True confession? I have been thinking about this post for far too long. I need to write it and get it over with. If you think it is way too far off topic, just ignore it. I'll be back to great literature for us all very soon. But this book - THIS BOOK! - it is so much more than a cookbook. I feel like it is a great find, if perhaps not my usual ..um...'taste' in books!
This lovely, can't-put-it-down book is a history book, a well-written tale of the lives of women and families in American, all told through the cakes they baked. Anne Byrn has written a masterpiece in American Cake. She weaves tales of cake pans, presidents, pioneer hardship, and high society together with gorgeous pictures, fabulous recipes, and a healthy serving of humor as well.
The only thing that could make it better would be glorious photographs of the cakes themselves. Oh! She has put that in too! I had to limit what I showed you - after all, that wouldn't be fair! - but you can see more at the author's info page, including a cute video that will further intrigue you!
If I had a high school student and we were going to work our way through American history and/or American literature this next year, I would DEFINITELY get this book. We would work our way through this book in conjunction with our studies. It would be art, home economics, and so - SO - much fun.
This lovely, can't-put-it-down book is a history book, a well-written tale of the lives of women and families in American, all told through the cakes they baked. Anne Byrn has written a masterpiece in American Cake. She weaves tales of cake pans, presidents, pioneer hardship, and high society together with gorgeous pictures, fabulous recipes, and a healthy serving of humor as well.
The only thing that could make it better would be glorious photographs of the cakes themselves. Oh! She has put that in too! I had to limit what I showed you - after all, that wouldn't be fair! - but you can see more at the author's info page, including a cute video that will further intrigue you!
If I had a high school student and we were going to work our way through American history and/or American literature this next year, I would DEFINITELY get this book. We would work our way through this book in conjunction with our studies. It would be art, home economics, and so - SO - much fun.
See? On this page alone, you could learn about the "event" known as a "Cakewalk," presidential favorite cakes (or pies), and the umbiquitous history of the jelly roll. Honestly, there is something for everyone in this book. It would be a great Friday afternoon finale for whatever era of Americana you have covered that week, and hey, you wind up with dessert, right?
Now, in the movie Julie & Julia, a woman sets out to cook her way through Julia Child's cookbook. I don't think you could do that with American Cake. You just have to choose. Or - cook them all and give away CAKE right and left - your social circle would be gloriously happy with you!
Now, in the movie Julie & Julia, a woman sets out to cook her way through Julia Child's cookbook. I don't think you could do that with American Cake. You just have to choose. Or - cook them all and give away CAKE right and left - your social circle would be gloriously happy with you!
The book is nicely divided, so you can plan it out to go with your other studies, but the history in THIS book is unlike anything you'll read elsewhere. Fun and entertaining, stories of bakeware and social status told by culinary achievements will have you retelling the anecdotes to friends.
I had not had my copy of this cookbook for thirty minutes before I was recommending it.
I had not had my copy of this cookbook for thirty minutes before I was recommending it.
So, yes, this is a bit out of my usual realm. Now I will get myself right back over to the literary shelves, where I belong. But this book was worth making an exception - and I think if you take a look at it yourself, you will agree! Happy reading...er...baking AND reading!
Not all Rigor is Mortis! (especially with THIS recommendation!)
Not all Rigor is Mortis! (especially with THIS recommendation!)
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