F Is for France: A Curious Cabinet of French Wonders

.atwell follows up her previous look at the intricacies of French life (They Eat Horses, Don't They??) with a compendium of French wonders. Beginning with absinthe, covering everything from garlic to jokes, and ending with Zinedine Zidane, this handbook provides a plethora of insights. Highlights include the numerous entries on food, including fast food, as the author dispenses with the myth that the French don't eat it. In fact, France follows only America in love for the popular fast food chain McDonald's. Entries on baguettes and beef are followed by "Brains, Etc.," which explores various French delicacies including snails, frogs' legs, and the more exotic head cheese, cows' udders, and pigs' intestines. Eatwell supplies rules, lists, charts, and recipes that feature Alexandre Dumas's recipe for elephants' feet, the top ten champagne brands, the top ten most popular cheeses, and rules for serving French wine.