What do you think?
Rate this book
Their Last Suppers: Legends of History and Their Final Meals
A journey through over 2000 years of culinary history and the final repasts of famous figures—with recipes included.
Part historical narrative and part grilling guide and cookbook, Andrew Caldwell’s Their Last Suppers guides history buffs and gourmands alike through gastronomically inspired biographical accounts of more than twenty legendary personalities. Recipes are included (though the author has decided to skip the pork blood beverages drunk by the Spartans).
Unearthing recipes as far back as 323 B.C., Caldwell, aka the History Chef, provides insight into two thousand years of culinary lore. Each historical figure’s profile includes a brief description of pursuits and accomplishments as well as little-known anecdotes, popular foods of his or her time period, recipes for the figure’s actual last meal, and cooking tips. Because the kitchens of Montezuma, Caesar, and other notables profiled within the book were often very basic, Caldwell brings their fare into modern kitchens, although he strongly believes that, whenever possible, grills and open fires should be used for most dishes and therefore provides specific preparation tips throughout.
From the Titanic ’s twelve-course tasting menu to personal recipes for Princess Diana’s Favorite Watercress Soup, Elvis Presley’s Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich, Julius Caesar’s Ambrosia, Cleopatra’s Hummus, and Stone Crab a la Kennedy, historians and foodies alike will relish the trivia and tastings paired within this unique and entertaining book.
Part historical narrative and part grilling guide and cookbook, Andrew Caldwell’s Their Last Suppers guides history buffs and gourmands alike through gastronomically inspired biographical accounts of more than twenty legendary personalities. Recipes are included (though the author has decided to skip the pork blood beverages drunk by the Spartans).
Unearthing recipes as far back as 323 B.C., Caldwell, aka the History Chef, provides insight into two thousand years of culinary lore. Each historical figure’s profile includes a brief description of pursuits and accomplishments as well as little-known anecdotes, popular foods of his or her time period, recipes for the figure’s actual last meal, and cooking tips. Because the kitchens of Montezuma, Caesar, and other notables profiled within the book were often very basic, Caldwell brings their fare into modern kitchens, although he strongly believes that, whenever possible, grills and open fires should be used for most dishes and therefore provides specific preparation tips throughout.
From the Titanic ’s twelve-course tasting menu to personal recipes for Princess Diana’s Favorite Watercress Soup, Elvis Presley’s Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich, Julius Caesar’s Ambrosia, Cleopatra’s Hummus, and Stone Crab a la Kennedy, historians and foodies alike will relish the trivia and tastings paired within this unique and entertaining book.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
July 26, 2020
I love reading quick biographical snippets of famous people, and this book did not disappoint. Some stuff I knew (I think I've read all there is about Princess Diana), but other stuff was completely new for me. And then to tie it in with food, one of my favorite subjects, was so fun.
June 28, 2024
2⭐️
The author Andrew Caldwell calls himself The History Chef, and we follow his lead on the path of exploring foods and drinks that were consumed by legendary figures before their deaths.
A brief foreword says that we will dip our toes into different timelines and recipes, although some of them might not be the most accurately described. Through the book, the chef gives us a few cooking tips that are actually useful, but I’d say the whole collection here is very vague and goes from soft-boiled eggs to Rognons de Veau Ardennaise (veal kidneys) and Roast Pheasant with orange sauce and gravy. So if you’d actually like to recreate a few of these, it might be a challenge, just saying.
Before the famous “last meals”, we get a snippet of history and, apparently, how those people's last hours went, but some of those essays were so underwhelming and bare that I actually felt like it was a waste of paper.
For example, Martin Luther King is one of the guests here, and Andrew Caldwell deemed him to be important enough to be in the collection, but unfortunately not important enough to add anything besides his historical segregation speech. Really? Is that how we treat a legend of history?
I do think most of these aren’t historically accurate, and since this book was published in 2010, I feel the author could’ve done more research, which is the whole point of the book, but the concept is still quite intriguing.
Judging by all the positives and negatives, I’d say this book would be interesting to morbidly curious and the food freaks, but probably not the most exciting to the general public. If you don’t get too thrown aback by some of the disadvantages of the book, you might actually have a lot of fun reading it. Maybe I’d follow a recipe once or twice, but otherwise it’s going to be undisturbed on my shelf.
The author Andrew Caldwell calls himself The History Chef, and we follow his lead on the path of exploring foods and drinks that were consumed by legendary figures before their deaths.
A brief foreword says that we will dip our toes into different timelines and recipes, although some of them might not be the most accurately described. Through the book, the chef gives us a few cooking tips that are actually useful, but I’d say the whole collection here is very vague and goes from soft-boiled eggs to Rognons de Veau Ardennaise (veal kidneys) and Roast Pheasant with orange sauce and gravy. So if you’d actually like to recreate a few of these, it might be a challenge, just saying.
Before the famous “last meals”, we get a snippet of history and, apparently, how those people's last hours went, but some of those essays were so underwhelming and bare that I actually felt like it was a waste of paper.
For example, Martin Luther King is one of the guests here, and Andrew Caldwell deemed him to be important enough to be in the collection, but unfortunately not important enough to add anything besides his historical segregation speech. Really? Is that how we treat a legend of history?
I do think most of these aren’t historically accurate, and since this book was published in 2010, I feel the author could’ve done more research, which is the whole point of the book, but the concept is still quite intriguing.
Judging by all the positives and negatives, I’d say this book would be interesting to morbidly curious and the food freaks, but probably not the most exciting to the general public. If you don’t get too thrown aback by some of the disadvantages of the book, you might actually have a lot of fun reading it. Maybe I’d follow a recipe once or twice, but otherwise it’s going to be undisturbed on my shelf.
October 2, 2015
This was a nice surprise. It is a book about the last meals of famous people from Alexander the Great to Princess Diana. I admit it may be a little grotesque in theme but author Andrew Caldwell makes it intriguing and enjoyable adding all types of lesser trivia about these famous people. Most of the last meal menus are historically accurate but Caldwell admits to some creative license with ancients like Cleopatra and Montezuma by using what were typical dishes of the time. In most cases, Caldwell also adds the person's favorite food even if it wasn't is last. Lincoln;s favorite food was Dilled Chicken Fricassee and Martin Luther King's was Creole Catfish. All of these last suppers come with the recipes so you can wow your dinner quest by serving the last meal of Julius Cesar, Marilyn Monroe, or if you are a sicko, Hitler. I have not tried any recipes. This is more of a curiosity book for me. But I believe most will find it quite entertaining and informative.
August 1, 2026
A super interesting book. Lots of little historical tidbits:)
September 20, 2012
This book described some of the last suppers of famous people. Some of the legends were Marilyn Monroe, Martin Luther King Jr., Hitler, Napoleon, Elvis and many others. With each person they briefly described their accomplishedments. They also included some interesting facts about each person. Then Andrew Caldwell intricately describes their final meal. Unlike most books it didn't have a storyline but each chapter was like an individual story. At the end of each chapter the author wrote out the last meal that each person had.
My reaction to the book was one of suprise. It was a enjoyable book to read. I learned so many things about these people who made history. Many of the famous people back in the Medieval times had extremely fancy and long meals. Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and Cleopatra had at least 4 or 5 dishes for their meal.
I would recommend this book for people who enjoy reading about history. I really like history so this book definitely appealed to me. It provides more about the people than what we read in the textbooks. If you also like food then this book would be appealing to you also.
My reaction to the book was one of suprise. It was a enjoyable book to read. I learned so many things about these people who made history. Many of the famous people back in the Medieval times had extremely fancy and long meals. Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and Cleopatra had at least 4 or 5 dishes for their meal.
I would recommend this book for people who enjoy reading about history. I really like history so this book definitely appealed to me. It provides more about the people than what we read in the textbooks. If you also like food then this book would be appealing to you also.
May 23, 2011
Now this is an odd little book--part history book and part cookbook. Andrew Caldwell looks at a number of historic figures and uncovers what their last meal was. Then, he gives recipes for those dishes. Oh, and there are some interesting tidbits of information about the individuals included in the collection. Such as Adolf Hitler became a vegetarian in 1931 (although he was often seen sneaking meat often in the form of liver dumplings--figures) and his long-time personal chef was Jewish--until that fact was discovered and she was removed from her job. Some of the historical figures included in this collection were Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Montezuma, and Captain Cook. In those cases, obviously, details were not known about the last meals, so the author included recipes for dishes that would have been served at that historical period. Also included were John Candy, John F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, and Abraham Lincoln. Interesting, but very strange.
May 22, 2011
This was a free download for Kindle. It's not the sort of thing I would have paid for, and I'm certainly glad I didn't. It's a cookbook, containing recipies for the (documented or speculative) "last meals" of a number of historical personages... from Cleopatra to John Candy. That's right, John Candy is a "legend of history". Some of the dishes and preparations are interesting to read about, but the ingredients and techniques are for very experienced amateur or professional chefs only... the historical essays are poorly written and riddled with inaccuracies. Stay away from this one, even as a freebie...
March 21, 2015
I still haven't decided whether this is a history book or a cookbook.
I thought it would literally give details on the last meals of various people, which it did, but it also turned out to be a cookbook. After each section there is a recipe to the meals that were mentioned. My only major complaint about this book are the number of people mentioned. I thought there would be more than there were. And given the number of people, I think some of them could have been replaced with more interesting figures.
Otherwise, it is an interesting little book. And I do plan on trying a couple of those recipes, too.
I thought it would literally give details on the last meals of various people, which it did, but it also turned out to be a cookbook. After each section there is a recipe to the meals that were mentioned. My only major complaint about this book are the number of people mentioned. I thought there would be more than there were. And given the number of people, I think some of them could have been replaced with more interesting figures.
Otherwise, it is an interesting little book. And I do plan on trying a couple of those recipes, too.
September 7, 2012
I thought this would be a fun food and history book. It failed on all three parts.
The history isn't even Wikipedia level, and many of the last suppers are purely speculative. The recipes vary wildly in descriptive detail and difficulty - the reader that needs a recipe for garlic bread isn't going to be skinning eels or roasting pheasant, you know. They're also not historically accurate. (I doubt General Custer ate beef jerky flavored with soy sauce.) And finally, the idea of actually cooking and serving these "last suppers" is pretty morbid.
So, basically, a hot mess.
The history isn't even Wikipedia level, and many of the last suppers are purely speculative. The recipes vary wildly in descriptive detail and difficulty - the reader that needs a recipe for garlic bread isn't going to be skinning eels or roasting pheasant, you know. They're also not historically accurate. (I doubt General Custer ate beef jerky flavored with soy sauce.) And finally, the idea of actually cooking and serving these "last suppers" is pretty morbid.
So, basically, a hot mess.
January 20, 2011
More of a cookbook than a history book, so I was a little surprised. But still an interesting read. I don't advise reading it on an empty stomach, as you'll end up foraging in your fridge for a snack!
April 16, 2022
This book is a fantastic read! Fun, informative, and lighthearted stories about the rise and fall of all manner of celebrities, from John Candy to Alexander the Great.
Taken as a reader, it's a fun book, well worth reading, and not too expensive. As a cookbook, it's a little uneven. Some recipes work better than others, so beginners, take them with a grain of salt. Experts, trust your instincts, if something feels wrong, it probably is.
Great to read, and good for ideas, but not a precision cookbook.
Taken as a reader, it's a fun book, well worth reading, and not too expensive. As a cookbook, it's a little uneven. Some recipes work better than others, so beginners, take them with a grain of salt. Experts, trust your instincts, if something feels wrong, it probably is.
Great to read, and good for ideas, but not a precision cookbook.
February 21, 2024
Wonderfully interesting! For the last meals, not only are they described but their recipes are provided! I loved this aspect because you could truly understand how lavish or plain some of these meals really were.
Tip: I skipped past the table of contents because I didn’t want to know who was in the book. I also didn’t look ahead as I wanted to be surprised.
Tip: I skipped past the table of contents because I didn’t want to know who was in the book. I also didn’t look ahead as I wanted to be surprised.
December 5, 2018
Interesting Read!
It was very interesting to read about these historic people and their last and favorite meals. I want to try some of the recipes. Surprisingly, some are very simple.
It was very interesting to read about these historic people and their last and favorite meals. I want to try some of the recipes. Surprisingly, some are very simple.
June 23, 2022
Historical figures (not sure if I would refer to everyone featured in this book as an "historical figure") and what they ate before their untimely deaths plus recipes if you want to recreate those dishes.
June 2, 2019
Interesting
I really didn't look much at the meals, I liked the history that went with each person. Looking for more like this.
I really didn't look much at the meals, I liked the history that went with each person. Looking for more like this.
October 1, 2016
Completely written from a colonizer point of view. Making European explorers the heroes of the stories, lightly glossing over the slaughtering of indigenous peoples.
Also, I thought this book would have more history behind the food, like why did certain cultures eat these foods and that wasn't included. Disappointed all around.
Also, I thought this book would have more history behind the food, like why did certain cultures eat these foods and that wasn't included. Disappointed all around.
July 29, 2011
Andrew Caldwell has trademarked himself as ‘The History Chef’, combining his love of history with his love of the culinary arts, and born of this love is “Their Last Suppers: Legends of History and Their Final Meals.”
In each chapter, Caldwell features a known figure in history, talks about their rise to fame as well as their eating habits, then documents either their last meal before death, or in cases where that information was not available, their favorite meals while alive.
I have to say I learned both historical facts and interesting recipes from Caldwell. Several of Caldwell’s historical figures are from ancient times; Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Alexander The Great. If I learned of these greats during my school-aged lessons, Caldwell goes into details that weren’t likely part of my prior book learning.
Also covered are several world explorers and conquerors of their day, including Napoleon Bonaparte, Montezuma II, and Captain James Cook. I liked reading about these people, however Caldwell seems to focus on sea-faring captains of hundreds of years ago far too much for my liking. A better variety of subjects would have made for a more interesting overall concept.
When Caldwell gets into Princess Diana of Wales, John F. Kennedy and John Candy, these are people to whom I can relate better; as well as appreciate the recipes of their last meals, as they don’t include items like goat and turtle.
I also enjoyed that Caldwell raised questions regarding conspiracies surrounding Marilyn Monroe’s death, as well as JFK’s death. Of course, these are well-known historical events, but it’s always nice to spark some thoughtful questioning that makes a reader want to learn more about your subject.
Part history lesson, part cookbook, Caldwell has merged his subjects nicely. He also has two more collections of this type on the way from his publisher. I look forward to reading more. Hopefully their subjects will be a little more contemporary than his first volume, with recipes that could be recreated and enjoyed at home.
In each chapter, Caldwell features a known figure in history, talks about their rise to fame as well as their eating habits, then documents either their last meal before death, or in cases where that information was not available, their favorite meals while alive.
I have to say I learned both historical facts and interesting recipes from Caldwell. Several of Caldwell’s historical figures are from ancient times; Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Alexander The Great. If I learned of these greats during my school-aged lessons, Caldwell goes into details that weren’t likely part of my prior book learning.
Also covered are several world explorers and conquerors of their day, including Napoleon Bonaparte, Montezuma II, and Captain James Cook. I liked reading about these people, however Caldwell seems to focus on sea-faring captains of hundreds of years ago far too much for my liking. A better variety of subjects would have made for a more interesting overall concept.
When Caldwell gets into Princess Diana of Wales, John F. Kennedy and John Candy, these are people to whom I can relate better; as well as appreciate the recipes of their last meals, as they don’t include items like goat and turtle.
I also enjoyed that Caldwell raised questions regarding conspiracies surrounding Marilyn Monroe’s death, as well as JFK’s death. Of course, these are well-known historical events, but it’s always nice to spark some thoughtful questioning that makes a reader want to learn more about your subject.
Part history lesson, part cookbook, Caldwell has merged his subjects nicely. He also has two more collections of this type on the way from his publisher. I look forward to reading more. Hopefully their subjects will be a little more contemporary than his first volume, with recipes that could be recreated and enjoyed at home.
May 24, 2011
This book takes a look at the last meals of historical figures, who at the time, did not know that those were going to be their last meals. The author unearths recipes going back as far as 325 B.C. The people featured in the book include Martin Luther King, Napoleon, Princess Diana, the captain of the Hindenburg Ernst Lehmann, Elvis Presley, and Cleopatra.
It also mentions the Titanic 11 course dinner, the last meal before the ship went down. I'm sure a lot of those passengers probably ate like it was their last supper, even though they didn't know at the time it truly would be.
And it was interesting to read how Elvis's penchant for junk food started in childhood, his loving, but over indulgent mother gave him whatever food he wanted and made no effort to make him eat fruits and vegetables.
I was also surprised at how sophisticated some of the recipes were even back in B.C. times; many of those are gourmet dishes that people still enjoy today.
Each chapter has a biography of a historical figure, followed by a menu of their last meal, and a few recipes. I was disappointed though, that there wasn't much actual history about the food; how it was prepared, especially in the days before modern appliances, how the food of the upper classes differed from the lower classes, how food was preserved, what meal times were like, things like that. Some of the biographies were overly long and didn't mention much about the food at all. I was hoping to learn a lot more from this book than I did.
It also mentions the Titanic 11 course dinner, the last meal before the ship went down. I'm sure a lot of those passengers probably ate like it was their last supper, even though they didn't know at the time it truly would be.
And it was interesting to read how Elvis's penchant for junk food started in childhood, his loving, but over indulgent mother gave him whatever food he wanted and made no effort to make him eat fruits and vegetables.
I was also surprised at how sophisticated some of the recipes were even back in B.C. times; many of those are gourmet dishes that people still enjoy today.
Each chapter has a biography of a historical figure, followed by a menu of their last meal, and a few recipes. I was disappointed though, that there wasn't much actual history about the food; how it was prepared, especially in the days before modern appliances, how the food of the upper classes differed from the lower classes, how food was preserved, what meal times were like, things like that. Some of the biographies were overly long and didn't mention much about the food at all. I was hoping to learn a lot more from this book than I did.
July 28, 2015
In 'Hun laatste avondmaal' combineert auteur/chef-kok Andrew Caldwell merendeels (over)bekende verhalen met recepten. Een geschiedenislesje van Cleopatra tot Lady Di, van Marilyn Monroe tot de Titanic en andere beroemdheden en historische gebeurtenissen, waaraan gekoppeld de bijbehorende laatste avondmalen en lievelingsgerechten.
De receptuur van de diverse gerechten is aangepast aan de tegenwoordige tijd, ook de ingrediënten zijn versimpeld. Pauw is kip geworden, om een voorbeeld te noemen.
Caldwell dient de verhalen smeuïg op, ongeacht over wie het gaat of op welke wijze de besprokenen aan hun eind zijn gekomen. Adolf Hitler krijgt net zo veel aandacht als Marilyn Monroe, die gedumpt werd door twee broers Kennedy. Hitler was overigens een enorme zoetekauw. Zijn lievelingszoetigheid: chocolaatjes (1 kilo per dag), gebakjes en warme chocolademelk met slagroom; bovendien deed hij zeven schepjes suiker in zijn thee en zelfs suiker in zijn wijn.
Voor liefhebbers van wat ik noem eetboeken een heerlijk boek om te lezen. Als kookboek stelt het niet veel voor, al zitten er aardige recepten tussen, maar de recepten vormen wel de finishing touch van 'Hun laatste avondmaal'.
Deze Nederlandse vertaling van 'Their Last Suppers; Legends of History and Their Final Meals' stamt uit 2011 en is nog steeds te koop.
De receptuur van de diverse gerechten is aangepast aan de tegenwoordige tijd, ook de ingrediënten zijn versimpeld. Pauw is kip geworden, om een voorbeeld te noemen.
Caldwell dient de verhalen smeuïg op, ongeacht over wie het gaat of op welke wijze de besprokenen aan hun eind zijn gekomen. Adolf Hitler krijgt net zo veel aandacht als Marilyn Monroe, die gedumpt werd door twee broers Kennedy. Hitler was overigens een enorme zoetekauw. Zijn lievelingszoetigheid: chocolaatjes (1 kilo per dag), gebakjes en warme chocolademelk met slagroom; bovendien deed hij zeven schepjes suiker in zijn thee en zelfs suiker in zijn wijn.
Voor liefhebbers van wat ik noem eetboeken een heerlijk boek om te lezen. Als kookboek stelt het niet veel voor, al zitten er aardige recepten tussen, maar de recepten vormen wel de finishing touch van 'Hun laatste avondmaal'.
Deze Nederlandse vertaling van 'Their Last Suppers; Legends of History and Their Final Meals' stamt uit 2011 en is nog steeds te koop.
December 17, 2011
i'm not really sure what to think of this book so far. on the one hand, recipes are pretty cool. dude, i can make a dinner that alexander the great would've enjoyed. that's awesome. at the same time, i find myself being way bummed when reminded of some of the deaths, like princess di or jfk (even though that was before i was born, but anyway...). i get to thinking, what if they had lived longer? what difference might that have made? and then i get into this big existential funk and completely lose interest in the fact that princess di used a blender to make her favorite watercress soup, which seems like a rather unprincess-y thing to do, using a blender...yeah. i dunno.
UPDATE: yup. it's a great idea for a book, but i just got so bogged down in being sad about people dying and being pissed at the asshatticus mcdouchebags doing the killing (or just the random twists of fate or circumstance) that it detracted from my experience. "hey, here's this person, and they died, and here's what they ate just before!" in retrospect, yeah, that's kinda weird. i'll stick with the 3 stars, but i'm kinda glad it was only 99 cents in the kindle store...
UPDATE: yup. it's a great idea for a book, but i just got so bogged down in being sad about people dying and being pissed at the asshatticus mcdouchebags doing the killing (or just the random twists of fate or circumstance) that it detracted from my experience. "hey, here's this person, and they died, and here's what they ate just before!" in retrospect, yeah, that's kinda weird. i'll stick with the 3 stars, but i'm kinda glad it was only 99 cents in the kindle store...
May 24, 2011
The most morbid cookbook you will ever read.
I bought this because I happen to be a morbid person and was actually intrigued by reading what certain famous people ate before they died. Surprisingly, the book really isn't all that weird. There's a brief biography about each person noting their major achievements and they how they died, ending with their final menu and then recipes so you can make the meal yourself. These recipes vary from quite easy to pretty advanced. Some I'm interested in trying, like Napoleon's favourite chestnut soup and John Candy's Mexican spaghetti. Others just sound gross, like kid chops and other assorted baby animals.
Basically, this book is a nice history lesson that makes you a little bit hungry. Until you remember you're eating someone's last meal...
I bought this because I happen to be a morbid person and was actually intrigued by reading what certain famous people ate before they died. Surprisingly, the book really isn't all that weird. There's a brief biography about each person noting their major achievements and they how they died, ending with their final menu and then recipes so you can make the meal yourself. These recipes vary from quite easy to pretty advanced. Some I'm interested in trying, like Napoleon's favourite chestnut soup and John Candy's Mexican spaghetti. Others just sound gross, like kid chops and other assorted baby animals.
Basically, this book is a nice history lesson that makes you a little bit hungry. Until you remember you're eating someone's last meal...
June 3, 2014
Perfect for the amateur cook and history buff.
Perfect for the amateur cook and history buff.
If you like cookbooks and also history then this book is perfect for you. I like that you are given a backstory of each of the legends of history as well as recipes for not only their last meals but their favorite meals as well. They are so many little tidbits that I did not know about, like did you know that Hitler was a vegetarian? Or that but before Custard's last stand , Custard's famous golden locks were shorn off and he was the only soldier not scalped? These little facts of information as well as all the yummy recipes that I plan on cooking up make the book worth checking out.
Perfect for the amateur cook and history buff.
If you like cookbooks and also history then this book is perfect for you. I like that you are given a backstory of each of the legends of history as well as recipes for not only their last meals but their favorite meals as well. They are so many little tidbits that I did not know about, like did you know that Hitler was a vegetarian? Or that but before Custard's last stand , Custard's famous golden locks were shorn off and he was the only soldier not scalped? These little facts of information as well as all the yummy recipes that I plan on cooking up make the book worth checking out.
December 2, 2014
A peculiar little book. The author, who claims to be a chef, and a historian,chooses 21 people of some historical note at random, writes short, cogent, interesting and well-worded biographical essays about them, comments briefly on what they likely ate for their last meals, and then gives some recipes for those dishes. That is all that links Elvis Presley to Julius Caesar to Adolph Hitler to Abraham Lincoln to Admiral Nelson to General Custer to John Candy.
Read as a bedtime reading, for which it was excellent––short essays, sprightly written, and easy to put down as the eyes got heavy.
I will remember the venison pate recipe in the chapter on the captain of the Titanic, and try to make it with one of the venison roasts that Mr. Hambly at the farmers market gave me.
Read as a bedtime reading, for which it was excellent––short essays, sprightly written, and easy to put down as the eyes got heavy.
I will remember the venison pate recipe in the chapter on the captain of the Titanic, and try to make it with one of the venison roasts that Mr. Hambly at the farmers market gave me.
December 31, 2011
This was a great book featuring the history and recipes of many famous people throughout time. And then John Candy. It was kind of unusual to see him compared to people like Julius Cesar, General Custard and Martin Luther King. I really enjoyed the brief synopsis of their life. I learned a little bit about them that I hadn't known. Being blessed with culinary skills I also enjoyed the vast variety of unique recipes offered as well. Covering basics, healthy, unhealthy and cultural. I recommend it for someone who might be interested in learning a little history without being bogged down by the details of each person's life.
June 14, 2010
Eh. Well written, but a little disappointing. I was very much looking forward to the black humor of cooking Hitlers last meal for friends, but Vegetable soup and pumpernickel is just a let down.
It turns out that most people didn't know they were about to die before their last meal, or if they were aware, wanted to spend their last waking hours with loved ones.
Give me an Ornolac stuffed in a pheasant, covered in aspic.
It turns out that most people didn't know they were about to die before their last meal, or if they were aware, wanted to spend their last waking hours with loved ones.
Give me an Ornolac stuffed in a pheasant, covered in aspic.
May 24, 2011
This book gave a brief history of the 'Legends of History' which were somewhat interesting. Hitler, the Captain of the Titanic, Julius Caesar, Princess Diana, etc. But somehow I never would have considered John Candy a legend of history. A great actor, comedian who was taken much too soon, yes, but on the same level as Julius Caesar? Umm, ok... Other than that it was really just a cook book. And somehow I really don't need to know how to make grilled goat.
May 30, 2011
Marilyn Monroe, Cleopatra, Adolf Hitler, and Napoleon are just a few of the people who are included in this book.
I liked how the author set up the details for each person's last supper. It was interesting to see the recipes for the food that made up their last supper and even included recipes of their favorite dishes as well.
I thought this book could of had a better ending. Maybe an epilogue since the book seemed to end quite abruptly.
I liked how the author set up the details for each person's last supper. It was interesting to see the recipes for the food that made up their last supper and even included recipes of their favorite dishes as well.
I thought this book could of had a better ending. Maybe an epilogue since the book seemed to end quite abruptly.
June 21, 2011
Caldwell bills himself as the History Chef. This book outlines the last meals of some of history's greatest figures - from Alexander the Great to Princess Diana; Cleopatra to Adolph Hitler. Oh, and he threw in Elvis and John Candy.
When actual meals aren't known he writes of the usual dishes served at that time in history. It includes recipes and cooking instructions. A very brief bio appears for each person.
When actual meals aren't known he writes of the usual dishes served at that time in history. It includes recipes and cooking instructions. A very brief bio appears for each person.
August 29, 2011
GREAT concept in book topics. The author has chosen famous figures and investigated their last suppers. Each personality (from MLK- JKF- Caesar-Cleopatra, etc) is given a historic review and then a full description of when they died and what they are said to have eaten- followed by the receipes. While this may sound morbid..... it was not. I got a kick out of it. Poor poor Marilyn Monroe.......
January 7, 2012
I was surprised to find that it was a historical cookbook. It gives a historical sketch of several historical characters, their favorite foods, their last meals, and ....recipes for how to duplicate those last meals. I don't know what I was expecting, but the book was free for Kindle and I gave it a shot. I skimmed the history, and skipped the recipes, which made it about a 30 minute read. It wasn't bad, just....not my thing. Rated G
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews