Humble Pie: Musings on What Lies Beneath the Crust (Paperback)

by Anne Dimock (Author)
Key Phrases: pie makers, thousand pies, pie basket, New Jersey, True Pie, Queen of Pies (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Anne Dimock grew up in a household where, she notes, "A dearth of good pie was a hardship I never encountered, never knew must be borne up by most folk." When she realized that the decline of the American pie civilization might be a harbinger of even deeper cultural problems, Anne became a woman on a mission to save pie from extinction.

Dimock shares her thoughts on the Zen of making pie crust, the politics of pie, judging a man's character according to his pie protocol, state fair pie competitions, the kinship between pie and baseball, and the search for edible pie at roadside diners.

Folksy and full of humor, Humble Pie is more than just an evocative journey through a life lived in pie. It is a culinary manifesto for a pie renaissance, inviting readers to take up their rolling pins and revive an endangered slice of American culture. Dimock advises us all to "Roll back the apprehension, the doubt, and enter the childlike state of grace where all things are possible and anything lost can be found again. The pie you seek resides not only in memory and imagination-your next piece of pie begins right here."

From the Publisher
Anne Dimock grew up in a household where, she notes, "A dearth of good pie was a hardship I never encountered, never knew must be borne up by most folk." When she realized that the decline of the American pie civilization might be a harbinger of even deeper cultural problems, Anne became a woman on a mission to save pie from extinction. Dimock shares her thoughts on the Zen of making pie crust, the politics of pie, judging a man's character according to his pie protocol, state fair pie competitions, the kinship between pie and baseball, and the search for edible pie at roadside diners. Folksy and full of humor, Humble Pie is more than just an evocative journey through a life lived in pie. It is a culinary manifesto for a pie renaissance, inviting readers to take up their rolling pins and revive an endangered slice of American culture. Dimock advises us all to "Roll back the apprehension, the doubt, and enter the childlike state of grace where all things are possible and anything lost can be found again. The pie you seek resides not only in memory and imagination—your next piece of pie begins right here."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740754653
• ISBN-13: 978-0740754654
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #193,744 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dimock on Pie: Musings to Amuse and Delight, November 29, 2005

By	Carlisle F. Runge "C. Ford Runge" (Stillwater, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anne Dimock has written a delightful exercise on the importance of everyday life, and the foods that define much of its pleasure. While pie (mainly apple) forms its core, she writes affectionately and with deft assurance of
lives lost and loves gained and generations passed and present. Her discursive essay on apple varieties is especially interesting, as well as her view of crust and the somewhat frightening use of pie-cutting methods as a Rorschach test of personality types in men. A great book for the holidays!

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Live the Queen of Pies!, September 29, 2005

By	Mary E. Avila (Fresno, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book warms the heart and brings a smile to those who enjoy eating a good apple pie, or any pie for that matter. It's a must read for all who sit in awe of those who heed their calling to make these homemade masterpieces. The book won't prompt you to go out and buy pie .... it will elevate you to want to try to make one on your own!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pie Makers Unite!, January 15, 2006

By	Rick Miracle "Pie Maker" (Bloomington, IN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a life-long Pie Maker (I'm 58 and learned how to make pies from my German grandmother when I was 9 years old), I couldn't believe my eyes when my husband gave me this book for my most recent birthday. In fact, I read it cover to cover and then baked an apricot pie! While I found the actual information quite useful (such as the treatise about different apples), it was the way Anne Dimock presents the philosophical, even spiritual, aspects of being a Pie Maker that really resonated with me. This is not just a cook book; it's a book that celebrates all things handmade, genuine, created through love and industry. We who are Pie Makers know what it means to mix together a dough that "feels" right; put together an interesting filling (I love apples and blackberries, and I'm "famous" among my husband's friends for my apricot pie), dot it generously with butter and place the top crust. And then the magic of opening the oven and being able to tell if the pie is done by the amount of bubbly juiciness. Yes, we Pie Makers need to celebrate our good fortune in having a book that now puts all our feelings and joys of making pies into words. If you're a Pie Maker, make this book the next one you read, preferably with a piece of your own delicious pie! Oh, and one more thing -- be sure and pass on your Pie Maker knowledge. My 6-year old grandson doesn't think it's a complete visit with "Grammie" unless we make a pie together. He has a couple of little pie pans (similar to the ones my grandmother gave me) so that he can make his very own pie and not have to share it with his 2 year-old sister!. I'll be reading Humble Pie to him on his next visit! -- Louise Miracle (Bloomington, IN)