Ambitious Appetites: Dining, Behavior, and Patterns of Consumption in Federal Washington

by Barbara G. Carson

Book by Carson, Barbara G.

212 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1990

Reviews

[Meaghan Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super interesting! I love that this was a cross between an exhibit catalog, a scholarly monograph, and a curator's research notes. I think the second chapter was particularly strong in providing a comparative view across class lines, but I really wish there was an additional chapter discussing race in a similar way. The few mentions of race and slavery made this missing information incredibly visible, especially when constructing whiteness is so poignent at this moment in history. Overall, it was a very fascinating read!

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carson's book is a highly readable series of essays that provides wonderful insights into the culture, material culture, and social conventions of federal-era Washington, DC.