Customer Reviews

TABASCO: An Illustrated History

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I was fortunate enough to be selected as one of the archaeologists who worked on recovering the site of the first Tabasco factory. That is where I met the author of this book, who at the time (2000) was still a Ph.D candidate.
With that disclaimer mentioned, this book is a fantacstic, all-encompassing story about one of the most beloved American products of all times. From it's humble beginnings that pre-date the Civil War, to its survival into the modern age of manufacturing and production, this book offers facinating tidbits of triva and many "are you SERIOUS??" revelations throughout. I particulalry like seeing how Tabasco's advertising campaigns have evolved over the years. The book does a great job in tracking the rise of a truly original American invention.
The author has been the McIlhenny Company historian for many years now and is THE source on all things Tabasco. He brings a great style to this book and has included some of the more rare photos from the past to help tell the story. Truly a must-have if you love Tabasco, if you want to know more about how this American legend began, or if you just want see how they get so much heat into such a little bottle.

Ayyyyieee!!

I have read both Rothefeder's book and Bernard's book. The former appears to be full of factual errors, some of them so ludicrous as to be laughable. The obvious anti-McIlhenny bias held by Rothfeder makes his work less believable, editorialized, and speculative. In contrast, Bernard's book is riveting, full of details, historical documents, and illustrations to which no one else has had access. The fact that the McIlhenny's have held their company together through ups and downs, profitably, is a testament to what is right about their business philosophy. Bernard's book was published by McIlhenny Company, but since he IS the company historian, you can bet that everything in there is accurate. It is the OFFICIAL history of Tabasco for good reason. If you're a fan of the sauce, you'll love this book.

I purchased this book for several of my family members. It is so much more than a beautiful coffee table book, although, it is extraordinarily eye pleasing and informative! Not only are the recipes easy and delicious, they really represent a terrific display of authenic history of our Louisiana culture. The McIlhenny family history is as interesting as the story of how "Tabasco" became such a beloved icon of Avery Island and all of South Louisiana. I would reccomend it as a gift to your favorite "person who has everything"!

February 27, 1973. That's the day Avery was born. Nine months earlier, her mother and I spent a magical weekend at the Holiday Inn in New Iberia, Louisiana. We were both students at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Avery's mother and I didn't have much (any) money. We had heard that there was a very special place where they made Tabasco sauce and that one could tour the island and visit the salt mine for free.

So we drove from New Orleans to New Iberia, checked into the Holiday Inn and went on the (free) tour of the McIlhenny estate. It was magical: decades before it became politically correct to preserve wildlife such as the snowy egret (a bird), the McIlhenny family set aside an island paradise for anyone to see who bothered to make the (unadvertised) trip.

My wife and I named the wonderful girl conceived on our trip to Avery Island 'Avery".

Avery has married and has given me twin grandchildren, Anna and Jackson. I look forward to the day when I will walk Avery Island with them.

In the late '50s, I attended NC summer camp with one of the McIlhenny girls, Sarah.In 1959, her family invited me to spend Thanksgiving week-end at the Old Place on Avery Island. It would be my first turkey day away from my 6th, 7th, and 8th generation Floridian McCormick family. What an incredible experience for a 15 year old! I remember playing hide 'n seek(which I won by climbing high in one of the ancient oaks!) with Sarah, her brothers(Paul?PIM?) and cousins; touring the drying sheds at the pepper plant; going down into the salt mines; roaming that incredible house; Mrs. McIlhenny taking us with her to a political rally in Donaldsonville; breakfast at Brennan's; the return leg of my first solo air trip. I am so thankful for this marvelous tribute to this amazing family and special place as any photos which I may have taken with a trusty Brownie Hawkeye camera have long since disappeared. Your book will be treasured by me and my family for years to come as it gives credence to one of my favorite "Nana" yarns! Thank you. Patricia McCormick Wainer, Neptune Beach, FL

I loved this book. Super archival photographs, detailed company/family history, and some tasty recipes.

Really captures that part of America at that time, late 1800's in the South.

The images of company forms, newspaper clippings, photos of Avery Island, workers, peppers, and so much etc are superb.

If you want to learn more about McIlheney and Tabasco, this is the perfect book.

Great gift book too.

Wonderful photos, well written and a very thorough and fun to read history of our favorite hot sauce, Tabasco.