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Literary New & Featured Please note that we have recently rebuilt the literary section. The books are now divided into categories listed in the right-hand sidebar. In Defense of Food Michael Pollan Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. These seven provoking words from Michael Pollan will again ignite discussion about what we eat, and challenges the nutrient-by-nutrient approach to eating, called nutritionism. In his new book Pollan helps us understand and challenge the Western diet. To relearn which foods are healthy, moderate our appetites and get us back to eating at the table and not in a car! He argues our personal health cannot be divorced from the health of the food chains of which we are a part. As always Pollan writes with passion, thoughtfulness and a directness that makes this new manifesto must reading, as was The Omnivore's Dilemma. Softcover, 244 pp, $26.50. The Omnivore's Dilema: A Natural History of Four Meals Michael Pollan Pollan, the best selling author of Botany of Desire, poses the question of what we should have for dinner. Should we eat organic? Or perhaps something we hunt, gather or grow ourselves? Or a fast food hamburger? What to do? Pollan follows the food chains of industrial food, organic and food we forage for - from the source to the final meal. Hardcover, 450 pp, $38.00. Rogues, Writers & Whores: Dining with the Rich & Infamous Daniel Rogov No, this is not about what Brittany Spears eats (or doesn't eat). We encounter Proust, Marquis de Sade, Esscoffier, Curnonsky, Zola, Sacher, Cardinal Richelieu to name but 69 of the worthy rogues. For example who knew Queen Elizabeth I loved sweets so much she had large pockets sewn into all of her dresses to store her beloved cookies, candies and petits fours! Hardcover, 333pp, $32.95. Secret Ingredients The New Yorker Book of Food and Drink Edited by David Remnick With essays from A. J. Liebling, M.F.K. Fisher, Adam Gopnik, Calvin Trillin, Ogden Nash, Mark Singer, Nora Ephron, Julian Barnes to name but a few, need we say more?  Yes, we can, don't forget the cartoons. Hardcover, 583 pp. $35.95. Table Talk A.A. Gill Subtitled Sweet and Sour, Salt and Bitter, this collection of columns from the Sunday Times and Tatler reveals the peripatetic restaurant/television critic at his rapier-witted best. Whether whale or Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Gill can mine any dish for the greater truth about a culture. Hardcover, 271 pp. $34.95. Food: the History of Taste Edited by Paul Freedman University of California Press doesn't publish many culinary books but when they do, what gems they are. Essays from food historians from around the world present a history of taste from earliest prehistory to the present day gastronomic landscape. Richly illustrated and beautifully designed this is must for everyone interested in the pleasure of taste. Hardcover, 368 pp. $45.95. The Food Snob's Dictionary: An Essential Lexicon of Gastronomical Knowledge David Kamp Hot on the heels of his successful United States of Arugula ($21.00), comes this serious tongue in cheek, yes, its both, informative little book on the latest buzz terms as well as seminal names eg Fernand Point. Softcover, 112 pp, $14.95. The Tenth Muse - My Life in Food Judith Jones Legendary editor of ground breaking cooks such as Madhur Jaffrey, Claudia Roden, Edna Lewis, Joan Nathan and Marion Cunningham. But it is her early work work as editor of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking that created publishing and gastronomical history. This is a long overdue charming memoir from Jones, who has played a major role in the American food revolution. Hardcover, 290 pp. $29.95. Spilling the Beans Clarissa Dickson Wright The living half of the revered Two Fat Ladies, Clarissa Dickson Wright’s unflinching memoir is full of paradises gained, lost, and regained. The offspring of a gifted but alcoholic surgeon and an Australian heiress, she became, at age 21,  the youngest woman ever called to the Bar. After her legal career drowned in a sea of alcohol following the sudden death of her mother, Dickson Wright found solace and then fame, though not always fortune, in cooking. Paper, 328pp, $29.95. Week In Week Out Simon Hopkinson Drawn from his columns in The Independent, the 52 seasonal “ stories” features a current event, ingredient, or iconic dish. As in his earlier books (including Roast Chicken and Other Stories,$29.95), Hopkinson celebrates enduring culinary pleasure over fleeting culinary fashion. In the wake of the declaration of Roast Chicken as most useful cookbook ever, this book is more glamorous than Hopkinson’s earlier books with quality paper and glossy colour photos yet content still trumps looks. Hardcover, 255 pp, $54.95. Citrus Pierre Laszlo There are academics. There are storytellers. Rarely the twain doth meet. However, meet they do in Pierre Laszlo, professor emeritus of chemistry at the University of Liege and the Ecole Polytechnique. As he did earlier with Salt: Grain of Life ($22.00, pbk), Laszlo weaves together the scientific, the historical, and the cultural to bring the story of a fruit family that has worked its way into virtually every cuisine around the world. Colour photos. Hardcover, 251 pp. $25.00. Vivo e:  The Fish Markets of Sicily Andrea Zanfi, photographs by Gio Martorana There is text to peruse in this book including a glossary of the fish sold in Sicilian market stalls. However, it is really the stunning photographs that really tell the story of Sicily’s fish markets and the culture built up around them over the centuries. From the majolica fish that grace the cover to the almost transparent nunnata and the seemingly pre-historic spininess of sea urchins, this is a book breath-taking beauty. Hardcover, 267 pp, $105.95. The Fight for Fordhall Farm Ben & Charlotte Hollins The Fight for Fordhall Farm is the inspiring tale of how a young brother and sister saved their Shropshire farm, in the family for seven centuries- from the threat of land developers and the multinationals. With the help of more than 8000 investors they saved their home and livelihood by setting up the not-for-profit Fordhall Community Land Initiative. Supporters include Prince Charles, Sting, and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Colour photos. HC, 336 pp, $34.95. Bitter Chocolate Carol Off An expose of the dark side of chocolate this is a must read for those unaware of the history and politics of chocolate and those dubious of paying extra for fair trade sweets. Off investigates the cocao trade from the original, exotic Aztec delicacy, through colonial exploitation and the slave trade, to today with cocao crops controlled by multinationals. The book also includes a critical look at the fair trade moniker and what it really means. Hardcover, 326 pp. $34.95. One Continuous Picnic: A Gastronomic History of Australia Michael Symons This is a revised and expanded edition of Symons’s fascinating account of Australia’s history as revealed through food. Erudite yet engaging, Symon looks at the influence that various immigrant groups have had on cuisine, the development of such iconic items as Vegemite and Pavlova, and trend towards local eating and industry in Australia today. This edition features an expanded bibliography and index. B & W illustrations. Softcover, 366 pp. Gordon Ramsay's Playing with Fire Gordon Ramsay Following in the wake of Humble Pie (aka Roasting in Hell’s Kitchen, $32.95), the second installment of Gordon Ramsay’s autobiography, Gordon Ramsay’s Playing with Fire, focuses more on the business aspects of his life from how he went from sous-chef to chef-owner to international television star with a Bentley in the drive and two kitchens in his house. Coloured slices of Ramsay’s life. Hardcover, 296 pp. $44.95. Food John Knechtel The Alphabet City/MIT series aims to get readers thinking by challenging accepted orthodoxy on various topics. Here writers and artists examine the many ways in which the need for food collides with economics, geography, and the demand for “in” foodstuffs. Edgy graphics reflect forward thinking. Hardcover, 330 pp. $17.95. Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant    Edited by Jenni Ferrari-Adler Subtitled Confessions of Cooking for One and Dining Alone, this collection, sometimes poignant, often exhilarating, confirms that eating alone and being lonely do not need to equate. M.F.K, Fisher, Ann Patchett, Laurie Colwin, Marcella Hazan, Mary Cantwell, and Nora Ephron are among the stellar writers who have realized the pleasures and myriad ways of feeding oneself. Hardcover, 272 pp. $28.50. La Vie en Rose Jamie Ivey The sequel to Extremely Pale Rose ($16.95) finds the Iveys and their friend Peter back in France to set up a rose bar in Aix en Provence, a joyous quest that drags them from Aix to Uzes, Cannes and Juan Les Pins. Along the way, they encounter French wine prejudices, the Provencal mafia, farmers markets to die for, and more local fetes than you could ever imagine. Softcover, $34.95. Arranging the Meal Jean-Louis Flandrin The order in which food is served has changed over the ages and from country to country. Traditionally social historians have considered this evolution a distinct phenomenon. Using old menus, comparisons between countries, and countries in various periods, Professor Flandrin argues that, like so many events in social history, it is a result of socio-economic factors. Copious footnotes, bibliography, and reproductions of vintage illustrations. Hardcover, 209 pp. $34.95. Sotheby's Cafe Cookbook With seasonal recipes from head chef Laura Greenfield and wine selections from wine department head, Serena Sutcliffe, this book features a double celebration: the 10th anniversary of the venerable auction house’s café, and of the intersection of food and art. In support of the latter there are essays from such contributors as food historian, Sara Paston-Williams, artist Vik Muniz, and Mrs. Beeton’s biographer, Kathryn Hughes.The recipes themselves feature a blend of the traditional and contemporary - asparagus, smoked salmon, poached egg & maltaise sauce, Eton mess with hazelnut crunch. Colour photos of food , art and objects. Hardcover, 160 pp. $56.50. Back to top

Literary New & Featured Biography & Memoir Food Ecology & Politics Food History Food Travel Restaurants

The Borough Market Book: From Roots to Renaissance Although it has been the site of a wholesale produce market for a thousand years, it is only in the last decade that London’s Borough Market has welcomed retail customers.  This book captures all the charm and colour which have made it a destination for foodies everywhere. Interviews with retailers (eg Randolph Hodgson of Neal’s Yard) and shoppers (Rose Gray, Mark Hix, Antonio Carluccio et al) help to define the pleasures of the market. The icing on the cake is a selection of simple seasonal recipes employing ingredients fresh from the market. The market traders’ directory lists retailers both alphabetically and by category. Colour photos. Softcover, 175 pp, $49.95. Bread & Oil Tomas Graves A treatise on mediterranean cooking, agriculture, and traditions illustrated with examples and recipes from the island of Majorca. This is a lovely and loving guide to the people and cuisine of the island perfect for literary foodies and anyone travelling in the region. Hardcover, 254 pp. $29.95. Kitchen Con: Writing on the Restaurant Racket Trevor White Trevor White, an Irish restaurant critic, has written a funny and sometimes downright scathing memoir/expose about the grand restaurants of the world, the egomaniacs who cook at them, the thieves who run them, and the pretentious lot who feel compelled to write about them.  The book includes an interview with that ultimate insider Anthony Bourdain and covers the ever-expanding rise of restaurants and food in the social consciousness. Hardcover, 228 pp. $32.99. Definitely Not Martha Stewart Janice Wells This tale of starting over in the age of the domestic diva is both poignant and hilarious. For all the women who do not have Martha’s financial resources with which to begin anew, for anyone who has talked to her coffee filter, for anyone who has contemplated laying a hardwood floor before aging the wood, this book is for you. Hardcover, 192 pp. $27.95. Alice Waters and Chez Panisse Tom McNamee Even authorized biographies can make headlines The shock horror here is the revelation that some of Chez Panisses's early cash infusions came via freelance pharmaceutical sales, albeit the hippy variety rather than South American cartels. The transformation from wide-eyed student arriving in France with little knowledge of food to a restaurateur who changed the way Americans view food makes for fascinating reading. Now that we have Alice's version of the life and times of Chez Panisse as well as Jeremiah Tower's rather hissier take on the matter (California Dish, $20), we probably need a third view from a neutral party for the true picture. Black and white photos. Hardcover, 380 pp, $35.00. In Bad Taste? The Adventures and Science Behind Food Delicacies Dr. Massimo Francesco Marcone A fascinating read that is part food science and part foodie travel odyssey, Dr. Marcone recounts his research in a personable and entertaining manner. Contacted by the Discovery Channel to look into the 'legend' of Kopi Luwak coffee (the beans of which are collected from civet feces in Indonesia) and impelled by curiousity to look ever deeper into many of the world's food delicacies his findings are interesting for anyone interested in food science or just amused by the many strange edibles consumed by food lovers everywhere. Hardcover, 198 pp. $29.95. The Zen of Fish Trevor Corson Sushi is everywhere these days, a food fad that has become permanent. Tasty, quick, and healthy, sushi is a global phenomenon. In this fascinating tale author Corson (who wrote The Secret Lives of Lobsters) relates the historical origins of sushi and its meteoric rise in popularity throughout the Western world. Corson also follows students on the path to becoming sushi masters and discusses the biology and natural history of the fish and seafood commonly found on a sushi platter. Hardcover, 372 pp. $29.95. Chef’s Story Edited by Dorothy Hamilton and Patric Kuh In the companion to the French Culinary Institute’s Public Television series, 27 celebrated chefs, many of whom have worked with each other, tell the story of how they came to the food industry and made it their home. In a more narrative and, at once, in a both more and less specific way, Chef’s Story reiterates for the general public what Becoming a Chef (Dornenburg and Page, $35.99) imparts to those working, or wanting to work, in the industry. The moral of both is that being a chef is a labour of love with a high price attached, both in a business and personal sense. Black and white chef photos. Hardcover, 279 pp, $34.95. Prohibition Edward Behr An important and interesting look at the thirteen years of American prohibition, perhaps one of the country's greatest blunders. Behr's work, a companion piece to the A&E television special, examines the temperance movement and the outcomes of Prohibition, notably the rise in organized crime as bootlegging became essential to slake the thirst of speakeasy patrons. An especially sobering book in light of current policies designed to enforce moral behaviour, particularly the flagging war on drugs and the efforts to enact a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Black and white photographs. Softcover, 262 pp. $18.95. Everybody Eats There     William Stadiem & Mara Gibbs What better way to spend your holidays than reading a book that mixes social history, culinary history, and gossip? The authors take the reader into and behind the scene of the places celebrities have made a home away from home places like New York’s Elaine’s and Balthazar, London’s Ivy and San Lorenzo, Hong Kong’s The China Club. When you are done reading, start dialing, there is a list of addresses and phone numbers in the back. A few black and white photos of the scene not the food. Hardcover, 369 pp, $33.95. The Last Chinese Chef Nicole Mones The author of Lost in Translation blends friendship, love, and food into a voyage of self-discovery. Drawn to China in a quest to unravel a paternity claim against her late husband combined with an assignment to write about a rising culinary star, heroine Maggie McElroy immersion in a different culture brings her a new understanding of self. Hardcover, 278 pp. $32.95. Good Bread is Back Steven Laurence Kaplan An academic who has been twice knighted by the French government for contributions to "the sustenance and nourishment" of French culture, Steven Laurence Kaplan has made the history of French bread and its renaissance his avocation. Rather than merely presenting facts, Kaplan is able to evoke the sensory properties which make French bread beloved way beyond the borders of France. Colour photos of historic boulangeries. Hardcover, 368 pp, $32.95. The Oldways Table K. Dun Gifford & Sara Baer-Sinnott A culinary think tank, Oldways was founded in 1990 to consider ways in which to combat the growing flood of fast food and the effects of agri-business. Ninety essays from a broad range of contributors Deborah Madison, Steve Jenkins, Julia Della Croce, Elisabeth Luard illustrate what the think tank is all about in a less political way than some similar books. A selection of recipes, many of Mediterranean origin, demonstrate the simplicity of preparation and the intensity of flavour that is the hallmark of oldways cooking. A few drawings but no photos. Hardcover, 272 pp, $41.95. Roasting in Hell's Kitchen Gordon Ramsay Titled Humble Pie in the UK, Gordon Ramsay's autobiography is an unflinching look back at a difficult home life, the football career that almost was, and the wildly successful cooking career that is. Yes, he employs the "s" and "f" words almost as frequently in writing as he does in speaking. Colour and black and white photos trace his life from the angelic-looking four year old he was to the furrow-browed businessman he has become. Softcover, 284 pp. $17.50. Cakes and Ale Judy Spours The Great Exhibition of 1851 and the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 book ended what could be termed Britain’s Golden Age of Gluttony. From street food to over-the-top banquets, from celebrity chefs to domestic goddesses, Judy Spours explores culinary indulgence set against a background of social strictures. Reproductions of magnificent period illustrations - many from advertisements - evoke the age. Hardcover, 176 pp. $35.00. The 100-Mile Diet Alisa Smith & J.B. MacKinnon Imagine going a whole year without olive oil or citrus fruit. In fact , within living memory people who lived in northern areas did do just that. After learning that most ingredients for the North American diet travel 1500 miles from earth to table, Smith and MacKinnon decided to try a year of eating locally. Becoming "celebrities of the blogosphere" in the process, they ate only what was grown within a 100 mile radius of their Vancouver home. This book reveals the pleasures, pitfalls, and environmental implications of the "100- mile diet." Hardcover, 266 pp, $32.95. Alice Let's Eat Calvin Trillin One of the great humorists of his generation, Calvin Trillin is also one of the champion connoisseurs, particularly of Kansas City barbecue. Originally published in 1978, Alice, Let’s Eat is a side-splittingly funny account of Trillin’s cross cultural culinary adventures. More than that it is a love story, a tribute to his wife, Alice, who played the voice-of-reason George Burns part to Trillin’s madcap Gracie Allen. For anyone already familiar with the book, a re-reading is especially poignant in light of Alice’s death in 2001. Softcover, 182 pp. $16.00. Back to top

Eat Pray Love Elizabeth Gilbert A New York Times bestseller about Gilbert's travels through Italy, India, and Indonesia, and rediscovering herself after divorce and depression. Engrossing and funny, with the occasional profound spiritual insight about life and love. Softcover, 334 pp. $18.50. Culinary Cultures of Europe Edited by Darra Goldstein & Kathrin Merkle A fascinating, if rather academic, read this large volume covers the culinary traits of every European country, including Scandinavia and the former USSR (including Russia). This is an anthropological treatise, not just on what these peoples eat but also what it means and the cultural significance given to food. There is an essay for each country, and a recipe or two. Very interesting for anyone interested in food or European history and culture. Colour photos. Softcover, 502 pp. $125.00. The Year of Eating Dangerously Tom Parker Bowles With his food writer credibility firmly established, columns, features in Tatler, the Mail on Sunday, and a book, E is for Eating($28.95), Tom Parker Bowles packs up his “timid tummy” to travel thousands of miles in an Anthony Bourdain-worthy search for culinary extremes. From near internecine wars over American barbeque to malodorous dog stew in Korea, the royal stepson’s wry humor brightens the oddest eating experiences. Hardcover, 372 pp, $45.00. The Prawn Cocktail Years Simon Hopkinson and Lindsey Bareham A new edition of Hopkinson's and Bareham's entertaining look at British restaurant and hotel classics, back before London was the food destination it is today. With wry affection for the dishes that were once ubiquitous on every menu the authors reminisce about the role each played in the British consciousness and provide recipes to remind us why they became so established in the first place. Hardcover, 272 pp. $49.00. The Diary of an Honest Mum Jools Oliver Funny, honest, helpful and surprising, Jamie’s wife Jools’ diary of pregnancy and motherhood is charming and informative. Lots of helpful hints, laughs and reality, with kid friendly recipes and candid suggestions of what not to buy make this a must for new or expectant mums. Hardcover, 315 pp. $31.95. Heat Bill Buford If you have now finished My Life in France and are looking for another food book to read then pick up this latest arrival. It couldn't be more different, but no less passionate, or well written. A highly readable book from this engaging former New Yorker writer. When Mario Batali invites amateur home cook Buford to work at Babbo, well, you can imagine what ensues when you have a dysfunctional group of people in a cramped area with sharp objects, hot equipment, who really don't like each other, yes, welcome to the Babbo kitchen! Buford combines humour, kitchen soap opera drama, the common goal of perfection on every plate and a highly volatile Batali to keep the rollicking pace. When Buford heads off to Italy however, the pace lags somewhat as he sets to work with the Dante quoting butcher. In spite of this his layman's curiosity as to the origins of Italian food, ingredients & techniques both at Babbo and in Italy keeps the reader engaged. And you will never again order pasta after 10 pm in a restaurant! Nasty Bits Anthony Bourdain Bourdain is back with his candid and over the top passion for food. A writer/chef who is never afraid to take on the establishment and the activists, individually or at the same time, in the quest for taste.   Dish Marion Kane Sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes amusing, this collection presents the best columns from veteran Toronto Star food writer Marion Kane. Whether reminiscing about the food of her youth or her friendship with Julia Child, Kane is always charmingly entertaining. Recipes, no photos. Hardcover, 304 pp, $24.95. The Borough Market Book: From Roots to Renaissance Although it has been the site of a wholesale produce market for a thousand years, it is only in the last decade that London’s Borough Market has welcomed retail customers.  This book captures all the charm and colour which have made it a destination for foodies everywhere. Interviews with retailers (eg Randolph Hodgson of Neal’s Yard) and shoppers (Rose Gray, Mark Hix, Antonio Carluccio et al) help to define the pleasures of the market. The icing on the cake is a selection of simple seasonal recipes employing ingredients fresh from the market. The market traders’ directory lists retailers both alphabetically and by category. Colour photos. Softcover, 175 pp, $49.95. Eater’s Digest Lorraine Bodger Jam-packed with lists (8 woods for grilling, foreign foods Americans love) quizzes and short essays on all manner of food topics, this book will provide hours of joy for any foodie. Perhaps not so arcane as Schott’s Food & Drink Miscellany ($23.95), it is equaling charming in its own way. Hardcover, 320 pp, $25.95. Read It and Eat Sarah Gardner If you have always wanted to found a book club but had no idea how to begin, this is the book for you. Gardner picks the books (complete with synopsis and all publishing information), suggests questions for discussion, a subject-appropriate menu and recipes. All you have to do is choose your fellow members. Hardcover, 300 pp, $28.00. Sweetness & Light - The Mysterious History of the Honey Bee Hattie Ellis Bees are fascinating creatures, as evidenced by this beautifully written book. Not only do they provide us with honey, propolis, and even venom-for which there are myriad uses - but also with inspiration in art, architecture, science, and sociology. Here's to apiculture and beyond. Softcover, 290 pp, $16.95. Opera & Wine - Wine in Opera Valentino Monticello Combining the best of all worlds - art, wine, opera - London-based sommelier and consultant Valentino Monticello illustrated his book on the intersection of wine and opera with opera-scene collages created from wine labels. Hardcover, 263 pp, $150.00. The Passionate Olive Carol Firenze Yes, there are recipes for romesco sauce and tuna confit, there is some history and a list of olive oil milestones but the real treat in this charming little book is its suggestions for non-food uses. Furniture polish, cradle cap cure, antiseptic, and beauty treatments…the list is long and often surprising. Whimsical illustrations. Hardcover, 244 pp, $25.95. The Perfect Egg and Other Secrets Aldo Buzzi A tiny perfect treasure, Buzzi’s essays, first collected in Italian in 1979, extolling the virtues of such simple pleasures of eggs and salsa verde,are illustrated by his architecture school classmate, American artist Saul Steinberg. Hardcover, 150 pp, $23.95. The Family Dinner Linda Sunshine and Mary Tiegreen A glimpse into the rituals and family dinners. Poignant and often hilarious black and white photos and remembrances from popular writers. Hardcover, 112 pp. $25.95. How We Eat Leon Rappoport This book examines the many contradictions of Americans' relationships with food: food is a primal source of sensual pleasure and a major cultural anxiety; Americans adore celebrity chefs, but no one cooks at home any longer; the gourmet health food industry is soaring, yet a longtime love affair with fast food endures. Fascinating. Softcove, 224 pp. $19.95. Back to top

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Last modified March 2, 2008 .