[.ca] The Armchair James Beard (ISBN 1558217371)

Fabulous, Witty and Appetizing:
It's a shame that James Beard isn't alive today. His influence touches everything, from food magazines to the colosus that is the Food Network. Part of his genius was that he was simply himself-- a gourmet who was mad about food. The subject could be simple or elaborate,a dish of sauerkraut or a feast on cassoulet--every food experience inspired awe, memory and gratitude (and occassionally a very strong dislike). A great food writer incites the reader to pick up a fork and experience an ingredient or dish him/herself. Perhaps, in this way, Mr. Beard achieves immortality...

A taste of the past.:
If there was one thing I would change about my life, I would have loved to have met James Beard. He went on to the next life the year I discovered my true love - cooking. I was in Africa at the time and started cooking more than anything else. Daily I would come home and dream of dinner time when I too would learn many things from a cook who taught me how to enjoy some of the basic foods in life. While I was born in a different time and place, Africa was about 100 years behind America in some ways. I went through many of the same experiences he did. Times were simpler in Africa and I long for the days when cooking and eating dinner was a family occasion. After reading this charming collection of James Beards experiences with food and important people in his life - I now know why James Beard is so revered and honored for his amazing talents. His inspiration continues to flow through his books and this is a must read for the cookbook collector or anyone who wants a taste of the past.