Ice Cream: A Global History (Edible)

I got this book to discover the reason a frozen treat was called “hokey pokey.” I learned that and so much more. The author has a friendly and accessible tone that made it enjoyable to read. It is also amazingly researched and has a truly global scope. I kept exclaiming as I read, that is amazing or who would have thought. I wanted to know about hokey pokey because my mother-in-law had memories of helping her father sell hokey pokies at a camp ground when she was 4 or 5 in the 1920s. She remembered it was a frozen treat on a stick. Read the book to learn more about why it really is what’s it all about.

Became curious to learn the history of ice cream, a world wide popular dessert or snack.Interesting and easy to read as I am enjoying a dish of chocolate ice cream

In her entertaining and very informative history, Laura Weiss captures not only the history of ice cream, from early ices to mass produced iced creams to today's artisan flavors (roquefort and honey, avocado), she also captures the spirit of the different times during which ice cream rose to become the global sensation and best seller that it is today. The images are wonderful, too. Long after my banana pecan ice cream cone has melted, I will still be perusing her book

You'll never look at ice cream the same way again. This little gem of a book is everything you never dreamed there was to know about ice cream. It covers the fascinating history of this universal dessert favorite, long available only to the elite . The evolution of the process of acquiring and storing ice, the development of frozen confections from ice drinks in ancient times to the modern creations of Ben and Jerry's, the variations on the theme of ice cream concocted in different countries - all render the book richly informative and entertaining. The more ambitious reader will try some of the recipes provided at the end, and wonder how to get a recipe for the Japanese octopus flavored version.

Wonderfully written and researched, this book has so many additional treats, including quotations about ice cream to start each chapter, historical illustrations and photographs, and recipes from the 1700a to the present day. Totally enjoyable!

I bought 2 copies and will probably buy more, because Ice Cream is a perfect gift of a book. Its photos, artwork and illustrations make it beautiful to look at, and the writing makes it a fun and fascinating read. Full of interesting quotes, cultural references, and well-researched facts, Ice Cream tells the rather surprising story of the frozen confection's beginnings and forever appeal, covering continents, recipes, and anecdotes in its wide sweep.

As one popular ice cream chain says: I like it, I love it, I gotta have it! I enjoyed the details provided beyond how to make ice cream. It was interesting and very informative.

I loved reading Ice Cream: A Global History! It was as fast-paced as a "whodunit", filled with fascinating stories and facts (the invention of Eskimo Pies, why there are 31 Baskin and Robbin flavors, how the US Navy built a floating ice cream parlour during WWII, to name a few) -- and it brought back fond memories of summer evenings with all of us kids lined up at the Good Humour truck. I might even be inspired to try one of the recipes -- since I don't own an ice cream maker, it won't be the Roquefort and Honey Ice Cream (sounds so intriguing), so maybe a Purple Cow!!!

Interesting book. Was a gift for a ice cream shop owner.