A Taste for War: The Culinary History of the Blue and the Gray

by William C. Davis

"[Hardtack was] positively unsuitable fodder for anything that claims to be human...and I think it no exaggeration to say that any intelligent pig possessing the least spark of pride would have considered it a pure insult to have them put into his swill." (Wilbur Fisk, Civil War soldier). We know the uniforms they wore, the weapons they carried, and the battles they fought, but what did they eat and, of even greater curiosity, was it any good? Now, for the very first time, the food that fueled the armies of the North and the South and the soldiers' opinions of it--ranging from the sublime to just slime--is front and center in a biting, fascinating look at the Civil War as written by one of its most respected historians. There's even a comprehensive "cookbook" of actual recipes included for those intrepid enough to try a taste of the Civil War.

Genres: Civil War, History, Food, Cookbooks, Cooking, American Civil War

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Currently professor of history at Virginia Tech, William C. Davis has written over fifty books, most about the American Civil War. He has won the Jefferson Davis Prize for southern history three times, the Jules F. Landry Award for Southern history once, and has been twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

For several years, he was the editor of the magazine Civil War Times Illustrated. He has also served as a consultant on the A&E television series Civil War Journal.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an interesting read for those not familiar with the subject but for the real student of Civil War life, you've probably read the majority or the source documents already, so you won't find much new information here. The recipes are period correct but many would not have been used by the soldiers due to lack of ingredients, equipment, or time if they were on campaign.

If you don't already own copies of some of the source documents (such as "Hard Tack and Coffee" or "The Army Ration") this would make a good one-stop reference for your library.

[Sal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic social history. How the two Armies tried-and often failed-to feed themselves.

[Dave Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good read for a beginning reader on the Civil War, this book does not not offer anything new two those who are well read in other Civil War book, especially memiors and letters.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and educational. Offers an inside look at the scanty, un-nutricious, moldy, spoiled, disgusting meals soldiers ate. Even gives "receipts" so you can try your own!

[Manray9 · Rating 2 out of 5]

A look into an interesting subject, but the book was dull.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

I upgraded my rating on this, I was annoyed by the small typeset, but I enjoyed the read. I will probably try a few of the receipts in the book, I enjoy tasting the past in this way.