Vegemite

by Jamie Callister

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction

Paperback

Reviews

[Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much discussion of war and not enough discussion of Vegemite for me :(

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable narration by the grandson of the man who invented Vegemite.
Really steeped in the history of the period from WW1 and during and just after WW2.
Part of the history of that era that I hadn't thought about too much before.
Really enjoyed it and had to eat plenty of Vegemite on buttered toast while listening to it.

[Emmalin Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

listened to the audiobook while i hiked koscuiszko. then finished in bega. very interesting. love australian history

[Kelly Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I listened to it on BorrowBox and thoroughly enjoyed Jamie’s narration of the book.

The book was recommended by the writer’s sister and I am so glad I read it.

There is a fair amount of family history in the book and found that I would love a family tree to look back on. I have heard the book has pictures which I would to see.

I learnt things about Vegemite I didn’t think I would ever know and it brought me to tears in parts as learned about this amazing family and their time spent during both world wars, which has a fairly heavy focus.

Would recommend to anyone interested.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍞 We’re Happy Little Vegemite’s 🎶
Written by Jamie Callister, the grandson of Cyril Callister, the inventor of the infamous Vegemite- this is a gorgeous story which is as Australian as the spread itself.
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Spanning the Victorian gold rush, two world wars, the Great Depression, rivals and failed marketing - it is very interesting to learn the lengthy and interesting road it took for Vegemite to become the favourite icon we know today.
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The audiobook is narrated by Jamie himself- which I love!
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I quite enjoyed listening to this audiobook, and learning about scientist and inventor Cyril, and the journey taken to create Vegemite.

[Crista · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this book isn’t about Vegemite, not really. It’s about the man who invented it and his family, how they got through the wars, how he was a work-a-holic who also made sliced cheese. The details about how he went about what he did are skant, I’m guessing they are trade secrets. It talks about how Vegemite became the Aussie staple but not in huge detail. It’s written by the grandson of the guy who invented it and a lot of personal stuff from family letter is in the book.

Sadly I found it a bit boring. I wanted more Vegemite and less war.

[Dom Burbidge · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Brit living in Australia I really enjoyed listening to this little nugget of modern Australian history around an iconic product. Aside from the race issues that have tarnished recent Australian history this well written memoir was an interesting insight in to how European settlers went about their new lives down under and fought alongside the Empire in the World Wars.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a massive Vegemite fan I'm pleased this audiobook was packed to the brim with history and facts. It did drag a little in the middle with war stories but overall I'm a happy little Vegemite now more than ever.

[Barry Simiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat book on the life of the man and the family that created the iconic spread.

[jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

i love vegemite

[Jo Birkett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too little about Vegemite, too much about saintly uncle Ian. Quite interesting detail about ingredients & long history of failing to launch, creator was an interesting character too.

[Cathy Hine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read it. It was neither inspiring or so,etching I feel the need to recommend to others, but it wasn’t all bad. It was readable, and that is probably enough said about it.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a journey this book takes you on! From the early gold rush days, to bomb making in World War 1, through the great depression, to World War 2 and to modern day.

At it's heart, it's about the birth of Vegemite. The author is the grandson of the Vegemite inventor, the famous and brilliant chemist and food technologist Cyril Callister and the audiobook is narrated by the author himself. It covers a lot of his family tree and the stories that shaped Vegemite becoming what it is today: A proud Aussie icon that Aussies love and that the rest of the world remains generally confused about.

My verdict: I learnt so much and entertained my family with snippets of the book for days (and probably weeks to come).