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Holistic Guidance - The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food
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List Price: $24.99
Our Price: $16.49
Your Save: $ 8.50 ( 34% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Twelve
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 641.5951
EAN: 9780446580076
ISBN: 0446580074
Label: Twelve
Manufacturer: Twelve
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 320
Publication Date: 2008-03-03
Publisher: Twelve
Studio: Twelve
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Editorial Reviews:
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If you think McDonald's is the most ubiquitous restaurant experience in America, consider that there are more Chinese restaurants in America than McDonalds, Burger Kings, and Wendys combined. New York Times reporter and Chinese-American (or American-born Chinese). In her search, Jennifer 8 Lee traces the history of Chinese-American experience through the lens of the food. In a compelling blend of sociology and history, Jenny Lee exposes the indentured servitude Chinese restaurants expect from illegal immigrant chefs, investigates the relationship between Jews and Chinese food, and weaves a personal narrative about her own relationship with Chinese food. The Fortune Cookie Chronicles speaks to the immigrant experience as a whole, and the way it has shaped our country.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: Substance-Free
Comment: Those who want a serious, thoughtful look at Chinese food and what it means to Chinese and other cultures should look elsewhere; Jennifer 8. Lee's book is nothing but a series of shallow, (sometimes) mildly amusing extended anecdotes.
Ms. Lee's claim that "(chop suey) is still found in some urban Chinese takeouts and in scattered restaurants around the country" is patently false. From Bloomington, Indiana to Hannibal, Missouri to Austin, Texas, I've never been to a Chinese restaurant that didn't serve chop suey. What she seems to think of as an exotic rarity is, in fact, a staple.
This might be charitably chalked up as a harmless error, but it really is exemplary of the careless manner in which the entire book is written. Instead of a detailed acccount of how Chinese food developed and was then brought to the United States and elswhere, she presents what she must think is a series of utterly fascinating stories about various aspects of the cuisine: competition among take out restaurants in 1970's New York City, how fortunes get written, a story about multiple lottery winners who chose their numbers based on their fortunes at Chinese retaurants. As I said before, some of these stories are mildly amusing, but is that enough?
As a final insult, Ms. Lee spends about forty pages searching for the best Chinese restaurant in the world. What was the point in going from Paris to London to Mumbai, India to eat out, often at fancy places frequented by celebrities and Beautiful People? Nothing against Leonardo DiCaprio, but I really don't care where he goes to eat when he's in Paris. Why did this detail make it into the book, and how does eating Chinese at upscale restaurants in various world capitals and financial/cultural centers shed any light on the way Chinese food is eaten by everyday people?
Customer Rating:
Summary: An insightful and fun read
Comment: Jennifer Lee's "The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food" is a delightful read that provides an interesting perspective of American Chinese food. The author covers the origins of Chinese food in the American society, and how it has evolved. She also touched on various aspects of Chinese restaurants in the U.S. - from Chinese delivery guys to the origin of fortune cookies.
This was a insightful read as Lee was very comprehensive in her research. She covered topics such as the origin of General Tso's chicken, the myth of chop suey, and the company that started the soya sauce packets that came with any order of Chinese food. These quirky topics make this book such a fun and delightful read. What was even more important was that she was able to show how Chinese restaurants and food have become a part of the American culture. In addition, her writing was clear and conversational, interjecting facts with personal anecdotes. Highly recommended.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Delighfful and interesting sociological study
Comment: I found this book an interesting glimpse into the world of the USA Chinese restaurants industry, it's workers, and a bit of it's history, as Jennifer went on the hunt for the origin of the fortune cookie. It was an easy, informative, read.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Gave it three stars because it is educating
Comment: I really looked forward to reading this for so many reasons. First, I am of Chinese descent and always wondered about the differences between the food my family ate and what many local restaurants served. Second, Chinese history including immigration stories fascinate me. Third, the sample I downloaded engaged me immediately (I have a kindle). Last, the overwhelming good reviews.
While it started out great, I'm sitting here trying to reconcile myself to the fact that I can't bring myself to finish the book right now (I'm about 1/2 way through). I guess based on the title, I was looking for a fun but informational read. This is not recreational reading and maybe that's just my mistake for thinking it would be.
It reads too much like a collection of long academic essays...all types of details that don't add to the story. Each chapter has an interesting premise but then meanders all over the place interspersing what seems to be every detail of the authors research with large stretches of facts to suit her premise...like a college student supporting her thesis.
I haven't given up, but will put it down for awhile. For me, this is a book that needs to be read a chapter or two at a time. As others have stated, there is a lot of interesting background and facts contained but I agree with others that at a minimum, the book could use a good editor. I personally think the book could've been condensed a lot (readers digest version?).
Of course, for all of those who "think" they know Chinese food, I'd recommend this just for the education :)
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great book about chinese restaurants!
Comment: As the title implies, this book is about the world of chinese world. Everything connected with chinese food is touched upon in this book, and some of it goes into a lot of detail. If you ever eat in chinese restaurants and find yourself interested in some aspect of them, this book is for you!
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