BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS NEW COOK BOOK – A PRIMARY SOURCE

In 1965, 42 years ago, Dear Wife and I received, as a wedding gift, a copy of Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, 1962, newly revised and in third edition.
We have used this book at least weekly ever since, used it and used it until it is literally falling apart. But we love it and continue to use it.

There are recipes in there that we will never tire of.

This is a book which says a lot about things we have done together for over four decades, and about things which we have done with friends and relatives.

A month or two ago we were in the checkout line in Border’s [I hope the apostrophe is in the right place].

I looked down and lo and behold, now there is a phrase, what did I see but a stack of Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, 1930-2005, 75th Anniversary Edition Limited.

On sale!!!!!!!!!

Well, I have wanted an updated version for some time now, if for no other reason than to compare the two books and to see what changes have occurred in the culinary habits of our Dear Republic.

Well, I had no idea.

I bought the book, took it home, and opened up a window on American culture and civilization.

For here are two books which set forth a detailed picture of how the American family dines and entertains and watches calories and carbs and exchanges. Here is a thorough documentation of customs and diet and protocols and so on which are practiced by millions of American households.

In other words, for a few dollars, those interested in the American way of life can equip themselves with a two-volume library which documents nearly a half-century of important aspects of the lives of themselves, of their parents, and even of their grandparents.

These books are in every sense primary sources.

As an old teacher of history, I know the value of the primary source over the secondary.

Primary sources: “…primary sources are…documents created during the period that is being studied…” by the people who were living and doing what they are documenting, coming down to us unfiltered by the passage of time.

Look up a recipe in the old edition and remember a sweet moment or two when you were young.

Look up the same recipe in the new edition and note how our culture has, in many instances, matured and become more sophisticated and nuanced.

Maybe we have too.

How sweet it is!