RSS
Headline RSS FeedBook Review: Crunch! A History of the Great American Potato Chip by Dirk Burhans
January 13, 2009 —
You’ve been practicing.
Ever since the playoffs began, you’ve been working out, making sure you’re in tip-top shape for the Super Bowl. Really, you wouldn’t want to sprain anything doing the high-five. It’s best to warm up before any sort of victory dance or prayer stance on behalf of your favorite team. There’ll be no spotter needed as you raise your finger to point at a funny commercial.
But that hand-to-mouth motion you use during the game? You need lots more practice on that little maneuver. But just to be sure you’re doing things right, read
Legend has it that George Crum, in a fit of anger in 1853, sliced potatoes paper-thin and fried them in response to a complaint from a customer (some say Cornelius Vanderbilt) alleging that Crum’s potatoes weren’t crispy enough. The legend, though, may be a myth: Crum’s sister may have been the original Potato Potentate.
Potatoes themselves have been around for centuries; archaeological evidence shows that they may date back to 11,000 BC. Most species originated in South and Central America, although hardier potato types were found slightly north. In Europe, it’s thought that the potato made its debut via Spain in the late 1500s. Because they were easy to grow, the spud spread.
Early in the last century, most potato chips were manufactured locally and sold from barrels, boxes, or in paper bags. Chips were made slowly and required quick selling lest humidity turn them stale, which could happen within hours. Oil fires in potato chip factories were common.
By the 1930s, all that changed. New technology made it possible to quickly (and more safely) mass-produce potato chips, and later, to seal the bags so they could be transported farther away from the factory. Suddenly, the snack was out of the bag.
Over the years, potato chips have been the object of lawsuits and takeovers, mergers and name-changes. They’ve been influenced by television and have influenced pop-culture. You can get chips in a cylinder, a bag, or a box in plain, baked or ridged, and in lots of flavors including jalapeno, dill pickle, and barbecue. You can buy Goth chips, organic chips, and believe it or not, if party-planning time is running out, you can buy chips online.
Can you pass the bag over here, please?
While “Crunch!” sometimes is a little heavy on local history – particularly, but not entirely, that of the Midwest and Ohio Valley area – it’s basically a very fun book. Author Dirk Burhans says that he wrote this book because he never knew there were so many brands of chips, and he was amazed to find that each chipper made a different-tasting product. His gee-whiz willingness to examine the industry right down to the crumbs is what makes this book such a tasty one.
Before you stuff a handful of crispy goodness in your mouth during the game, read “Crunch!” For fans of potato chips and other gotta-have-it snacks, this book is worth its salt.
Book review: Rich Like Them by Ryan D'Agostino
January 10, 2009 —
The sign said “Open Today!” and you couldn’t resist. So what possessed you to go through a for-sale house that you could never afford?
Curiosity, sure. But maybe it was a little bit of what-iffing that led you to peek into cavernous closets and run your fingers over marble baths, rare-wood mantles, and imported countertops.
What if? What would it be like to live there? To have money like that?
Author Ryan D’Agostino wondered the same thing, and in his new book “Rich Like Them”, (c.2008, Little, Brown, $25.99 / $28.99 Canada, 256 pages) he knocked on a few doors – literally - and asked.
Whenever he and his wife went out of town, Ryan D’Agostino says they made a point of taking walks into luxurious neighborhoods. They loved looking at the immaculate grounds and imagining the lives of those who lived there.
One day, curiosity got the better of D’Agostino, an editor at Esquire magazine. He purchased a list of the 100 wealthiest ZIP codes in the U.S., based on median household income, net worth, and home value. Then, with his trusty reporter’s notebook in his pocket, and comfortable shoes on his feet, he stepped into some of the richest enclaves in America.
Not everyone agreed to speak to him. D’Agostino says he was sometimes met with silence, and security guards often turned him aside. But when he found people who would talk, he learned lessons of a lifetime.
Always – always – keep your eyes on your goal, even when on vacation. Never miss a chance for opportunity. Remember that you have to see the dots to connect them. Follow through with your connections. Understand that there are risks in everything, study the risk before leaping, and know that sometimes doing nothing is a risk itself. Stick to your plans but know when something isn’t working. Never let failure be an option. Remember that you can’t do business with yourself. Work hard, and if you look forward to going to work, that’s even better. Be humble.
What a refreshing business book!
Author Ryan D’Agostino took a simple concept (find people with money and ask them how they got it) and created something that seems like a blueprint for wealth, not only of the monetary kind but of that for the soul.
I was struck by several things here: first, in this wacky world, that D’Agostino found so many people who invited him, a stranger, into their fabulous homes.
Secondly, he often steps aside to let stories speak for themselves. The titles of the mini-chapters practically beg you to read further, and D’Agostino is quick to refresh your memory if he refers to someone from another chapter.
Thirdly, I loved how D’Agostino conveyed a sense of contentment. While almost every one of the subjects in this book admitted to working hard, they all seemed so Zen-like with their lives now. Just reading these stories inspired me.
If you’re ready for a new start in the New Year, pick up this book and get energized. “Rich Like Them” is filled with a wealth of great motivation for you.
Submit a comment on "Book review: Rich Like Them by Ryan D'Agostino"
Best books of 2008
January 7, 2009 — Lucky you.
This holiday, you got a bookstore gift certificate. That means two things: one, that somebody knows you well and knows you love books. And two, you have to get to a bookstore, pronto!
So many books, so little time, right? To make it easy, here are my Top Fifteen Picks, the books you can’t miss, have to read, shouldn’t pass up. Of the over-300 books I read in 2008, these are the cream of the crop…
NONFICTION: Top Five
“Assisted Loving” by Bob Morris. When Morris’ mother dies, his father goes on a dating rampage and drags his son along by pushing Morris to find True Love. This book made me laugh and there was a passage that still brings me to tears when I think about it. It’s a great read for anyone who has a parent who’s experimenting anew with the dating pool or anyone who’s looking for love in all the wrong places.
“Deconstructing Sammy” by Matt Birkbeck. This bio is a fascinating look at singer Sammy Davis, Jr., his widow, and the man who took on the project of untangling the mess that was Davis’ estate. I enjoyed this book because it’s a peek at stardom gone wrong, a story of obsession and responsibility, and a nostalgic trip back in time for anyone who remembers the Rat Pack days.
“Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell . What makes success? This book will tell you how to spot it in typical Gladwell style. From Mozart concerto to Beatles concert, you’ll see how genius and opportunity meet to make a phenom. This is one of those fascinating, quick-to-read books that will make you think long after you shut the cover.
“La Clinica” by David P. Sklar. This book surprised me because I wasn’t looking to like it as much as I did. Sklar’s multi-level book is his look back at time spent volunteering at a Mexican free clinic run by a man with several secrets. The back-and-forth to then and now moves this true story along and reading it is like exploring a cave: there’s something unexpected and wonderful in every little cranny.
“Breakfast at Sally’s” by Richard LeMieux. I was only going to browse this book when I first picked it up but by page 4, I couldn’t leave it alone. When LeMieux, who is successful and wealthy, goes bankrupt and insolvent and loses his home, he hits the streets with his dog to live in a van. “Breakfast” is one of those books you have to read, particularly in this economy. It will make you thankful for every single thing –and person – in your life.
FICTION: Top Five
“After River” by Donna Milner. When a young Canadian girl’s mother hires an American draft dodger to work on their farm, it causes turmoil in the entire family that resonates for years. This debut novel is beautifully written; one of those curl-up-on-the-sofa books to savor.
“Cake” by D. Conversely, this book is NOT for everyone. It will curl Grandma’s hair with the language and violence, but I raced through it in an hour. “Cake” is a page-turning story about a man who reluctantly gets involved in a drug deal gone bad, even though he’s desperately trying to live straight. It’s hip, urban, and with an ending that will make you scream. Again, it’s not for everybody – there are things in here that aren’t “nice” - but I loved, loved, loved this book.
“A Mercy” by Toni Morrison. Vintage Morrison – only better – this book is about three slave women and the ailing mistress they’re trying to save. Layer by layer, Morrison lets the women tell their tale of brutality, fear, and love. “A Mercy” is a skinny book that starts out a bit odd, but stick with it. You’ll want to turn around and read it all over again when you’re done.
“The Right Mistake” by Walter Mosley. This is another one of those “make you think” books. It’s about a former convict who wants to turn his community around, and he employs friends, family, and thinkers to help him. Mosley’s Socrates Fortlow (the main character) is the consummate philosopher, and this book is perfect for when you want a little more than a novel.
“Tan Lines” by JJ Salem. Okay. So you’ll never see this book on any best-seller list, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. You’ll get scandal, snarkiness, and a great murder mystery in a beach-house deadly romp of a novel here, which makes it pure fluff and pure fun, all wrapped up in one.
CHILDREN’S: Top Five
“Bad Kitty Gets a Bath” by Nick Bruel. Cat lovers of all ages will want to pounce on this book about how to give a cat a bath. Not only will the story make you laugh, but the drawings are hilarious. Obviously written for kids ages 7-12, this is also a great book for anyone who’s ever (foolishly) tried to toss kitty in the tub.
“Pete & Pickles” by Berkeley Breathed. A pig with a predictable life meets an escaped circus elephant who messes with things in this charming, adorable book with illustrations that adults will love as much as the kids will love the story. Get this book, read it to your Resident Toddlers, put the kids to bed and go read it again for yourself.
“You’re a Bad Man, Mr. Gum” by Andy Stanton. Don’t buy this book. Seriously. Buy “Mr. Gum” in audio because it’s much, much better when read by the author. The audio is only a couple hours long, and I had to stop what I was doing when I was listening to it because I was laughing too hard. This is fun for kids 7-and-up, and fun for you, too.
“See How They Run” by Susan E. Goodman and Elwood H. Smith. It doesn’t have to be an election year for kids to be interested in politics, and this book makes Washington goings-on easy to understand. This is one of those “adults should read it, too” books, but it’s really perfect for kids 9-and-up.
“Science on the Loose” by Helaine Becker. Again, this isn’t going to be on any bestseller list, but it’s a great book. Kids will learn about their bodies and the world around them through silly cartoons and fun activities. Perfect for kids 8-to-12, it lets them learn something useful without making them feel like they’re learning.
And there you are: fifteen can’t-miss, gotta-buy-it books for you to use with your gift certificate. If you’ve already read these, ask your bookseller for ideas; he or she has dozens of favorites to talk about.
So what are you waiting for? Get out of here. Go. That gift certificate isn’t getting any newer, you know.
Happy reading!
Submit a comment on "Best books of 2008"
Photo courtesy of University of New Mexico Press
Book Review: "La Clinica: A Doctor's Journey Across Borders"
December 8, 2008 —
It happened again the other day, and you could just kick yourself.
Somebody was looking for volunteers for something, and you – without careful consideration and though you’re short on time and already overloaded – you raised your hand.
Oh, well. Where would we be without community members who affect change, often anonymously, and never get paid for it?
Who volunteers? Can we see a show of hands?
David P. Sklar did. Just before entering medical school, he volunteered to work at a small clinic in the Sierra Madre of Mexico, serving poor farmers who had little. In the new book “La Clínica: A Doctor’s Journey Across Borders” (David P. Sklar c.2008, University of New Mexico Press $26.95 234 pages), you’ll see that the clinic changed that village and changed his life.
David Sklar’s marriage was breaking up. As his wife moved out of their house and into a nearby apartment, and as pictures disappeared from walls and dishes from shelves, Sklar, who was an exhausted, overextended attending physician at a busy Albuquerque emergency room, came across a photo album…
Sklar wanted to be a rabbi when he was a child, but his grandfather told him that doctors made more money. Years later, just before starting school at Stanford, Sklar realized that he didn’t want to make money. It was just after the Vietnam War and the King and Kennedy assassinations, not long after the idealistic 1960s, and Sklar wanted to make a difference.
He’d once read an article about La Clinica, a free clinic for poor Mexican farmers that was established by medical missionary Carl Wilson. Wilson’s infirmary operated entirely on donations, and he gave the villagers basic medical care that they otherwise could not get. Sklar tracked Wilson down, made a small monetary contribution, then volunteered his time.
La Clínica was staffed by locals and run by Wilson, who’d attained nearly God-like status in the villagers’ eyes. Much of the diagnosing was done by reading a book, and treatment was often the “try this and if it doesn’t work, try that” method. Payment came in the form of food or work. When people died, it was often in pain.
Sklar learned much during his tenure at La Clínica. He also learned that Carl Wilson had a secret that would re-surface again and again in Wilson’s life.
If author David P. Sklar ever decides that his medical career isn’t working out anymore, he always has another option: Sklar is a darn fine writer.
While “La Clínica” is a true story, it often reads like a creepy suspense novel. Sklar’s cast of characters will make you smile and some will nearly bring you to tears, but others are so unsettling that you’ll squirm as you read. Sklar’s story moves easily between his life in New Mexico and his past in Mexico, giving readers a peek inside two similar-but-different worlds. This book is easy to read and hard to put down.
Pick up a copy of “La Clínica” and enjoy. For fans of “medical stories” or anyone who loves a good biography, this is a book to get your hands on.
Submit a comment on "Book Review: "La Clinica: A Doctor's Journey Across Borders""
Next
