Offering a panoramic view of the history and culture of food and drink in America, with fascinating entries on everything from the smell of asparagus to the history of White Castle, and the origin of Bloody Marys to jambalaya, here is a concise, authoritative, and exuberant look at modern American cuisine.

Robert Paarlberg, one of the most prominent scholars writing on agricultural issues, parses the range of theories behind the food crisis to map out and demystify the range of phenomena that has come to be known as "food politics."

A beautifully written guide to the joys of Italian cuisine, as satisfying as the food it describes

A lavishly illustrated, panoramic account of food and drink in America, with fascinating entries on everything from Hot Dogs to Jambalaya