Fries!: An Illustrated Guide to the World's Favorite Food

by Blake Lingle

Imagine a plate of crisp, golden, salted fries, and you'll know why this is the world's favorite food. Who better to write the consummate cultural history and user's guide of the fry than Blake Lingle, whose fries were recently voted the best in America by U.S. News & World Report ? In this lighthearted ode, Lingle offers a 360-degree look at fries, from their roots in antiquity, to the long-standing debate as to whether the Belgians or the French created the first true frites , to their current status as a gourmet treat (whether dusted with truffle salt or slathered in gravy and cheese curds in that outrageous Canadian delicacy, poutine).

The pop culture and lore of fries includes a look inside a potato farm and fry factory. Lingle catalogs the many varieties—of shapes, oils, vegetables, coatings, seasonings, sauces, and pairings—describing what to eat and drink with your fries. Detailed instructions are given for how to cut, fry, and serve your own Platonic ideal of the fry. Additional fry know-how is combined with archival images and new color photography to showcase the glorious tastiness of fries, in this ideal gift for anyone who can't get enough of the world's favorite food.

Genres: Food, Nonfiction, Cooking

144 pages, Hardcover

First published April 26, 2016

Reviews

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute overview but nothing special Another entry in the microhistories of foods, this time about fries. I was very pleased to find that this book is actually about fries vs. it being tangentially related like another book I read. This small book talks about what fries are, how they came to be, what are the different types/styles, how they are eaten (as a side, as a compliment to the main dish, etc.). There you have it. Fries.
 
There's not much more to say to it. I was surprised to see how small the book is: a book like this could have very easily been a coffee table style book (it has some very nice pictures) but it's actually somewhat comparable to a smaller tablet. But I suppose that fits. The author is clearly very enthusiastic about the subject but the book itself is just eh. There are some nice bits of history and interesting fun trivia factoids and the author's writing style is chatty and easy-going. 
 
But it's not really a history book, nor is it a recipe-filled cookbook. As a fun, light read I enjoyed it but I'm not sure who its for since it's not really big enough for display and it's not a cookbook either. I suppose if you're a foodie or just interested in a story like this it might be a good pickup.
 
I got it at a discount but I wish it had been available at my library instead. Wouldn't really go out of your way to find it unless you need it as a source of you REALLY adore fries.

[Monique Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this book as a Christmas gift and read it in 24 hours. It strikes the perfect balance between educational and funny. I learned some new things about fries, had fun reading it, and got really hungry!

[Rebecca Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was amazed by how well the book was researched and the humor in it.

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta love Fries! Great book!

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fries, yum. I'm hungry. Really great illustrated pictures.

[Liz DeLise · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was absolutely adorable. it was a quick ready, informative and funny. cheers to fries!

[Elizabeth Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fun, interesting read. I finished it in two sittings and later made homemade fries for the first time. They were delicious. For a full review of this book, as well as a glimpse of what to expect, visit http://usinguppencils.blogspot.com/20....

[Ietrio · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is cute, amusing, and not very useful. About fries anyway.

[Robert Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me know all about fries now. Also hungry.