This ready reference objectively explores the American obsession through products, corporations and entrepreneurs, social history, popular culture, organizations, issues, politics, commercialism and consumerism, and much more.
Preface Acknowledgments List of Entries List of Entries by Topic Introduction Chronology The Encyclopedia Glossary Selected Bibliography Resource Guide Index
Andrew F. Smith is an independent scholar and speaker specializing in education, history, and culinary themes. He is the author of several books on popular foods, such as Popped Culture: A Social History of Popcorn in America (1999), Souper Tomatoes: The Story of America's Favorite Food (2000), and Peanuts: The Illustrious History of the Goober Pea (2002). He was also the editor in chief of The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America (2004).
The entries are alphabetically starting with A&W Root Beer
(A&W was the first fast food franchise) and ending with Yum!
Brands, Inc. (the world's largest fast food company). Most entries
are a couple paragraphs in length, and suggested readings follow
each one. Boldface terms within an entry have their own entries
within the encyclopedia. The volume begins with an alphabetical
list of all the entries, followed by a list of entries by topic,
and an introduction to the origin of fast food and junk food. A
chronology starts with the founding of the Schweppes Company in
1783, and ends with the three major soft drink companies that
agreed to a ban on selling sweetened sodas in schools in 2006.
Includes a glossary. Highly recommended. All collections; all
levels.
*Choice*
In approximately 250 A-to-Z entries, each ranging from several
paragraphs to several pages in length, Smith covers specific junk
and fast foods (e.g., Snickers, M&Ms) and companies (e.g.,
Mars, McDonald's) as well as broader topics, such as the
environmental and nutritional effects of these industries. Each
entry includes at least one suggestion for further reading; a
glossary of terms and a chronology of important events are a nice
touch. Smaller libraries and libraries on a budget will find that
information on some of the subjects here can also be found in other
sources, e.g., Smith's Oxford work, but those needing a source
focusing solely on the topic of junk food will find this fun and
fascinating encyclopedia very useful. For academic and public
libraries.
*Library Journal*
[A] valuable contribution which will be helpful to a wide range of
readers and students
*Reference Reviews*
Fast food is ready-to-eat foods served promptly after ordering.
Alphabetically arranged entries cover the types of junk food
(Extruded snacks, Ginger ale, Hot dogs); specific brands (Moon Pie,
Mounds Bar, Mountain Dew); companies (Frito-Lay, Kentucky Fried
Chicken, Panda Express); health issues (Diabetes, Foodborne
illnesses); and a variety of other related topics, from Animal
rights movement, Anti-unionization, and Architecture and design to
Sports sponsorships, Vending machines, and Waste. In addition to an
alphabetical list of entries, there is a list of entries by topic
(for example, Bakery Goods, Beverages). A chronology highlights
milestones in the fast-food and junk-food industry….The volume
concludes with a glossary, selected bibliography, resource guide,
and an index. This would be ideal for public libraries as well as
undergraduate and high-school libraries.
*Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin*
[T]his volume provides a valuable record of the decline of the
American diet over the twentieth century, with the transition from
junk food as an occasional treat to junk food as a replacement for
real food. There is a fine entry on gross-out candy, a new
phenomenon of deliberately revolting confectionary; and a coolly
disturbing account of hamburgers….Smith confirms that, with junk
food, the joy and the horror are never far apart.
*Times Literary Supplement*
From uniforms and conformity to packaging and pricing, common
business practices are explained. Articles on automobiles,
drive-ins, films and toys explore the impact of fast food chains on
popular culture. Growing health issues are examined in essays on
cholesterol, diabetes, nutritional guidelines and obesity. Other
concerns include factory farming, globalization and genetically
modified foods. Boycotts, lawsuits, protests and politics are just
a few of the issues examined. This concise guide is suitable for
high school, public and academic libraries.
*Lawrence Looks at Books*
[A] fascinating examination of food culture in America….Readers
will experience a variety of emotions while perusing this book --
nostalgia for the early days of the hamburger and childhood candy
favorites as well as abhorrence at the descriptions of factory
farming and the negative health effects of a 'super size-me'
mentality. The sheer scope of information available here makes this
book a must-have resource. The extensive bibliography and suggested
readings will be invaluable tools for further research.
*VOYA*
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