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Humble Pie: Musings on What Lies Beneath the Crust
In America, pie is a food--and a concept--that carries unusual resonance. In Humble Pie , Anne Dimock offers a delightful combination of memoir, pie quotes, inspiration, recipes, travel writing, and assorted philosophical, cultural, and culinary musings on this powerful yet humble dessert.
Anne Dimock grew up in a household where, she notes, "A dearth of good pie was a hardship I never encountered, never knew must be borne up by most folk." When she realized that the decline of the American pie civilization might be a harbinger of even deeper cultural problems, Anne became a woman on a mission to save pie from extinction.
Dimock shares her thoughts on the Zen of making pie crust, the politics of pie, judging a man's character according to his pie protocol, state fair pie competitions, the kinship between pie and baseball, and the search for edible pie at roadside diners.
Folksy and full of humor, Humble Pie is more than just an evocative journey through a life lived in pie. It is a culinary manifesto for a pie renaissance, inviting readers to take up their rolling pins and revive an endangered slice of American culture. Dimock advises us all to "Roll back the apprehension, the doubt, and enter the childlike state of grace where all things are possible and anything lost can be found again. The pie you seek resides not only in memory and imagination--your next piece of pie begins right here."
Anne Dimock grew up in a household where, she notes, "A dearth of good pie was a hardship I never encountered, never knew must be borne up by most folk." When she realized that the decline of the American pie civilization might be a harbinger of even deeper cultural problems, Anne became a woman on a mission to save pie from extinction.
Dimock shares her thoughts on the Zen of making pie crust, the politics of pie, judging a man's character according to his pie protocol, state fair pie competitions, the kinship between pie and baseball, and the search for edible pie at roadside diners.
Folksy and full of humor, Humble Pie is more than just an evocative journey through a life lived in pie. It is a culinary manifesto for a pie renaissance, inviting readers to take up their rolling pins and revive an endangered slice of American culture. Dimock advises us all to "Roll back the apprehension, the doubt, and enter the childlike state of grace where all things are possible and anything lost can be found again. The pie you seek resides not only in memory and imagination--your next piece of pie begins right here."
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 31, 2010
A must-read for pie-eaters and esp. pie-makers. Very quick with lots of great thoughts on WHY pie is so important. I couldn't agree more!
February 21, 2023
My mom gave me this after her sister gave it to her. I've just started baking and made my first pie a few months ago, so the subject is timely.
Anne's writing is clear but over the top trying to be funny. I found it best to read in small doses so the overblown "funny" metaphors weren't overwhelming. Other than that, a fun and fast read.
Anne's writing is clear but over the top trying to be funny. I found it best to read in small doses so the overblown "funny" metaphors weren't overwhelming. Other than that, a fun and fast read.
June 12, 2024
Good intro into the world of pies. I enjoyed the musings on pies, relationships, gender, etc.
I now have a better idea of what makes a good pie and am craving a rhubarb pie, but sadly am unable to apply this knowledge nor satisfy this craving.
I now have a better idea of what makes a good pie and am craving a rhubarb pie, but sadly am unable to apply this knowledge nor satisfy this craving.
May 17, 2010
Hard not to like a woman who clearly states, "I do not make shy pies."
She tells of an apple variety (Golden Russet) that doesn't taste like anything special when first picked, needing a period of cold storage to "coax its glories out."
I'm into anybody and anything that is a glory coaxer.
I spent a Sunday morning, sitting on my front porch, listening to the birds and reading this book. It was a perfect morning. Add to the mix that I received this book as a Mother's Day present (thank you Danika), all I can say is, "It doesn't get much better than this," unless of course, I was also eating pie for breakfast, a practice heartily endorsed by the author.
She tells of an apple variety (Golden Russet) that doesn't taste like anything special when first picked, needing a period of cold storage to "coax its glories out."
I'm into anybody and anything that is a glory coaxer.
I spent a Sunday morning, sitting on my front porch, listening to the birds and reading this book. It was a perfect morning. Add to the mix that I received this book as a Mother's Day present (thank you Danika), all I can say is, "It doesn't get much better than this," unless of course, I was also eating pie for breakfast, a practice heartily endorsed by the author.
January 6, 2016
This is a combination of memoir and recipe book. The author discusses her connection to pie through her mother and grandmother and details her favorite pies. She also talks about the culture surrounding pie, from family tradition, the different frames of thought on pie (whether or not non-fruit, single crust pies are “true” pies or not), to county fairs and baking competitions. Interspersed in the chapters are musings on road trip diners and the loss of the homemade pie in these roadside stops. This is a short, but amusing take on the subject with a few poignant moments within the narrative.
December 6, 2009
Don't bother, unless you really, really, really, really love pie making. I was hoping for some kind of insight and a sort of 'the zen of pie'. She tried, but I never felt like I could relate. It wasn't bad. You just don't really get anything out of it. Though I do plan on trying one of the recipes (which there were very few of).
January 7, 2011
really cute book if you love to bake pies (like i do!) or love to dream about being a pie baker :) she has some really clever ideas--like that a type of pie will "call" to you in your 30's (apple, pecan, etc) and that whatever pie calls to you says something about your personality. very enjoyable with lots of baking tips i want to try, too!
June 1, 2007
A bit too precious at times but the stories are entertaining and the recipes are fabulous. The author obviously respects and reveres pie and she'll show you how to enjoy it yourself, even if you never bake one.
December 8, 2010
This was a great read, entertaining and inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about why this woman loved pie and what inspired her to make pies. Because of this book, I have been inspired to make pies, when it was something I thought for sure was not going to be my thing.
August 7, 2012
could not get through this. Once she started with the "how to tell what type of man he is by the way he eats his pie" I decided making myself angry at a book before bedtime was probably not the best idea.
June 1, 2012
I LOVE PIE, AND I LOVE HUMAN BEINGS, and maybe Anne Dimock's story is worth telling as much as anybody's, but just being a human being in the world is not enough of a reason to publish a book about your life, in my opinion. I wanted to just love this book but I'm bored to death reading it. :(
January 25, 2013
Found this one on the shelf at work and thought I'd give it a try mainly on the food connection. I kept reading, hoping it would get better and then it was done. Life through Pie - not to be confused with Life of Pi (not that there's a chance!
February 16, 2016
A book to make your mouth water. The author goes into great detail about making pies and does not want the decline of pie baking art to go by the wayside. Delicious sounding recipes and real recipies in this book.
December 31, 2008
Great writing, comfy subject, makes me wanna bake. A lot.
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August 7, 2009An okay memoir, but pleasant and folky to read. Best part of the book are the recipes. The rhubarb pie is so simple and so good!
January 20, 2009
If you want the low down on pie crust, this is the source. And, she's got a great sense of humor.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews