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cinchona's review against another edition
4.0
Although at first I dismissed this book as somewhat "book-reporty," I eventually fell into the rhythm of the facts and quotes and information and started to appreciate the comprehensive nature of her research. I found myself spouting little facts about the history of kitchen utensils to my friends over dinner, or observing for the first time the peculiar way my significant other uses his fork (in the British manner, despite being born and bred American.)
Overall, I grew to quite like this book while listening to it, and some of the sections--on forks and fridges, and the movement from roasting to oven cooking--were fascinating and I felt compelled to talk about them with people. There were dull sections that I wanted to cut out, but they were short enough to be tolerable. It's rather like the author is painting a picture with lots of short, small strokes, and some land astray and most land well enough so that a pleasing image is eventually formed.
The reader of the audiobook was very fun to listen to, particularly when doing an American accent for quotes, which was hilarious. I don't hear British people doing American accents very often and I found it quite funny.
Overall, I grew to quite like this book while listening to it, and some of the sections--on forks and fridges, and the movement from roasting to oven cooking--were fascinating and I felt compelled to talk about them with people. There were dull sections that I wanted to cut out, but they were short enough to be tolerable. It's rather like the author is painting a picture with lots of short, small strokes, and some land astray and most land well enough so that a pleasing image is eventually formed.
The reader of the audiobook was very fun to listen to, particularly when doing an American accent for quotes, which was hilarious. I don't hear British people doing American accents very often and I found it quite funny.
somestuff's review against another edition
5.0
had a great time
certainly increases the lists of reasons to be excited to live when preparation of food involves mass produced refined grains/flour/sugar, rice cookers, refrigeration, peelers, and gas/electric powered cooktops
certainly increases the lists of reasons to be excited to live when preparation of food involves mass produced refined grains/flour/sugar, rice cookers, refrigeration, peelers, and gas/electric powered cooktops
pkiwi's review against another edition
4.0
A very informative and entertaining book about everything we take for granted surrounding food - except for the food itself. Wilson tackles a huge subject in a light and readable way while skipping her way through 'cooking and eating, 30000 BC to now'. A great book as an introduction to the subject that makes you look at spoons and forks (in museums) in a new light. Its only downsides are that it was in turns superficial or highly Ameri-centric. The author talks about certain subjects at considerable length, like the technology of egg-whisking, but by the last two chapters, the general message of the book became a little repetitive. 4 stars for an enjoyable, eye-opening book that I might nonetheless not read again soon, but will recommend to my mom.
cloudss's review against another edition
informative
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
love this. one of the best intros to a book I’ve ever read. fire fridges pots+pans knives spoons chop sticks cooking styles manors have all shaped the modern kitchen & wilson describes them in a fascinating and entertaining way. truly a well reasoned and researched book. makes you rethink many things you take for granted in your day to day eating
mommacusses's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0