The Book of Spam: A Most Glorious and Definitive Compendium of the World's Favorite Canned Meat

by Dan Armstrong

An irreverent seventieth anniversary tribute to the popular canned meat celebrates everything from the SPAM fan club to Monty Python's Broadway production, SPAMalot, in an illustrated volume that describes the product's history, advertising campaigns, and favorite recipes. 30,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Food

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. If adding books to this author, please use Dan^^Armstrong.

Reviews

[Fishface · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be in every American home library. Plus Guam and Puerto Rico. Unflinchingly tells the true story of SPAM and how it came to nearly take over the world with salty pork-flavored goodness. Also one of the funniest books I have ever read. You will read this one over and over with no regrets and come away with a vague yen for a certain imperishable pork product you can eat cold, straight from the can with a knife like the gyrenes had to in Big Two, or in dozens of other ways -- some of them outlined in this book!!!

[Athena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Masterfully told and gripping. You'll laugh, you'll cry. You'll want to eat Spam. This book will make you proud to be an American or just an earthling. No other planet has created anything so tasty. Consider this book the next time you need to give a graduation or wedding gift. I am only being 4% facetious.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a lot of SPAM trivia in one place, this book is your resource. Interesting read and sometimes funny.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just as the title states, this tells everything you ever wanted to know about Spam. It’s almost exhaustive detail (as to what caused that weird jelly-like substance surrounding every tube of meat and why we don’t have it any longer) is a treat for any Spam lover. It even comes with recipes.

This is a book at what is admittedly a lightweight subject. In an age where everybody is questioning where their food comes from (especially the meat), Spam may be falling out of style. But it’s still our number one favorite of canned meats—especially in Hawaii. Ono!

[Book Him Danno · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this little meat in a can, it is also a cute book with a collection of fun stories. We live in Spamtown and yes we really do eat it. Fried Spam with fried tomatoes, YUMMMMMMMY!!! This is a great idea as a gift for the Spam fans out there. We have the SPAM museum in town and you can get anything related to SPAM there, I mean anything.

[Jennifer Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a fan of the Spam but couldn't pass this up when it was all but calling my name on the cleanance shelf at 1/2 Price Books. It only reinforced my dislike of Spam. Did you know it really is made from the ass and neck of the pig? ICK! I was most alarmed by the Spam themed wedding. I am only surprised that that the nuptials weren't held in the aisles of Walmart!

[Jeannie]

I read this book on my breaks when I was a construction worker this summer. It was the perfect funny break daily. Wonderful cartoons and artwork in the book. And to think this all comes out of our little Austin, MN!

[Chi Dubinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tribute to the luncheon meat that sells nearly 80 million pounds each year. "The Book of Spam" is full of the history, trivia, advertising art, and recipes that will make Spam lovers salivate. How about some Spam upside-down pie or a baked bean Spamwich? Yummm.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly the classiest book I've read in days. Much funnier than those snooty books Dale reads.

[Nikki Kenworthy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everything you ever wanted to know about SPAM and some things you didn't want to know.

[Mimi McDonnell Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spamtastic!

[Intorrek Sound · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, SPAM.... You amazing meat.