From the cassoulet that won a war to the crepe that doomed Napoleon, from the rebellions sparked by bread and salt to the new cuisines forged by empire, the history of France is intimately entwined with its gastronomic pursuits. A witty exploration of the facts and legends surrounding some of the most popular French foods and wines by a French cheesemonger and an American academic, A Bite-Sized History of France tells the compelling and often surprising story of France from the Roman era to modern times.
Title: A Bite-Sized History of France: Gastronomic Tales of Revolution, War, and Enlightenment
Author: Jeni Mitchell,Stephane Henaut
ISBN: 9781620975473
Binding:
Publisher: The New Press
Publication Date: 2019-06-27
Number of Pages: 352
Weight: 0.4081 kg
Praise for A Bite-Sized History of France:
Julia Child developed her passion for French food when she and her husband, Paul, moved to Paris in 1948. I think they would have enjoyed thumbing through 'A Bite-Sized History of France'. . . . The writing is clever, amusing, and knowledgeable.
-The Wall Street Journal
In this Franco-American couple's not-so-bite-sized history, the complex political, historical, religious and social factors that shaped some of the country's most iconic dishes and culinary products are explored in a way that will make you rethink every sprinkling of fleur de sel.
-Christine Muhlke, The New York Times Book Review
This impressive book intertwines tales of gastronomy, culture, war, and revolution . . . with brisk wit [and] imagination.
-The Christian Science Monitor
Pack this one if you're going abroad-or if you're simply hungry. The authors use food and wine as a way to trace French history from ancient times through today.
-Time
This engaging book recounts the history of France through its food . . . in lively vignettes.
-Foreign Affairs
A fascinating history of France through food [that is] exceptionally well-researched. This culinary history is a treat for Francophiles.
-Publishers Weekly
A husband and wife-he is French; she, American-move briskly through the history of France with a picnic basket full of information about the connections between history and gastronomy. . . . A genial journey through history that will leave readers both satiated and ravenous.
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
A very cool book about the intersections of food and history.
-Michael Pollan, New York Times bestselling author of How to Change Your Mind and The Omnivore's Dilemma
There is so much delicious information about French food, history and culture here that you'll be tempted to polish off the feast in great gulps. Don't! As is true with remarkable dishes, superb wines and excellent storytelling, you'll reap the greatest pleasure if you follow the authors' lead and savor this book in bite-sized morsels, the better to enjoy every bit.
-Dorie Greenspan, On Dessert columnist for The New York Times Magazine, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of Around My French Table and Dorie's Cookies
From the delights of French chocolate (through Portuguese Jews of Bayonne) to France's passion for plums (brought home by the Templars from Damascus), A Bite-Sized History of France offers satisfaction for all: tastes of history from the people who gave perhaps the world's greatest cuisine to the whole world. Why travel with a guide book on dry history, architecture, or politics when you can sink your teeth into such a delicious feast?
-Juliette Rossant, author of Super Chef
Who would have guessed forks had so much to do with bayonets? From the introduction of wine to Gaul by the Romans to Napoleon's pancake predictions before entering Russia, the strange dialectics of war and peas offer a fascinating means of exploring the origins of French culinary traditions. Funny and historically accurate, this delicious book will make you want to raid the fridge.
-Jean Lopez, founder and editor-in-chief, Guerres & Histoire
Have the French ever done anything that wasn't motivated, one way or another, by their search for good food? It seems not, and I can't imagine a more fascinating or titillating angle to explore the history of France than this wonderful book.
-Clotilde Dusoulier, author of Tasting Paris: 100 Recipes to Eat like a Local
