Smokestack Lightning: Adventures In The Heart Of Barbecue Country

Rating:
Summary: Buy it now
Review: Great book, not for recipies but for a trip through real barbque country. The book is part travel literature, part regional cooking essay and part American social essay by two guys who show a love for the history and lore of barbque. If you consider yourself a lover of Barbque, not grilling mind you, you will love reading this book.

Rating:
Summary: Waste
Review: I was excited to buy this book but very let down when I got it. Don't waste you money.

Rating:
Summary: Good read....if you ignore the opinionated tone....
Review: Mr. Elie has written a book that cuts a wide swathe through the regional barbecue landscape. While some of the information is good, and the book does provide a curious read, the regional nature of barbecue lends to the book's inadequacy. What any student of regional foodways should understand is that food traditions cannot be subject to a single standard. Especially a standard levied by an outsider. Unfortunately, Elie proceeds to "damn" local barbecue joints for their poor food, despite the high regard the restaurant holds in the local community. Mr. Elie's culinary arrogance extends not only to judgments on food, but he extends a patronizing attitude towards many of the people he meets, including a truly offensive treatment of the speech patterns of the Gullah in the SC lowcountry. While a moderately curious read, it will not remain on my shelf.