SPAM: A Biography: The Amazing True Story of America's "Miracle Meat!"

by Carolyn Wyman

A fascinating foray into the world of the strange pink meat in a can covers every aspect of the all-American, all-pork product, from its role in history to the famous Monty Python skit and poetry from the Spam Haiku Archive, and is accompanied by mouth-watering recipes. Original. 50,000 first printing. Tour.

Genres: History, Food, Nonfiction, Cookbooks

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1999

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This certainly has a plethora of fun facts about Spam's history. However, I dislike the presentation layout. It reads like a magazine, with Spam recipes and tangents spliced between longer subjects. I found it distracting, though that's preference since I dislike magazines in general.

[Susan's Sweat Smells Like Literature · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and informative and entertaining, but a little too much of a muchness. I felt like the soldiers in WWII who were served Spam for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The recipes veered wildly between inventive and revolting. Also, did I overlook the supposed sublime connection between poi and Spam? The legend is that separately, they're fairly meh, together, magic. Alchemy. I don't think Wyman covered that in her meaty retrospective.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a book about ... SPAM one of America's favorite tinned meat, I think ? I'm doubting if it is America's favorite tinned meat and/or if it's even meat. No, it's real meat from the pork shoulder, at least that's what they say ? I, personally like SPAM. It's great as a breakfast ( diced bell pepper, onions and SPAM ) with scrambled eggs - delish. Just a history filled with facts, tidbits ( no pun intended ), about this pork product.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you already love Spam or have never tried it this is an outstanding compilation of the history of this delicious treat! Extremely interesting presentation of how this canned meat phenomenon came to grace our grocery store shelves and who made it happen. Told in almost a 'graphic novel' format you can take small bites of this read and be satisfied! Highly recommend for both Spam aficionados and neophytes-you won't be disappointed !

[Koren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book at the library when I needed a book with food on the cover for a challenge. I live about an hour away from the Spam museum in Austin, Minnesota and have never been there. I'm going to put that on my bucket list. I was surprised that the museum was mentioned in the book but not much more about it. Anyway, I like Spam and some of the trivia was interesting. I think you would get much more out of the museum if you read the history of Spam before you go.

[Eddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A casual read into the not only the history and making of the Spam, but also its influence in culture worldwide.

Carolyn puts in her best with sources from the Hormel company, as well as anecdotes and media clippings to demonstrate just how influential spam had become to the everyday people in this world.

[Katharine Grubb · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s really dated. Fun info but a revision would be great.

[Kitap Yakıcı · Rating 2 out of 5]

Random thoughts about this book in lieu of a review:

This book came out at the time my wife and I were working at an independent bookstore in San Francisco. I found the recipe for Spam cheesecake in here and made it to bring to my then-new job at Lonely Planet Publications. Despite the cheesecake, they did not immediately terminate my employment.

One of my favorite comfort foods is the Korean dish budae jjigae. (I'm not sure how Korean food became one of my comfort foods, but it has.) It usually includes Spam among its ingredients, along with hot dogs, bacon, and other USAmerican meat food products. Spam plus kim chee plus gochujang plus rich cakes plus broth equals pure bliss.

Who knew Spam had such a storied history?


Or that so many people around the world share our love-hate relationship with this perpetually pink processed porcine pâté?



Spam is cooked in the can, which means it can be eaten cold without any fear of getting worms. (Told you so, Mom.)

You can also use it as a video game remote.


Because the British had to eat pounds of Spam during WWII, Monty Python made their famous Spam sketch.

Which lead inevitably to this.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually a pretty good cook. Spam has more history then you would probably believe and it's a very interesting read. Spam is not only a pop icon, but a multicultural food with historical significance. Who knew??

[Kbg503 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might as well have this book in the stack of cookbooks and food histories of Hawaii.

Have you got anything without Spam in it?

Well, Spam, egg, sausage, and Spam. That's not got much Spam in it.

[Petra had camel milk but passed on mare's milk! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite funny, spam has a more interesting history than you would think.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yup. I'm a dork.