What's Cooking?: The History of American Food (People's History) [Hardcover]

Sylvia Whitman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-This look at food from the early 1600s to the present day reveals a spirit of independence and flexible adaptation in American tastes and a strong link between what we eat as a nation and how much technology we have incorporated into our daily lives. Whitman examines the impact of agricultural methods; transportation; and the development of machinery, food processing, and preservation methods on the variety of foods in our diet over time. Economic hardship during the Great Depression and the rationing mandated during wars is considered, as are the effects of other historical events and trends. The author also discusses the influences of mass marketing and advertising and brand names and franchising. In its broader look at the American diet, this clearly written volume also offers a concise overview of American history. Sepia-toned photographs and reproductions illustrate the book. The "Exploring History through Simple Recipes" series (Blue Earth) focuses on specific periods and/or locations in American history and will complement Whitman's straightforward approach.
Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. Traditional history books may offer only a casual glance at food and its preparation through the ages, but this volume is devoted entirely to America's love affair with eating. And it's not frivolous. Whitman explores how food reflects and influences culture. From the hoe cakes, salt pork, and wild game that the first English settlers and the Native Americans shared to today's fast foods, each chapter focuses on a period of history, discussing everything from diet to food processing and preparation. Discussion of a variety of social issues--for example, the use of pesticides--gives the book even more depth. The text is very accessible, and there are many interesting black-and-white photographs. Give this to readers interested in culinary history as well as those researching history in general: it's intriguing as well as informative. Heather Hepler
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822517329
• ISBN-13: 978-0822517320
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #468,752 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

It's hard to guess what someone would want to know about me.

I write ... all kinds of things, for kids and adults, but most recently books for kids. (You know that, of course, if you found me via Amazon.) I'm interested in American and Arab history and good stories.

I work ... at Marymount University as a writing specialist, which makes me the campus cheerleader for writing. I talk a lot with faculty and sometimes I teach. I taught a freshman seminar last year on writing about cooking and eating.

I live ... in Arlington, Virginia, with my husband, who's from Tunisia (yay for the Jasmine Revolution!), and our two kids. We used to have a lovely guinea pig named Smore, who is now buried in our yard.

I play ... with my kids, and a little basketball. I miss playing squash. I walk a lot and swim.

I like ... (in no particular order) the ocean, couscous, dogs, flowers from bulbs, photographs.

I have a Web site in progress ... www.sylviawhitman.info

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not exactly factual, June 9, 2010

By 

A. Reader (Boise, Idaho United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What's Cooking?: The History of American Food (People's History) (Hardcover)

There are some REALLY great children's food books out there. This, however, isn't one of them. The dates are correct, but some of the statements are actually not true or accurate, which is unacceptable.

2.0 out of 5 stars More an essay than a book, December 28, 2009

By 

Nicholas Zukin "extramsg" (Vancouver, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What's Cooking?: The History of American Food (People's History) (Hardcover)

Guess I should have paid more attention to the details. This has very little detail. It's really just a glorified essay that spans all of American food history.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Really meant for kids, not obvious from the product description, December 6, 2009

By 

Theresa Vaughan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What's Cooking?: The History of American Food (People's History) (Hardcover)

If you are looking for a book on American Food history for kids (say, 8-14), this book isn't bad. The text is readable, the pictures are interesting and of good quality. My complaint is that I didn't know I was getting a children's history book when I bought it-- this isn't very clear from the product description.