Great essay. The Alice B Toklas cookbook is one of my favorite books of all time. I think I have read it at least three times. Yes there is some problematic history, but life is complicated and it still stands as a record of a certain time. It's funny that it never occurred to me to actually try any of the recipes, but to just read them as part of her story. Thanks for sharing.
Whoa. Wow. I am forwarding this to my dad with the instructions "not a skimmer. Read thoroughly." I am inspired by the thoroughness of your writing, how you're not in a hurry to tell the story or give your thoughts. I felt the contrast with today's inane social media and am sobered.
What a gift it is to read your writing, and this piece on Alice B is one of my very favorites - thank you for this wonderful way to start my Friday! Also, your chapter on Aunt Birdie is one of my favorites from that first book - I cherish my well-worn copy! Many, many thanks.
Just closed an exhibition in San Francisco for the 150th birthday of Gertrude with items from my Stein/Toklas collection. There are plans to take it to Alice B. in Palm Springs in the fall. Among the items...the first ever Barbie Gertrude Stein and Barbie Alice B. Toklas!
Great piece. I just found the Alice cookbook in a little free library in Berkeley! I think you are unfortunately wrong about Stein’s supposed support of Hitler. Read Charles Bernstein in Jacket2. The Pétain connection more complicated…anyway I’ve always loved Alice. Looking forward to reading the book inspired by your summary.
Superb essay, Ruth. A zillion years ago I introduced an edition of Toklas with a newly discovered recipe. There must be a copy somewhere in my house...
Thank you Ruth for that wonderful story about Alice B. Toklas! I've just added her cookbook it to my list. Regarding the new restaurant by Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, I took a couple of observation only cooking classes back in the early eighties at a cookware store in Chicago that was taught by either Mary Sue or Susan. At least that is how I remember it, as it was so long ago. One was on soufflés and the other terrines and pâtés. I remember just watching someone make a soufflé was valuable. It would have been around the time they were at Le Perroquet in Chicago.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and thorough writing on Alice and Gertrude. I studied the latter and was often up against the challenges you face, so directly, when writing about the former. Alice is the enigma in an enigmatic world that Gertrude created.
Your writing takes me on a journey every time. This essay is so captivating I woke my wife up to read it. Thank you for bringing song (& snacks) to the silence.
"The Alice B. Toklas Cook Book". bought June 30, 1971, NYC. Favorite recipe: Veal and Pork Meat Loaf has become the staple of family fests, past and present (also fried and roasted breaded chicken) Now 87, my little book is a bit tattered but still in use. Ruth R. is right-- more than a cookbook, rather an outlook on living.
How wonderful this was to read. I bought a beautiful little yellow paperback British edition of The Alice B. Toklas cookbook for 75 cents at the Ashby flea market, sometime in the early 80’s. I wish it had survived my move to New York.
Great essay. The Alice B Toklas cookbook is one of my favorite books of all time. I think I have read it at least three times. Yes there is some problematic history, but life is complicated and it still stands as a record of a certain time. It's funny that it never occurred to me to actually try any of the recipes, but to just read them as part of her story. Thanks for sharing.
Whoa. Wow. I am forwarding this to my dad with the instructions "not a skimmer. Read thoroughly." I am inspired by the thoroughness of your writing, how you're not in a hurry to tell the story or give your thoughts. I felt the contrast with today's inane social media and am sobered.
What a gift it is to read your writing, and this piece on Alice B is one of my very favorites - thank you for this wonderful way to start my Friday! Also, your chapter on Aunt Birdie is one of my favorites from that first book - I cherish my well-worn copy! Many, many thanks.
My favorite cookbook, for years. Lovely article.
Just closed an exhibition in San Francisco for the 150th birthday of Gertrude with items from my Stein/Toklas collection. There are plans to take it to Alice B. in Palm Springs in the fall. Among the items...the first ever Barbie Gertrude Stein and Barbie Alice B. Toklas!
Well, a Barbie couple of these two is pretty amazing to consider.
They're at gertrudeandalice.com
Brilliant.
Great piece. I just found the Alice cookbook in a little free library in Berkeley! I think you are unfortunately wrong about Stein’s supposed support of Hitler. Read Charles Bernstein in Jacket2. The Pétain connection more complicated…anyway I’ve always loved Alice. Looking forward to reading the book inspired by your summary.
Superb essay, Ruth. A zillion years ago I introduced an edition of Toklas with a newly discovered recipe. There must be a copy somewhere in my house...
This read really made the world disappear for the time it took to read it. A truly wonderful read.
Thank you Ruth for that wonderful story about Alice B. Toklas! I've just added her cookbook it to my list. Regarding the new restaurant by Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, I took a couple of observation only cooking classes back in the early eighties at a cookware store in Chicago that was taught by either Mary Sue or Susan. At least that is how I remember it, as it was so long ago. One was on soufflés and the other terrines and pâtés. I remember just watching someone make a soufflé was valuable. It would have been around the time they were at Le Perroquet in Chicago.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and thorough writing on Alice and Gertrude. I studied the latter and was often up against the challenges you face, so directly, when writing about the former. Alice is the enigma in an enigmatic world that Gertrude created.
Beautifully written, and so informative… So many things I have always wondered about those two women especially Alice. Thanks.
Your writing takes me on a journey every time. This essay is so captivating I woke my wife up to read it. Thank you for bringing song (& snacks) to the silence.
"The Alice B. Toklas Cook Book". bought June 30, 1971, NYC. Favorite recipe: Veal and Pork Meat Loaf has become the staple of family fests, past and present (also fried and roasted breaded chicken) Now 87, my little book is a bit tattered but still in use. Ruth R. is right-- more than a cookbook, rather an outlook on living.
How wonderful this was to read. I bought a beautiful little yellow paperback British edition of The Alice B. Toklas cookbook for 75 cents at the Ashby flea market, sometime in the early 80’s. I wish it had survived my move to New York.
Wish you were coming to Colorado Front Range on your book tour.