From the eating habits of early humans around the globe, to the pragmatic purpose of pie crust, to the revolutionary fire that drove colonial Americans to take pie to another level, food writer Siegel takes readers on an entertaining, tongue-in-cheek journey through the often-absurd history of everyday foods. With chapters on subjects such as swallowing (the physiological process), pie, breakfast foods (e.g., cereal), corn, honey, vanilla, the feasts of Decembers past, ice cream (not just a dessert but a human right), chili peppers, and tomatoes, Siegel weaves historical and primary source texts with laugh-out-loud commentary to make this account anything but ordinary. Sharing insight on everything from the evolution of home cooking to the scientific history behind chewing, this winning book is as educational as it is entertaining. VERDICT Some of the stories may be familiar, but Siegel’s humor gives them a fresh feel and makes them much more amusing than the average history book. This winning resource is highly recommended for foodies and history buffs who enjoy a side of laughter with their footnotes.