The Food of a Younger Land

In the throes of the Great Depression, a make-work initiative for authors - called "America Eats" - was created by the WPA to chronicle the eating habits, traditions, and struggles of local Americans. Mark Kurlansky, author of Cod, unearths this forgotten literary treasure, chronicling a bygone era when Americans had never heard of fast food or grocery superstores. Kurlansky brings together the WPA contributions - featuring New York automats and Georgia Coca-Cola parties, Maine lobsters and Montana beaver tails - and brilliantly showcases them with authentic recipes, anecdotes, and photographs.