Barbecue
The History of an American Institution
Published on 21. August 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-8173-5935-5 (ISBN)
Description
The history of barbecue in the United States has until now remained virtually untold. Barbecue has a long, rich history-a history that formerly could be found only through scattered references in old letters, journals, newspapers, diaries, and travel narratives until this book was written.
Americans enjoy reading about barbecue almost as much as they love eating it. Books on the subject cover almost every aspect of the topic: recipes, grilling tips, restaurant guides, pit-building instructions, and catalogs of exotic variants such as Mongolian barbecue and Indian tandoor cooking. Despite this coverage, the history of barbecue in the United States has until now remained virtually untold.
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. The history begins with British colonists' adoption of barbecuing techniques from Native Americans in the 16th and 17th centuries, moves to barbecue's establishment as the preeminent form of public celebration in the 19th century, and is carried through to barbecue's iconic status today.
From the very beginning, barbecues were powerful social magnets, drawing together people from a wide range of classes and geographic backgrounds. Barbecue played a key role in three centuries of American history, both reflecting and influencing the direction of an evolving society. By tracing the story of barbecue from its origins to today, Barbecue: The History of an American Institution traces the very thread of American social history.
Americans enjoy reading about barbecue almost as much as they love eating it. Books on the subject cover almost every aspect of the topic: recipes, grilling tips, restaurant guides, pit-building instructions, and catalogs of exotic variants such as Mongolian barbecue and Indian tandoor cooking. Despite this coverage, the history of barbecue in the United States has until now remained virtually untold.
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. The history begins with British colonists' adoption of barbecuing techniques from Native Americans in the 16th and 17th centuries, moves to barbecue's establishment as the preeminent form of public celebration in the 19th century, and is carried through to barbecue's iconic status today.
From the very beginning, barbecues were powerful social magnets, drawing together people from a wide range of classes and geographic backgrounds. Barbecue played a key role in three centuries of American history, both reflecting and influencing the direction of an evolving society. By tracing the story of barbecue from its origins to today, Barbecue: The History of an American Institution traces the very thread of American social history.
Reviews / Votes
In recent years, there has been an abundance of books detailing the history of American regional foodstuffs from apple pie to fried chicken, but few writers have tackled one of the most singular American food traditions: barbecue. Author/food historian Moss takes up this challenge in his engaging history of barbecue from its origins in colonial America to the development of regional styles and barbecue restaurant culture. In the early chapters, Moss describes the impact of barbecue on American politics in the South and the Midwest, the role of the Civil War on barbecue and its place in African American food culture, and the rise of ""barbecue men"" in the late-19th century. The last half of the book details the different regional styles of barbecue that grew out of the barbecue restaurant boom of the mid-20th century and the rebirth of barbecue restaurants today. This is an engaging work suitable for public and academic libraries with large food history collections. Summing Up: Recommended."" - CHOICE""Moss is a food historian and freelance writer from the Charleston, S.C., area who spent 10 years bringing this book from the roots of its research to press. I'm glad to say that it was time well spent. If you enjoy reading about barbecue history, then this book is a must-read for you. What sets this book apart is what you discover in this book that you don't find in many other places. I really enjoyed the new perspectives that Moss has brought forward. This is a book you'll want to pick up soon."" - National Barbecue News
""Moss knows more about the history of barbecue than anyone I've yet encountered, and nothing like this book has ever before been published. To his great credit, he treats his subject seriously but not solemnly. Barbecue is simply a lot of fun to read about. At least it is in Moss's hands. He has some good stories to tell, and he tells them well. I love it that aristocrats of the South Carolina low country established private clubs where gentlemen could eat 'cue without having to mingle with the hoi polloi. Who knew that barbecue once flourished in New England?"" - John Shelton Reed, coauthor of Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue
""Amazing as it seems, in all the welter of barbecue books extant, there is not a single one that comes close to recording this history. The effort has been long overdue, but here it is, finally, and it fills some huge gaps in the long and colorful story of this food tradition. I venture to guess that if the word gets around that a real social history of barbecue is on the market, it will stir up some genuine interest among the tens of thousands of Americans who love this subject. It's truly the first comprehensive history of American barbecue."" - John Egerton, author of Southern Food: At Home, on the Road, in History
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Alabama
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
62 black & white figures
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 178 mm
Weight
542 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8173-5935-5 (9780817359355)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Robert F. Moss is a food-and-drinks writer and culinary historian living in Charleston, South Carolina. He is the Contributing Barbecue Editor for Southern Living, the Southern Food Correspondent for Serious Eats, and, with Hanna Raskin of the Post and Courier, the cohost of "The Winnow," a podcast about dining in the South.
Content
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 Barbecue in Colonial America
2 Barbecue and the Early Republic
3 The Barbecue Comes of Age
4 Barbecue and the Civil War
5 Barbecue, Reconstruction, and the Gilded Age
6 The Rise of Barbecue Restaurants
7 Barbecue Finds the Backyard
8 The Golden Age of Barbecue
9 The Decline and Rebirth of American Barbecue
Notes
References
Index
Introduction
1 Barbecue in Colonial America
2 Barbecue and the Early Republic
3 The Barbecue Comes of Age
4 Barbecue and the Civil War
5 Barbecue, Reconstruction, and the Gilded Age
6 The Rise of Barbecue Restaurants
7 Barbecue Finds the Backyard
8 The Golden Age of Barbecue
9 The Decline and Rebirth of American Barbecue
Notes
References
Index