The Man Who Ate Everything: And Other Gastronomic Feats, Disputes, and Pleasurable Pursuits: Amazon.co.uk: Jeffrey Steingarten: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

Jeffrey Steingarten was a lawyer until 1989, when an invitation to write for American Vogue effected his metamorphosis into a food writer--unquestionably a higher form of life. As the self-styled Man Who Ate Everything, he could allow himself no favourite foods nor irrational dislikes; consequently, the first piece in the book describes his heroic efforts to purge himself of all food phobias in preparation for his new post. The Six-Step Programme he devised was largely successful: as a result, kimchi (Korean pickled cabbage), anchovies, Greek food and clams ("I feel a mild horror about what goes on in the moist darkness between the shells of all bivalves...is the horror deeper than I know?) all assumed a place in his diet. He became the "perfect omnivore". Now he seems to travel the world, eating. The Man Who Ate Everything deals to a certain extent with food and cooking, but its real subject (aside from Steingarten himself) is our attitude towards what we eat--what our food choices reveal about us. So he discusses the complex issues surrounding choosing the best brand of bottled water; the pros and cons of cooking "French" fries in horse fat; the deadly toxins that infest a virginal salad. He travels to Alsace in pursuit of le Veritable Choucroute Garni, to Piedmont to join white-truffle hunters, to Kyoto to worship at the shrine of kaiseki ryori, formal Japanese haute cuisine. By turns witty, learned, satirical and riotously farcical, The Man Who Ate Everything is never less than passionate about his subject. --Robin Davidson --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Amazon.co.uk Review

Jeffrey Steingarten was a lawyer until 1989, when an invitation to write for American Vogue effected his metamorphosis into a food writer--unquestionably a higher form of life. As the self-styled Man Who Ate Everything, he could allow himself no favourite foods nor irrational dislikes; consequently, the first piece in the book describes his heroic efforts to purge himself of all food phobias in preparation for his new post. The Six-Step Programme he devised was largely successful: as a result, kimchi (Korean pickled cabbage), anchovies, Greek food and clams ("I feel a mild horror about what goes on in the moist darkness between the shells of all bivalves...is the horror deeper than I know?) all assumed a place in his diet. He became the "perfect omnivore". Now he seems to travel the world, eating. The Man Who Ate Everything deals to a certain extent with food and cooking, but its real subject (aside from Steingarten himself) is our attitude towards what we eat--what our food choices reveal about us. So he discusses the complex issues surrounding choosing the best brand of bottled water; the pros and cons of cooking "French" fries in horse fat; the deadly toxins that infest a virginal salad. He travels to Alsace in pursuit of le Veritable Choucroute Garni, to Piedmont to join white-truffle hunters, to Kyoto to worship at the shrine of kaiseki ryori, formal Japanese haute cuisine. By turns witty, learned, satirical and riotously farcical, The Man Who Ate Everything is never less than passionate about his subject. --Robin Davidson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

Give a copy of this book to ALL your friends 17 Feb 2004

By Peter J Howes

Format:Paperback

Anyone who begins a chapter with the words, 'I like salad, eaten in moderation like bacon or chocolate, about twice a week' ought to be compulsory reading, for Steingarten's insouciant wit makes every chapter in this delightful book an indulgent pleasure. Cheer up your library with this work; give it to friends in hospital who care about real food - Steingarten does, e.g. in Primal Bread he writes: 'The world is divided into two camps: those who can live happily on bread alone and those who also need vegetables, meat, and dairy products. Isaiah and I fall into the first category....' A joy to enjoy, and it's calorie-free.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

The Man Who Can 12 Jan 2011

By Janice Rothwell

Absolutely wonderful. A food critic that would go to the ends of the earth to try something new, devour it and describe every mouthful so well that you feel full after reading.
I learnt more about food from this guy than a lot of the chef's out there.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

This book will make you hungry 4 Aug 1999

By A Customer

Or if it doesn't make you hungry, it will certainly change the way you think about food. Funny and informative, this collection of essays is a treat for foodies everywhere. The author looks at food myths and cultures, shares recipes and ideas but most of all shares his love for food.

Food writing at its best

Steingarten's style is like none other I've come across, and this is a good thing. I'm a huge fan of Bourdain, Ruhlman et al but Jeffrey Steingaarten is a step above them all. Read more

Published 19 months ago by uncle_moe

If you only buy one book....

Never read this book in bed... you will get hungry and start cooking!

This it seems is a collection of foodie articles of the highest quality writing on a variety of... Read more

Published on 4 Jan 2007 by ingram

Brilliant

I bought this book in a store but it was so excellent that i did buy its follow up from Amazon as i read it in one weekend and have now been down the local supermarket for all the... Read more

Published on 1 July 2004 by Timothy

This made me hungry!

A great book. One must remember that it's actually a collection of separate magazine articles, so it's somewhat unfair to try and review it as a single cohesive critique of food... Read more

Published on 24 Nov 2000

If I had to research for a book, this would be the one.

The idea of driving round Alsace, staying in gorgeous hotels and trying out different forms of choucroute on a regular basis, is one that I'm particularly keen on. Read more

Published on 12 Feb 2000

I loved this book.

I have loved reading this book and in places it has made me laugh out loud. I like the variety of the articles and I am totally enamoured of the author's passion for his subject. Read more

Published on 20 Sep 1999 by Cassie's friend

Failed to match up to the hype

I actually though this was quite a good piece of writing. However I didn't think the critiques on the cover were talking about the same book! Read more

Published on 23 July 1999

Succulent, firm and nourishing.

This is a glorious book. A quest for pleasure and perfection. A desperate attempt to harvest the ultimate sensations from the corners of this shrinking and ever sanitised world. Read more

Published on 27 Jun 1999

The Man Who Ate Everything: And Other Gastronomic Feats, Disputes, and Pleasurable Pursuits [Paperback]

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