Book Review: Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée by Thomas J. Craughwell

October 8, 2012
Article first published asBook Review:Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée: How a Founding Father and His Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to Americaby Thomas J. Craughwellon Blogcritics.

About:
Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée: How a Founding Father and His Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to America by Thomas J. Craughwell is a non-fiction book which covers the time Jefferson spent as an ambassador in Europe from a culinary point of view. At the time, Hemings was 20 years younger then Jefferson and brother to the young Sally Hemings.

The pub­lisher is giv­ing away one copy to three (3) winners of this book –to enter fill out the Raf­fle­copt­ter form at the end of the post

  • 256 pages
  • Publisher:Quirk Books
  • Language:English
  • ISBN-10:1594745781
Book Review Thomas Jeffersons Creme Brulee
My rating for Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée4
Buy this book in paper or electronic format*
More Books By Thomas J. Craughwell

Thoughts:
I was excited to read Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée: How a Founding Father and His Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to America by Thomas J. Craughwell, I have read a few books about Thomas Jefferson but never from this perspective. I even went to the local liquor store and picked up Thomas Jefferson’s Tavern Ale from the Yards Brewing Co. in preparation (an ale made from recipes found in a tavern by Monticello which Jefferson used to frequent. Smooth, medium body, unique, bitter and interesting).

The introduction to Jefferson’s culinary palate was actually a children’s’ book I bought our daughter before we went to Monticello (Jefferson’s home) which quickly became a family favorite. The book,Thomas Jefferson’s Feast by Frank Murphy, has 2-3 pages about Jefferson’s dumb waiter which was the big draw for my kids during the tour.

Thomas Jefferson's Feast

It is well known that Thomas Jefferson liked the good things in life, wine, cheese, food and company. While this book is not an academic treatment of the Founding Father it is a very interesting book about a fascinating man who found himself in the middle of history making events on both sides of the Atlantic.

The story revolves around Jefferson’s time in Europe, especially France and, as the title suggests, concentrates on his culinary exploits as well as an overview lesson in the French Revolution. The other main character in the book is Jefferson’s slave, James Hemming, who mastered French cooking and the French language. After finishing to read this book, I actually wanted to learn more about James who seems to me never got his full due for introducing the French cuisine to America.

I loved the culinary anecdotes in the book, the introduction of the potato to Europe, Jefferson’s developing taste in wine , such exotic dishes as pommel frites (French fries) and macaroni and cheese (which were served in fancy dinners). I did not realize that in exchange for James mastering the secrets of the French kitchen, Jefferson promised him his freedom (and eventually even made good on the promise) as long as he taught other slaves his skills.

I found the book lacking on the culinary exploits of Mr. Jefferson until I read the appendix. Strangely enough, the appendix was what I was expecting the book to be and added much to the narrative and tied up the book together nicely.

The book is short (less than 200 pages including the appendix) with a few recipes to boot and is an excellent addition to any library, culinary or history. The relationship between Jefferson and Hemings is one of the strangest, yet productive one I have encountered during my readings on this particular time period.

Related Reads:
Amer­i­can Sphinx: The Char­ac­ter of Thomas Jef­fer­son by Joseph J. Ellis

Synopsis:
Thomas Jefferson is known as a man of many roles: Founding Father, philosopher, politician, President, slave owner and gentleman farmer. But Jefferson was also a gourmand. In 1784, when appointed to be a minister in France, Jefferson, accompanied by his slave James Hemings embarked on a grand adventure with many historical outcomes.

While James Hemingswas learning to be a master chef, Jefferson became familiar with French cuisine, wine, culinary tools and gadgets as well as agricultural cultivation techniques. When the two men returned, they brought with them a colorful narrative as well as new delicacies such as pasta, French fries, champagne, macaroni and cheese and, of course, crème brûlée.

Buy this book inpaperorelectronicformat*
More Books By Thomas J. Craughwell

Give­away

  • Give­away ends: Octo­ber 15 2012

  • US/Canada Ship­ping Addresses Only

  • No PO Boxes

  • Win­ners will have 24 hours to write back with their address, oth­er­wise an alter­nate win­ner will be picked

Congratulations:name as email@, bringhamsweeps@, mbaron@

Zohar – Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I got this book for free.
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account

BOOK BLOGGERS – Have you read Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlée? If so link up your review below:

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13 Comments

  • RyanOctober 8, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    I’m such a slacker. I have this book, but haven’t even started on it yet.

  • CarlOctober 8, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    I’d love to get a look at this book. My email is: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

  • Jessica MOctober 8, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    What an interesting subject for a book! I’ll have to check it out — and thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    Jessica M.
    jmartinez0415 [at] gmail [dot] com

  • Andrew T. KuligowskiOctober 8, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    Sounds like an interesting concept for a book …

  • HattieOctober 9, 2012 at 10:52 am

    I would love to read about French cuisine, Thomas Jefferson and a slave. Gollee, what a yummy book, have my fingers crossed.

    1dozenstars.gmail.com

  • MargaretOctober 9, 2012 at 10:52 am

    This is an interesting book. Haven;t heard of it before so glad for the giveaway!

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Aliya D.October 11, 2012 at 12:11 am

    What an interesting prespective on a great man and American history through cuisine… I would love to read this. Thanks!

    Aliya D.
    aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca

  • Leona OlsonOctober 11, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    I could not find a Raf­fle­copt­ter form at the end of the post.
    Hope this works. I understand he also had a garden that had flower and vegetables. Appreciate the give away.

    • Zohar - Man of la BookOctober 11, 2012 at 8:37 pm

      Hi Leona,

      it’s there, maybe the location where you were at blocked it (my work does).

  • Anita YanceyOctober 14, 2012 at 10:50 am

    Love to read the book. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  • Reanne BurnettOctober 14, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    Very cool! Thanks for the chance.

    bringhamsweeps (at) yahoo *dot* com

  • Andrew T. KuligowskiOctober 18, 2012 at 6:13 am

    Thanks, Zohar – I’m looking forward to reading it.

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