Paradox of Plenty: A Social History of Eating in Modern America, Revised Edition (California Studies in Food and Culture) (Volume 8) First Edition, Revised

by Harvey Levenstein (Author)

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ISBN-13: 978-0520234406

ISBN-10: 9780520234406

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In this sweeping history of food and eating in modern America, Harvey Levenstein explores the social, economic, and political factors that have shaped the American diet since 1930.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Assuming the duty of telling Americans who they are through what they eat, Harvey Levenstein, in his latest chronicle of American food habits, reveals much about the United States and its inhabitants. . . . Levenstein's insightful description and analysis, the book's wealth of alternately humorous and sobering anecdotes, and its impressive array of information about food in modern U.S. society make for a stimulating glimpse into American culture."--"Reviews in American History

About the Author

Harvey Levenstein is Professor Emeritus of History at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Among his books are Revolution at the Table: The Transformation of the American Diet (California, 2003), Seductive Journey: American Tourists in France from the Jefferson to the Jazz Age (1998), and Communism, Anticommunism and the CIO (1981).

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0520234405
Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of California Press; First Edition, Revised (May 5, 2003)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 376 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780520234406
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0520234406
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.3 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #407,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #539 in Customs & Traditions Social Sciences
- #591 in United States History (Books)
- #673 in Gastronomy History (Books)

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hallowmetrop

standard history of 20th century American food culture

Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2020

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When I was in grad school (a decade and a half ago), this was a go-to history of American food culture, covering about 1930 to the century's end. (Levenstein's earlier book, Revolution at the Table, covers American food from about 1880 to 1930.) Paradox of Plenty holds up well today. It covers its ground thoroughly: the Depression, World War II (both for the troops and the home front), postwar affluence, suburbia, food and women's history, hunger, food politics, food science, public health, ethnic and regional cultures and subcultures, the restaurant industry, international influences, agricultural history, the counterculture, fast food, slow food -- all of these and more are treated in considerable detail and very well integrated, in a solid performance of interdisciplinary history. If you're looking for a scholarly but still well-written history of 20th century American food, seek no more. The book's only real flaw is a consistent tone of "the enormous condescension of posterity." Levenstein seems to view his human subjects -- the cooks and eaters of 20th century America -- as backwards or crackpots or at least rather silly, relative to our more enlightened culinary era. (As if future historians won't find our contemporary food culture wanting in various respects!) A humbler approach, more understanding of cultural context, would have done more credit to the author. Nevertheless, the book remains both a solid piece of scholarship and an accessible and enjoyable piece of American cultural history.

3 people found this helpful

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music lover

Very interesting book

Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2020

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I found this book extremely interesting. It is packed with information but I did not feel overwhelmed. The author writes well and makes the subject both compelling and informative. I learned so much and enjoyed doing so. I enjoyed it so much. Highly recommended!

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ed bavoso

The book reviews the trends and changes of food in ...

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2014

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The book reviews the trends and changes of food in the USA from a cultural, nutritional, medical, and marketing standpoint in the 20th century.. Although the paragraphs are long and could be condensed, the effort to read this book gave me context as to why the average consumer is confused regarding nutrition and how status even applies to our dietary habits...... even if those habits are detrimental to our health.

3 people found this helpful

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caitlin

but also provides some great history.

Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2017

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This book is well written. It's entertaining, but also provides some great history.

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Summer Jeffrey

Needed it for a class

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2013

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Who knew there was so much information on American eating habits. This book is bursting with facts and figures about the history of social eating.

One person found this helpful

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redfed

A fascinating look at our food industries

Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2013

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This is a truly compelling read; on every page is information that needs to be headline news! There needs to be a new edition now to highlight things that have changed.

2 people found this helpful

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darcy v chevrette

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2017

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Very good book.

Helpful

Great Book

Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2007

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I had to read this for my class, but it is a very interesting. If you are into the history of the American diet I would highly recommend this book.