Books and Breads Blog

July 18, 2023

The Poison Machine *** (of 4)

Some authors of historical fiction (see Geraldine Brooks) are so caught up by their research that plot and characters are afterthoughts or cliches applied to...

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July 18, 2023

The End of October by Lawrence Wright *** (of 4)

The End of October is shocking because of its initial accuracy and publication date. Coming into print just before the pandemic, Wright’s novel describes a...

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July 3, 2023

An Immense World by Ed Yong *** (of 4)

Philosophically, a wonderfully provocative account of what other organisms can sense that we humans cannot. Ed Yong introduces us to umwelt the idea that our...

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July 3, 2023

Taste: My Life Through Food *** (of 4)

Beginning with his childhood in the 1960s suburbs of New York City and continuing through the pandemic, Tucci traces his own growth as an eater,...

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June 12, 2023

Gangland by Chuck Hogan *** (of 4)

Based on the true story of Tony Accardo, Al Capone’s protege, the undisputed mob boss of Chicago in the 1970s. Accardo’s mob runs all of...

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May 19, 2023

Dust to Dust

The composition and decomposition of a sourdough culture, my latest essay, is available at The Perfect Loaf.

Sourdoughs and SCOBYs

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May 19, 2023

A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan **** (of 4)

Following more than 100,000 American casualties in WWI and the death of 450,000 Americans from viral influenza in 1918, most Americans roared into the 1920s...

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May 5, 2023

The Perfect Loaf and Me

Maurizio Leo, one of the greatest sourdough recipe makers of our generation, and founder of The Perfect Loaf, has invited me to make regular contributions...

The Perfect Loaf

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May 5, 2023

The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman **** (of 4)

This is the third installation of an investigation by four elderly Brits living in Cooper’s Chase retirement community. The four are all a little stiffer,...

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May 5, 2023

Two Wheels Good *** by Jody Rosen

Jody Rosen really does elucidate the mystery and history of the bicycle. A consistent theme is the bicycle’s lifelong conflict with motorists and pedestrians. Since...

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