Keeping Hearth and Home in Old Alabama: A Practical Primer for Daily Living

This is based on my upcoming review in First Draft Magazine:KEEPING HEARTH AND HOME IN OLD ALABAMA by Carol Padgett. Menasha Ridge Press, Birmingham, Alabama. 2002. ISBN0-8732-522-2. At first glance, this seems to be one of those pre-packagedbooks of old-time advice and recipes that could be reproduced foreach state in the Union--just change the name "Alabama" towhatever state you want to insert. However, though this is a wise marketing strategy, this bookis somewhat personalized for Alabama, making it worthwhile forthe historical footnotes it contains, as well as for itsentertaining recipes and bits of wisdom. Where else would you be reminded that, because of the powerof "White Privilege," many old Southern recipes developed byblack slaves and domestics were credited to the white familieswho passed them down the generations? This is something toponder. Where else would you find advice from Harriet Beecher Stoweon how to boil water properly? Where else would you learn thatasbestos is best in protecting your stove from setting the houseon fire? And you'll be grateful to learn that a dining table"should be firm and solid and not so shaky that the guests fearsome catastrophe." So much for the advice I got from my wife:always carry a matchbook to dinner, in case the table wobbles andyou have to level it. In other words, this is a browser's book, a book for thewaiting room or the bath room. You can pick it up and learnsomething totally useless almost anywhere in the book--and oncein a while you'll be startled with a useful piece of information:"Many children form habits which are not nice, such as spittingon the floor...and yawning." We have to be thankful for smallimprovements over the past century. --Jim Reed, author of DAD'S TWEED COAT: SMALL WISDOMS HIDDEN COMFORTS UNEXPECTED JOYS Learn more at: jimreedbooks.com

If you are curious on how your great grandmother, or great-great grandmother lived, this is a must read. Full of interesting recipes, household hints, protocol and family rearing tips of the 1900's. This book is one of a series (several different states have been written about) The book is written in an easy to read format, and would be enjoyable for anyone over 12 years old. This book has some humor and is written for the layman, and not the college student. This book may also be of value for someone writing historical fiction novels. If you are a romantic, and love reading books and watching movies set in the 1900's, this book is for you! Great Value! I am looking forward to reading more in the series. I give it 5 Stars!