Fried Chicken

by John T. Edge

Book Overview

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?...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399151834
• ISBN13: 9780399151835
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Food History

Written By John T. Edge, a history if fried chicken. A great addition to Mr. Edge's books on donuts, apple pie and hamburgers.

Death blow to the McNugget Culture!!!

John T. Edge may be the true savior of Southern Cuisine. In Fried Chicken, Edge does a fine job at explaining that Fried Chicken is really a multi-cultural phenomenon and not a Southern-only cuisine (as much as we hate to admit it). Edge's stories include many great characters and destinations. I enjoyed getting to meet these people through his eyes. His sense of travel and wandering in search of the "Meaning of Fried Chicken" reminds me of a Jimmy Buffett style story, riddled with an unforgettable cast of characters and a journey that takes him through such a diverse list of cities. America's culture is one that cannot be defined. People and society differ from region to region. It is fun to see how a fried bird can become a common thread, or a universal symbol of America. It may be time to replace the Bald Eagle as our National Bird with shoebox full of fried drumsticks and bottle of hot sauce! Recipes are a great bonus! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of his "American Story/Passion" series.

Can't wait to read this book

I first heard about John T. Edge on WHYY last week, regarding his new book on hamburgers. But after noticing his book about Fried Chicken got 5 stars, I can wait to read them all. And by the way, I live right down the street from Gourmet Fried Chicken on Cermak Road in Chicago. It is wonderful Fried Chicken. But does anyone know if Martins in Montgomery, AL is still around. during my year living in the deep south, it was my Friday Dinner Ritual.

Can Fried Chicken get ANY better?

John T. Edge's book "Fried Chicken: An American Story", is the first in a series on iconic american food. And Mr. Edge has hit the heart of this chicken-loving foodie with this one. I hate to admit it, but I can't stop salivating. And I'm yearning to be able to take time off from my work, jump into the car, and head off on a road trip to all of the different places mentioned in his book. "Fried Chicken" is a quick read, just under 200 pages, and I managed to finish it in under a day. But that's because I couldn't put it down. Mr. Edge's fun and flavor-filled stories about his search for the perfect fried chicken in America had me longing to taste every different take on the classic finger food that he did. For instance, if I ever get to Chicago, I know there's a visit to Gourmet Fried Chicken on Cermak Road in my future. Mr. Edge's recounting of his visit there and his meeting with the owner, Chef Luciano, gives me reason to stop by and try the fare. Ditto Sam Lee's Chicken Valley at the Pike Street Market in Seattle, and four different places in the small town of Barberton, Ohio. Perhaps I'll take a quick road trip there next time I get out to visit my mother in Ohio. And every other hotel, bistro, or fast food restaurant Mr. Edge speaks of would, if it were possible, be getting a visit from me in the near future. Edge also includes, as the book jacket indicates, the "essential recipes" from each of his road stories, either the exact one from one of the eateries or his own close approximation, for those times when the cooks behind the chickens therein wouldn't give up all of their secrets. And Edge has thoughtfully included an appendix listing the best places to each chicken, complete with addresses and telephone numbers. Yes, this book will find it's way into my overnight bag anytime I travel... If the rest of Edge's books in this new series are this complete (there are two more right now, "APPLE PIE" and "HAMBURGERS AND FRIES", for which reviews are forthcoming), the entire series is going to be worthy of having on the "Shelf of FAME" in any foodie's bookcase. "FRIED CHICKEN: AN AMERICAN STORY" is a fast, fun, and delicious read for all, and is absolutely essential for any fellow fancier of fowl. I guarantee you will find yourself seated beside Mr. Edge as he travels the country looking for the best foods. And thanks to the recipes, you DON'T have to do it vicariously. You can be there too. Or at least simulate being there. And that's the next best thing, all things considered.

I Can't Put It Down

Edge's book is a must read for anyone who is interested in studying American culture through its food. Written in a New Yorker magazine style, he profiles the full range of culinary masters that create succulent chicken coast to coast. If the rest of the series of books that he is writing on everything from apple pie to burgers to fries is this good, I will purchase them all. This is the best of American food writing. You will not be able to put it down! Buy it before the sun sets tonight.