of the sweet-toothed everywhere. Learn how See's candy experts hold chocolate tastings, treating batches like fine wines, to choose the very best; how bonbons are still meticulously hand-dipped to perfection; and how those at See's simmered, stirred, cooked, and tasted 250 recipesall to create the perfect truffle. For See's fans and proud candy lovers, here's a story with a very sweet center.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Margaret Moos Pick is the executive producer and head writer for the Riverwalk Jazz radio series on Public Radio International, and was a founding producer of A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. She has previously collaborated with National Pu

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; First Edition edition (December 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811848671
• ISBN-13: 978-0811848671
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #469,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute book, but no recipes!, January 12, 2006

By 

S. Davies "gotpinkspots" (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: See's Famous Old Time Candies: A Sweet Story (Hardcover)

This is a charming little tome for those who know, love, and consume See's Candy. Growing up in 50s L.A., this book brings back many memories.

Alas, I was hoping for recipes,too! For those, do a Google. I found their fudge (basis for those famous Easter Eggs, I'm thinking) and lollipops, so far.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, September 6, 2006

By 

Kevin Killian (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: See's Famous Old Time Candies: A Sweet Story (Hardcover)

Roald Dahl called his famous story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory after having encountered the legend of of Charles A. See, and now veteran penswoman Margaret Moos Pick tells the whole incredible story from a woman's point of view, in a book lavishly illustrated with sepia (and cocoa) colored photographs from the company archives. No Oompa Loompas here, but you will find many unusual tidbits that will amuse you and titillate your senses.

Let Moos Pick take you into the secret factory itself, into the so-called "enrobing room" and right through the brain tank where Sees officials and chefs determine what the next flavor of candy shall be.

We've seen it all in WILLY WONKA, and to a lesser degree, remember when Dick Van Dyke drove up to the Scrumptious Candy Factory in CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG? Well, finally the inside guide to how you make candy and how you sell it, from a one room roadside stand in a lousy, Depression California, to a revolution in fine chocolate, offering everything from marzipan, mocha milk, creme de coconut, and champagne infusions that would have been illegal under Prohibition. Lucy and Ethel worked the assembly line in a Sees store, in one of the famous I LOVE LUCY episodes, find out more about it here.

Remember, reading uses up calories! But don't spoil your weight loss program by absently stuffing handfuls of Sees candy into your mouth as you flip the pages of this diverting little truffle of a story. Add a star if you're into candy or California labor history.

5.0 out of 5 stars See's Famous Old Time Candies, September 29, 2009

By 

Cynthia L. Roberts "Cindyshops" (Concord, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: See's Famous Old Time Candies: A Sweet Story (Hardcover)

This book is very interesting and I enjoyed purchasing it. I found it first on a book stand at the airport where I work but they weren't selling it. Amazon had the book for sale by someone.

The seller was truthful and wonderful. She shipped it out and I got it within just a few days from California.