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A review by lambsears
National Dish: Around the World in Search of Food, History, and the Meaning of Home by Anya von Bremzen
4.0
Once again - I wish I could grade up by 1/2 star.
I thoroughly enjoyed this examination of the national dishes of several countries, where they originated, and the politicisation of them.
Anya von Bremzen's approach has been rigorous and thorough, and the personal touch she brings to each city/region adds colour and life to the history of these dishes.
Unlike an earlier review, I don't think she needed to unpick every political situation that led to her end points in any great detail - that would have been a very different book indeed, and she was never going to please all of the people, all of the time.
My only gripe (and it's a small one) was her assumption that her reader is familiar with all aspects of each culinary tradition. A thorough knowledge of Mexican food traditions is not something I have, living here in Australia. Still, that's what Google is for.
I must make special note of the bibliography, which is utterly splendid.
This is definitely a book for the serious food student - loved it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this examination of the national dishes of several countries, where they originated, and the politicisation of them.
Anya von Bremzen's approach has been rigorous and thorough, and the personal touch she brings to each city/region adds colour and life to the history of these dishes.
Unlike an earlier review, I don't think she needed to unpick every political situation that led to her end points in any great detail - that would have been a very different book indeed, and she was never going to please all of the people, all of the time.
My only gripe (and it's a small one) was her assumption that her reader is familiar with all aspects of each culinary tradition. A thorough knowledge of Mexican food traditions is not something I have, living here in Australia. Still, that's what Google is for.
I must make special note of the bibliography, which is utterly splendid.
This is definitely a book for the serious food student - loved it.