An extremely engrossing and well-ordered compilation of cookbooks written by African Americans, and definitely worth a read. The earliest example, 'The House Servant's Directory' is from 1827, and is followed by a guide to 'Hotel Management.' Authors included are celebrity not-chefs like Mahalia Jackson and Pearl Bailey, as well as the legendary chef and restaurant superstar Leah Chase.

I found [b:Soul to Soul: A Soul Food Vegetarian Cookbook|2603183|Soul to Soul A Soul Food Vegetarian Cookbook|Mary Burgess|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1275732701s/2603183.jpg|2627823] especially interesting, and will borrow a copy to read via inter-library loan. A vegetarian soul food cookbook from 1976!

The books are all thoughtfully chronicled. There are not too many recipes, as this is more a study of African American cookbooks than a cookbook. The covers often speak volumes about the history of the USA.

**eARC Netgalley** ( )

Many thanks to NetGalley, the University of Texas Press and Toni Tipton-Martin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I went in thinking that this book would have more recipes than it does. The history of cookbooks and their authors was interesting in places, but fell flat in others. Really liked seeing the old cookbooks from way back when.This would not be a keep in the kitchen book, but a nightstand stack book. ( )

OK, not exactly what I expected. Turned out to be an extended bibliography of African-American cookbooks, with and without "white wash." But I read the whole thing.