Smokestack Lightning: Adventures in the Heart of Barbecue Country

by Eric Lolis Elie, Frank Stewart (Photographer)

It was while eating a big ol’ plate of steaming ribs that journalist Lolis Eric Elie and photographer Frank Stewart decided to traverse the country to investigate America’s obsession with smoked meat. Their quest took them from all-night barbecue binges on Chicago’s south side to barbecue competition circuit events like Memphis in May and Big Pig Jig in Vienna, Georgia, where people drop thousands of dollars to spend a sleepless night smoking meat. In SMOKESTACK LIGHTNING, Elie and Stewart profile the down-home devotees of the barbecue world, painting an anthropological portrait of one of our nation’s favorite pastimes. Featuring 50 mouthwatering recipes for such meats, sauces, and side dishes as Oklahoma Joe’s Brew-B-Q Ribs, Moonlight Mutton Dip, and Lady Causey’s Overnight Cabbage Slaw, SMOKESTACK LIGHTNING is a unique culinary chronicle that’ll make your stomach rumble.

Genres: Food, Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Travel

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1996

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The history of bbq with some recipes sprinkled in at the end. Not my favorite book because I feel like it promotes a very old image of what bbq is. I get bbq started off for the poor and in some of the more rural areas in the country, but it's sense elevated itself to a high culinary level and I feel like this book was trying to be intentionally gritty with its choices.

[Austin Banach · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun barbecue adventure of two friends touring the south of its food, people, history and traditions. Reviews a lot of iconic barbecue joints and lesser known ones as well with honesty.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably only of interest if you're a foodie. Sort of a combo of the Road Food book and Garrison Keillor, explains how the different barbeque styles/regions came about, but also focuses on legendary characters in the world of ’que, and some random, interesting folk, too.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look into how BBQ is intertwined into American culture. It does lean more to a certain generation and time, and shown in one point of view, but a good read for those who love cooking true BBQ.

[Katie]

Mmm... delicious so far...

[Obadiah Eaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really fun read, but mostly for those already interested in the subject (or those who are very hungry). It's really about the culture of barbecue more than the food.

[Lori Korleski]

Fabulous road trip through my favorite country with my favorite kinds of meat.