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A Square Meal: A Culinary History of the Great Depression

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A Square Meal: A Culinary History of the Great DepressionJames Beard Foundation Book Award Winner From the author of the acclaimed 97 Orchard and her husband, a culinary historian, an in depth exploration of the greatest food crisis the nation has ever faced the Great Depression and how it transformed America's culinary culture. The decade long Great Depression, a period of shifts in the country's political and social landscape, forever changed the way America eats. Before 1929, America's relationship with

James Beard Foundation Book Award Winner

From the author of the acclaimed 97 Orchard and her husband, a culinary historian, an in-depth exploration of the greatest food crisis the nation has ever faced--the Great Depression--and how it transformed America's culinary culture.

The decade-long Great Depression, a period of shifts in the country's political and social landscape, forever changed the way America eats. Before 1929, America's relationship with food was defined by abundance. But the collapse of the economy, in both urban and rural America, left a quarter of all Americans out of work and undernourished--shattering long-held assumptions about the limitlessness of the national larder.

In 1933, as women struggled to feed their families, President Roosevelt reversed long-standing biases toward government-sponsored "food charity." For the first time in American history, the federal government assumed, for a while, responsibility for feeding its citizens. The effects were widespread. Championed by Eleanor Roosevelt, "home economists" who had long fought to bring science into the kitchen rose to national stature.

Tapping into America's long-standing ambivalence toward culinary enjoyment, they imposed their vision of a sturdy, utilitarian cuisine on the American dinner table. Through the Bureau of Home Economics, these women led a sweeping campaign to instill dietary recommendations, the forerunners of today's Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

At the same time, rising food conglomerates introduced packaged and processed foods that gave rise to a new American cuisine based on speed and convenience. This movement toward a homogenized national cuisine sparked a revival of American regional cooking. In the ensuing decades, the tension between local traditions and culinary science has defined our national cuisine--a battle that continues today.

A Square Meal examines the impact of economic contraction and environmental disaster on how Americans ate then--and the lessons and insights those experiences may hold for us today.

A Square Meal features 25 black-and-white photographs.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
Published: 08/15/2017
ISBN: 9780062216427
Pages: 336
Weight: 0.55lbs
Size: 7.90h x 5.20w x 0.90d
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SKU: 44990109534

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Samantha
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Actually Cooling Pillow
Size: Queen (1 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling)
This is a really nice pillow, I was worried it would be too soft or too firm but it's just right and it's actually cooling, it feels cool every time I touch it. I've noticed an improvement in sleep since using it. Would recommend!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2026
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Tyler and Kaela
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Repurchased in King Size – Still Love These Cooling Pillows
Size: King (2 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling), Size: King (2 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling)
After using the queen-size version of these pillows for over a year, we purchased the king-size set when we upgraded to a king mattress. Both my husband and I really like them. The cooling feature works well, and we like that each side feels different—when I run cold, I use the softer bamboo side, while my husband prefers the cooler side since he tends to sleep hot. They fit well in our king-size pillowcases and feel supportive in all sleeping positions, whether I’m on my stomach, side, or back. I also appreciate that you can remove some of the filling to adjust the firmness. The covers are washable, which makes them easy to maintain. Overall, we’re very happy with this repurchase and the long-lasting comfort.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2026
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Mystery Fan
New York, US
★★★★★ 3
Not great at cooling
Size: Queen (2 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling)
Each pillow cover has 2 sides, one marked for cooling, and the other a different fabric. The cooling side is about the same effectiveness as having a silk or satin pillow cover. It's only cool when you first touch it. The cooling side doesn't seem to absorb or wick moisture, so if you are sweaty - it keeps the moisture in place. You'll definitely want a regular pillow case over the pillow cover. In fact, if you suffer from night sweats, the non-cooling side is actually more comfortable. The pillow fill is ample, and simple to squish around for more support for your neck, etc. Think bean bag. But it will retain your impression after use. I find I need to do as I did when I had down pillows - give it a few good shakes in the morning when I make the bed to get it evened out for the coming night. In all, it is a well-made and comfortable pillow to sleep on, but it does not excel in cooling.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2026
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Carol C
Carnegie, US
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excellent pillows i bought two sets!!
Size: Firm Queen (2 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling)
I ordered these for my son who has neck issues and has gone through so many pillows trying to find one that he liked. They’re heavy, so i was worried that they might be “too” heavy to be able to sleep on comfortably, so I ordered a second set, one firmer than the other (just in case) and gave him a set for Xmas and he loved the first set so much without even trying the less firm ones.He also needs the cooling factor and these offered that, too. They are filled with pieces of memory foam (tons of it) and each pillow can be modified by removing some of the foam. The covers are beautiful, high quality fabric with a zipper so ts easy to remove or replace the foam pieces. The size is perfect and they keep their shape. I kept the second set i ordered rather than returning them and i love the pillows. I actually modified two by removing some of the foam pieces. I kept the foam pieces in a zippered pillow protector and i can always adjust mine when or if i need to. 1000% love these.
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Asha
Los Angeles, US
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The Perfect Firm Pillow l
Size: Queen (1 Count), Color: Original White (Cooling)
It is everything it claims to be, cool, comfortable and strong. I got this for my husband first, he loves it and then got one for my son, he uses it to support his knees and has been sleeping much better since then. They both needed a firm pillow that is not super soft, firm but not achy. Finally found the perfect one.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2026

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