Apple Pie

by John T. Edge

What could be a more fun and delicious way to celebrate American culture than through the lore of our favorite foods? That's what John T. Edge does in his smart, witty, and compulsively readable new series on the dishes everyone thinks their mom made best. If these are the best-loved American foods-ones so popular they've come to represent us-what does that tell us about ourselves? And what do the history of the dish and the regional variations reveal?

There are few aspects of life that carry more emotional weight and symbolism than food, and in writing about our food icons, Edge gives us a warm and wonderful portrait of America -by way of our taste buds. After all, "What is patriotism, but nostalgia for the foods of our youth?" as a Chinese philosopher once asked.

Genres: Food, Cookbooks, Nonfiction, History, Cooking, Travel, American History

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

John T. Edge writes and hosts the Emmy Award–winning television show TrueSouth on the SEC Network, ESPN, Disney, and Hulu. Edge also writes a restaurant column for Garden & Gun. His 2017 book, The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South, was named one of the best books of the year by NPR and Publishers Weekly. Edge serves the University of Mississippi as a teacher, writer-in-residence, and director of the Mississippi Lab. And he serves the University of Georgia as a mentor in their low-residency MFA program in narrative nonfiction. He lives in Oxford, Mississippi, with his wife, the artist Blair Hobbs.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in Edge's series about food. The first was about Fried Chicken. And I do think this second book was written better. And I'm not even a pie fan, but I found the information contained within to be interesting.

Apple Pie is definitely considered all American. There are so many variations from crumb toppings, to mock apple pie, to a flaky crust that everybody believes they do it the right way. In this book, Edge goes around the country trying out different versions of the pie and meeting the people that make them. Sadly, most of the pies he tries are not up to par, but there are a rare few that stand out and make his trips worthwhile. He also explores some of the history behind the pies and even presidents that had a fondness for the apple variety.

He meets some interesting people in his journeys. Especially the ladies that make the fried pies, they have some unique, albeit sad, stories about how they first started making pies. And then there's the guy who adds chilies to his pies. I thought he was interesting and had a fantastic idea. One I'd like to try out myself if I could only make a decent crust. And Edge himself is a charming narrator. He has a lot of belief and love of food and keeps trying even if he does run in to some not so tasty renditions of pie.

This book flowed a little better than the first book did. The chapters were slightly longer and allowed for a more in-depth look at the places he was exploring and the type of pie that was being produced. It also allowed more time for interviewing the people and relating a bit of history as well. I still would have liked to see more about the food itself. He covered the history very well, and even included a few recipes, but this was a very fast read and I think a lot more could have been added.

This book hasn't quite made me a pie convert, but I do want to try the green chili apple pie now and will have to hold on to the recipe from this book. I think anyone who appreciates the history of food would probably enjoy reading this book, or really any from the series.

Apple Pie: An American Story
Copyright 2004
162 pages

Review by M. Reynard 2013

More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com

[Zach Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised to like this as much as I did. It's size makes it look like a lark, potentially unserious and a little too NPR humor sort of thing - I think you know what I mean.

It leans that way, but Edge did his research and his traveling, and it really shows in how much information is crammed into this little book. This is not a cutesy personal journey, it's actually informative. I especially loved learning about boiled cider and cheddar cheese on apple pie, two things I was unaware of even as a New Englander interested in these sorts of things. Perhaps it was because I'm not a dessert person and specifically don't care much for apple pie.

But I suppose I'll give it another go now. An Apple Pie shake for breakfast sounds quite good.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

any review of a cookbook ends w/an obvious question, Do i want to try the food written about? this book is okay, some of the recipes looks good, i finished reading it a couple days ago and don't remember any of them. right afterwards i went to the farmer's market bought some grapes, chocolate challah and oatmeal cookies, no apples.

i'll pass it on to a friend that enjoys baking and see if she likes it.

[T. Jacobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are times when this book is asking all the right questions, and there are times when it goes nowhere. It explores the myth, but never quite comes to a conclusion. Maybe I hoped for more. However, there are some lovely recipes within it that I am going to try. 🤞

[Ashley Beardsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge's book is my first stop in a search for the beginning of the phrase "as American as apple pie." Though I think I have more questions than answers, it was a good first stop.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t have the words for my fondness for apple pie, though, until I read John Edge’s wonderful book Apple Pie. In it, he undertakes the quest for “true” apple pie, “real” apple pie, apple pie that isn’t a can of pie filling in a thawed crust. It’s a journey that inspired me and that made me realize that, deep inside, I have a desire to learn to make a pie crust. He writes with humor, but make no mistake: this is a man on a mission - and an important one at that!

Did I mention it’s a short book and that it includes recipes? They’re recipes I think even I can follow, though I’m not going to attempt a crust without first going through some lessons with two of the great pie-crust-bakers I know.

I’d tell you to go to the library and get a copy, try it out, except that you might find, as I did, that not only will you drool all over the pages, but you won’t be able to cook with it because of your propensity to drip and dribble and make the pages stick together.

My full review is at my blog.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a totally delightful, quick read on one of my favorite topics in the world. It was the perfect length (I feel like many books of this nature get in a little too deep) with quaint anecdotes with the perfect combination of technique and historical background. I totally recommend it and can't wait to try some of the recipes, particularly FRIED PIE!

Oh, and how could I forget, he also discusses PIE FOR BREAKFAST!

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read, but not as exciting as fried chicken. Mr. Edge seems to have lost a little bit of wonder between books one and two, or apple pie just doesn't excite him as viscerally as fried chicken does. He seems to approach the subject from a much more academic bent. Still very enjoyable, and a quick read, to boot!

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I have read too much about pie? This was kinda dull, sorry to say. On the plus side, I DID crave pie the entire time I was reading. On the negative, I was really counting the pages to the end. And there weren't many.

[Rick Segers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one a four part series of books on uniquely American foods written by John Edge of the Southern Foodways Alliance. these are great books for foodies of course but also for fans of the particular foods. All feature great background and recipes.

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as good this time as when I first read it. John T. Edge did a nice job of talking about apple pie as an American food and surveying the food scene via pie makers across the country. A little book but a gem.

[Rose Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some good recipes in here. I checked this book out of the library, and I will check it out again in the autumn when I siwtch into high pie-baking gear. Oh, there is also a recipe for an apple pie shake that sounds wonderful!

[Abby Reisner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The prose was a bit too wordy for me at times. It didn't match up with the "simplicity" of apple pie. That being said, it was cool to hear about some regional and micro-regional variations on a classic dish.

[Erin Dion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful! A fast, and extremely easy read that covers a lot of information, both technical and historical, about pie. If you love some pie...go for this one!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little book about delicious pies across the country. Be wary of the American Pie Council.

[Minneapolani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admittedly worship at the altar of John T. Edge. The guy sounds like Huckleberry Hound, but has some of the most interesting things to say during his exploration of what American food really is.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

an enjoyable read that will leave you craving dessert!

[Melissa ♥♫ · Rating 3 out of 5]

had to read it for a book report :(

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had promise, but just not that good.