Stories and Recipes of the Great Depression of the 1930's and More From Your Kitchen Today, Vol. 1 (Stories & Recipes of the Great Depression) [Spiral-bound]

Janet Van Amber Paske (Author), Rita Van Amber (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1986

A collection of nostalgic, heartwarming stories contributed by survivors of the Great Depression, along with the comforting recipes that kept body and soul of their families together. Includes a bonus section of updated quick, easy, economical, nutritious recipes and tips for today.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rita Van Amber, a child of the Great Depression, is passionate about preserving the authentic personal history of that era as it happened in homes across the country. Her project was born from a desire to commemorate the women who so valiantly struggled to feed their families and make do in the midst of barren cupboards and discouraged husbands, as she saw her mother do firsthand. Her daughter and co-author, Home Economist Janet Van Amber Paske, learned economical and nutritious cooking at her mother's knee and shares her recipes and techniques in the bonus section.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 306 pages
• Publisher: Van Amber Pr; Revised edition (May 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0961966319
• ISBN-13: 978-0961966317
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #433,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In their own words, May 6, 2004

By 

"chefmomof2" (Western PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stories and Recipes of the Great Depression of the 1930's and More From Your Kitchen Today, Vol. 1 (Stories & Recipes of the Great Depression) (Spiral-bound)

What a lovely read. This book has many stories of life during the Great Depression from those who lived through it, in their own words. It is amazing how people came together to feed and care for each other in times of unimaginable poverty. Included are recipes and how people prepared foods that we normally kill as weeds. Several items I recognize from my Grandmother's little file box of recipes.

If you never really understood why people over the age of 60 do things, reading this book will put their mindset into perspective and the core of where they came from. It is so much more than just a little recipe book. I can also recommend the other books in the series as well.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great advice from Hard Times for Hard Times, December 4, 2007

By 

Kristi Lammel-Schilling (Germantown, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stories and Recipes of the Great Depression of the 1930's and More From Your Kitchen Today, Vol. 1 (Stories & Recipes of the Great Depression) (Spiral-bound)

This book, and the 4 other books in the series, are one part oral history project, one part cookbook emphasizing simplicity and frugality, and one part Grandmotherly advice on how to get through Hard Times, which can happen to anyone, even in the best of times. The stories illustrate how ingenuity and creativity made up for the lack if necessities, and helps us consider what is necessary for living and what is luxury. We are losing those who lived in those Hard Times, but thanks to Mrs. Van Amber and her daughter, the wisdom of that age will not be lost.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nostalgic about the Great Depression?, May 17, 2007

By 

B. J. Davidson (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Stories and Recipes of the Great Depression of the 1930's and More From Your Kitchen Today, Vol. 1 (Stories & Recipes of the Great Depression) (Spiral-bound)

It probably seems odd to enjoy reading about this difficult time in America, but it confirms my feeling that it gave those of who did, the ability to face whatever hardships come to us.

The first section is devoted to anecdotes and stories about living in the 1930s. Although it discusses happenings in Wisconsin during that time, it is easy to see the similarities between them and the people in other parts of the U.S. during that same time.

The second part has the recipes. Some of them would be appealing to people today, i.e., the Hot Dish chapter. The items used are not expensive and are filling. They take a bit of time to prepare and cook, but can be served for more than one meal. They are just good, simple food to be enjoyed by most anyone.