A Square Meal
A Culinary History of the Great Depression
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Narrated by:
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Susan Ericksen
About this listen
The decade-long Great Depression, a period of shifts in the country's political and social landscape, forever changed the way America eats. Before 1929, America's relationship with food was defined by abundance. But the collapse of the economy, in both urban and rural America, left a quarter of all Americans out of work and undernourished - shattering long-held assumptions about the limitlessness of the national larder.
In 1933, as women struggled to feed their families, President Roosevelt reversed long-standing biases toward government-sponsored "food charity". For the first time in American history, the federal government assumed, for a while, responsibility for feeding its citizens. The effects were widespread. Championed by Eleanor Roosevelt, "home economists" who had long fought to bring science into the kitchen rose to national stature. Through the Bureau of Home Economics, these women led a sweeping campaign to instill dietary recommendations, the forerunners of today's Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
At the same time, expanding conglomerates introduced packaged and processed foods, which led to a new American cuisine based on speed and convenience. This movement toward a homogenized national diet sparked a revival of American regional cooking that continues to this day.
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- A Cultural History of Chinese Food in the United States
- By: Andrew Coe
- Narrated by: Eric Martin
- Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1784, passengers on the ship Empress of China became the first Americans to land in China and the first to eat Chinese food. Today there are over 40,000 Chinese restaurants across the United States - by far the most plentiful among all our ethnic eateries. Now, in Chop Suey, Andrew Coe provides the authoritative history of the American infatuation with Chinese food, telling its fascinating story for the first time.
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Wanted to like this
- By Irene on 02-13-21
By: Andrew Coe
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The Big Oyster
- History on the Half Shell
- By: Mark Kurlansky
- Narrated by: John H. Mayer
- Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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Before New York City was the Big Apple, it could have been called the Big Oyster. Now award-winning author Mark Kurlansky tells the remarkable story of New York by following the trajectory of one of its most fascinating inhabitants, the oyster, whose influence on the great metropolis remains unparalleled.
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history of the oyster in America
- By Andy on 01-01-20
By: Mark Kurlansky
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Barbecue
- The History of an American Institution
- By: Robert F. Moss
- Narrated by: David Holloway
- Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Barbecue: The History of an American Institution draws on hundreds of sources to document the evolution of barbecue from its origins among Native Americans to its present status as an icon of American culture. This is the story not just of a dish but of a social institution that helped shape the many regional cultures of the United States.
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Great for those that love BBQ.
- By Austin on 01-02-23
By: Robert F. Moss
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Eight Flavors
- The Untold Story of American Cuisine
- By: Sarah Lohman
- Narrated by: Sarah Lohman
- Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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The United States boasts a culturally and ethnically diverse population which makes for a continually changing culinary landscape. But a young historical gastronomist named Sarah Lohman discovered that American food is united by eight flavors: black pepper, vanilla, curry powder, chili powder, soy sauce, garlic, MSG, and Sriracha. In Eight Flavors, Lohman sets out to explore how these influential ingredients made their way to the American table.
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Great read... Terrible accents
- By S. Macklin on 12-14-18
By: Sarah Lohman
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Milk!
- A 10,000-Year Food Fracas
- By: Mark Kurlansky
- Narrated by: Brian Sutherland
- Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Mark Kurlansky's first global food history since the best-selling Cod and Salt; the fascinating cultural, economic and culinary story of milk and all things dairy - with recipes throughout. According to the Greek creation myth, we are so much spilt milk; a splatter of the goddess Hera's breast milk became our galaxy, the Milky Way.
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Horrible narration nearly kills Kurlansky
- By Scarlatti's Muse on 05-15-18
By: Mark Kurlansky
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Home Fires
- The Story of the Women's Institute in the Second World War
- By: Julie Summers
- Narrated by: Juliet Mills
- Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Away from the frontlines of World War II, in towns and villages across Great Britain, ordinary women were playing a vital role in their country's war effort. As members of the Women's Institute, an organization with a presence in a third of Britain's villages, they ran canteens and knitted garments for troops, collected tons of rosehips and other herbs to replace medicines that couldn't be imported, and advised the government on issues ranging from evacuee housing to children's health to postwar reconstruction. But they are best known for making jam.
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Tread Carefully & Be Amazed
- By Sara on 12-27-15
By: Julie Summers
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The Way We Eat Now
- How the Food Revolution Has Transformed Our Lives, Our Bodies, and Our World
- By: Bee Wilson
- Narrated by: Bee Wilson
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Food is one of life's great joys. So why has eating become such a source of anxiety and confusion? Bee Wilson shows that in two generations the world has undergone a massive shift from traditional, limited diets to more globalized ways of eating, from bubble tea to quinoa, from Soylent to meal kits. Paradoxically, our diets are getting healthier and less healthy at the same time. For some, there has never been a happier food era than today: a time of unusual herbs, farmers' markets, and internet recipe swaps.
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Slow, doesn't get to the point-20% info, 80% fluff
- By DrSarah on 11-13-19
By: Bee Wilson
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Fast Food Nation
- The Dark Side of the All-American Meal
- By: Eric Schlosser
- Narrated by: Rick Adamson
- Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
- Abridged
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To a degree both engrossing and alarming, the story of fast food is the story of postwar America. Fast Food Nation is a groundbreaking work of investigation and cultural history that may change the way America thinks about the way it eats.
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Uncritical alarmist rant
- By Mark Freeman on 12-23-03
By: Eric Schlosser
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Super Sushi Ramen Express
- One Family's Journey Through the Belly of Japan
- By: Michael Booth
- Narrated by: Ralph Lister
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Japan is arguably the preeminent food nation on earth, a Mecca for the world's greatest chefs, with more Michelin stars than any other country. The Japanese go to extraordinary lengths and expense to eat food that is marked both by its exquisite preparation and exotic content. Their creativity, dedication, and courage in the face of dishes such as cod sperm and octopus ice cream is only now beginning to be fully appreciated in the sushi and ramen-saturated West.
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Interesting material that's well-narrated
- By John S. on 11-09-16
By: Michael Booth
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The Kelloggs
- The Battling Brothers of Battle Creek
- By: Howard Markel
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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John Harvey Kellogg was one of America's most beloved physicians; a best-selling author, lecturer, and health-magazine publisher; founder of the Battle Creek Sanitarium; and patron saint of the pursuit of wellness. His youngest brother, Will, was the founder of the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company. In The Kelloggs, Howard Markel tells the sweeping saga of these two extraordinary men, whose lifelong competition and enmity toward one another changed America's notion of health and wellness and who helped change the course of American medicine, nutrition, wellness, and diet.
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Good History, Best for Battle Creek Folks
- By ftmgal on 08-26-18
By: Howard Markel
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Pandora's Lunchbox
- How Processed Food Took Over the American Meal
- By: Melanie Warner
- Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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If a piece of individually wrapped cheese retains its shape, color, and texture for years, what does it say about the food we eat and feed our children? Former New York Times reporter and mother Melanie Warner decided to explore that question when she observed the phenomenon of the indestructible cheese. She began an investigative journey that takes her to research labs, food science departments, and factories around the country. What she discovered provides a rare, eye-opening - and sometimes disturbing - account of what we're really eating.
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Interesting.
- By Dr. Jeff McCombs, DC on 10-01-13
By: Melanie Warner
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What She Ate
- Six Remarkable Women and the Food That Tells Their Stories
- By: Laura Shapiro
- Narrated by: Kimberly Farr, Laura Shapiro
- Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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A beloved culinary historian's short takes on six famous women through the lens of food and cooking - what they ate and how their attitudes toward food offer surprising new insights into their lives. It's a lively and unpredictable array of women; what they have in common with one another (and us) is a powerful relationship with food.
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Interesting, but don't think the book's premise...
- By Jay Quintana on 09-15-17
By: Laura Shapiro
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Interesting material that the narrator dumbs down
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Chop Suey
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In 1784, passengers on the ship Empress of China became the first Americans to land in China and the first to eat Chinese food. Today there are over 40,000 Chinese restaurants across the United States - by far the most plentiful among all our ethnic eateries. Now, in Chop Suey, Andrew Coe provides the authoritative history of the American infatuation with Chinese food, telling its fascinating story for the first time.
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Wanted to like this
- By Irene on 02-13-21
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For centuries, skeptical foreigners - and even millions of Americans - have believed there was no such thing as American cuisine. In recent decades, hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza have been thought to define the nation's palate. Not so, says food historian Paul Freedman, who demonstrates that there is an exuberant and diverse, if not always coherent, American cuisine that reflects the history of the nation itself.
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Outstanding historical analysis
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This enticingly fresh audiobook introduces modern listeners to lost American food traditions and leads them on a tantalizing culinary journey through the evolution of our vibrant cuisine and culture. Covering a hundred different foods from the Native American-era through today and featuring over a dozen recipes and photos, this fascinating history of American food will delight history buffs and food lovers alike.
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Interesting material that the narrator dumbs down
- By Scott on 12-18-14
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Chop Suey
- A Cultural History of Chinese Food in the United States
- By: Andrew Coe
- Narrated by: Eric Martin
- Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
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Overall
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Performance
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In 1784, passengers on the ship Empress of China became the first Americans to land in China and the first to eat Chinese food. Today there are over 40,000 Chinese restaurants across the United States - by far the most plentiful among all our ethnic eateries. Now, in Chop Suey, Andrew Coe provides the authoritative history of the American infatuation with Chinese food, telling its fascinating story for the first time.
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Wanted to like this
- By Irene on 02-13-21
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For centuries, skeptical foreigners - and even millions of Americans - have believed there was no such thing as American cuisine. In recent decades, hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza have been thought to define the nation's palate. Not so, says food historian Paul Freedman, who demonstrates that there is an exuberant and diverse, if not always coherent, American cuisine that reflects the history of the nation itself.
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What listeners say about A Square Meal
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Mariel
- 05-17-17
Incredible Insight into the Birth of US Nutrition
Where does A Square Meal rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This book, though particularly lengthy, never failed to amaze me... It is a glaring example of how looking to the past can help us better understand our present. Understanding the role of nutrition, eating, and the changes in dietary culture in the first half of the 20th century helped me make sense of current attitudes about such topics. I especially appreciated that the author included some culinary histories of urbanites, rural dwellers, and minority groups alike.
What other book might you compare A Square Meal to and why?
Strangely, the only thing that comes to mind is the reading material of my coursework on disability and mainstream attitudes that people must 'earn' or be 'worthy of' handouts, even when economic opportunity is plagued with absence
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
This is the kind of book you nibble away at while cooking and cleaning over the course of weeks. It's relaxing and at times charming
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- Robert
- 06-07-17
Not entirely accurate title
I was expecting more of a culinary history, while I think this turned out to be more of a history of nutrition and the intersection of science, agriculture, and public policy (and how those all don't mix well). There are some personal stories, recipes, and other interesting histories sprinkled throughout. I found it all interesting, but found myself wondering at the end what the "message" was other than some previously unheard history bits.
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3 people found this helpful
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- E.S.
- 12-24-16
Not a Niche Book-- Something for Everyone!
Would you consider the audio edition of A Square Meal to be better than the print version?
For me, the audio version fit what my needs were best and it didn't hurt that one of my two favorite narrators was reading! I like to listen to books while doing daily work but sometimes struggle to pay attention, even if the content of the book is interesting. This book kept me thoroughly absorbed and part of that success rested with it being a well read audio book.
What was one of the most memorable moments of A Square Meal?
Like sneaking vegetables into meatloaf, I got a healthy dose of American food culture hidden in one of my favorite subjects-- history. I was particularly interested in the content covering the NYC bread lines, something I'd never heard of before. Bleak and compelling imagery, to be sure.
What about Susan Ericksen’s performance did you like?
Susan Ericksen has a knack for taking you right into the heart of whatever she is reading. You're not just listening to a story, you are THERE and what a difference it makes. In fact, seeing she was this book's narrator was a big motivator for me to try the sample of Square Meal. I often found myself wondering what she thought of this book, since I'd only ever heard her read the crime dramas of J.D. Robb. Wow! She just never disappoints!
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
The songs and verses of yesteryear shared in this book really drew me in, sometimes choking me up, other times with a laugh. They painted a true picture of the personal hardships felt during the Great Depression and how different people decided to cope with it; some defiantly thumbed their noses while others were swallowed by it.
Any additional comments?
There is seriously something for everyone in this book. Foodies, history buffs, minority studies majors, feminists, health and medical professionals, military enthusiasts, sociologists, anthropologists, and probably a dozen other types of people I can't think of just now will all find something in this book to capture their interest. Square Meal is a really well crafted book and deserves a read at least once!
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1 person found this helpful
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- TiffanyD
- 12-24-16
Great narrator, fascinating history
Where does A Square Meal rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This is one of the better match-ups of reader and book that I've listened to recently.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
She had just enough of a subtle snark here and there to really make listening enjoyable.
Any additional comments?
Really interesting look at the politics of food and poverty relief in between wars. Full of fun factoids ("lambchop and pineapple diet") and tragic realities about the great depression. Also sad because we are still having so many of these same arguments about the place of the federal government vs. private charity in providing life-saving assistance.
The authors do mention racial issues and how they impacted food relief decisions, although I think they could have gone deeper into that area. But overall a fascinating and entertaining read. I did wish there had been an epilogue of sorts--it seemed to end rather suddenly without wrap-up.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amanda M.
- 06-18-18
Amazing information and amazing narrator!
The narrator's voice is very pleasant, her performance is wonderful, and the book is fascinating.
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- J.S.
- 02-15-19
good book, terrible narrator
An interesting subject, but the narrator is dreadful.
Monotonous, and droning, you'll have trouble staying focused on what's being said.
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- Ruby Spinner
- 01-17-21
History of Food Assistance in America
For the first time, I found myself able to listen to a female teach. Teach is the word, because this book takes us through it all. The stingy charity of poor farms, intentionally issuing rations based not only on if a recipient is worthy, but even if allowed, the amount given had to be only just enough to prevent death by starvation. The veteran's marches, the peaceful actions of a starving community going into town to protest the delayed, and refused assistance by the county- and they were then given their allotments.
The worst is knowing women starved to death, and even old men, AND the report indicated a prior illness or a heart attack. But the truth is revealed during WWII, when many men were unfit for service because they had suffered severe malnutrition!
One woman in Manistee County, Michigan, was given a job because she was the only woman with prior social work experience and an education in nutrition. The horror of an investigator showing up unannounced each month, and criticizing a mother for using her food allotments for potatoes and milk rather than cabbage and fresh fruit, which items while nutritionally superior to sugar and white flour, will not satisfy- and the women knew it.
I especially liked the start of the school lunch program. You're going to want to read it a couple times. Hungry children will eat whatever they are given, but, at a time when family was the center pin of society, children would take their food home for younger siblings. This happens today, and we see this, sadly, as a sign of abuse, or neglect, which is a dangerous supposition, especially when dealing with different cultures. Yet we still have a serious culture clash. Teachers who don't understand poverty, who have experienced a missed meal, are not capable of understanding that a mother is very likely to skip meals to provide even another half a cup of rice for her hungry children.
This book is very worth the time. From presidential policy, to the required food given lacking vinegar, or mustard because food that tastes good increases appitite, which leads to overeating, which leads to a full belly, and so consequently those on the county rolls not seeking employment. It speaks of President Coolidge, and his like of simple fare, to Theodore Roosevelt, who had a taste for world cuisine. There is a recipe for carrot pudding, and the start of the government food subsidies, including the tasteless carbohydrate with minimal protein pap like Maltkorno, basically, cooked, mashed cereal with a bit of milk, shoved in a box and given away.
We also learn of government sponsored cooking classes. All very useful.
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- Cheryl
- 05-06-20
Loved it!!
I learned so much about the Great Depression and how utterly long ,bleak and terrible it was! I think it should be required reading,ESPECIALLY for the coddled youth of today
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- the Copywright
- 01-13-19
narrated in a singsong, almost mocking voice. v
narrator tone and pace never changed. sounded like a lecture rather than a tale. very tedious listening. Also, the story jumped back and forth in time and lost any coherent theme.
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