Cheese Chronicles is a must-read for every wannabe musician, for musicians who still climb in the back of the van on their way to split 60 bucks four ways. And for those who have either made it or quit it, what remains is a dose of reality and what the dream is about.

The Cheese Chronicles is an insider's look at the burgeoning world of American cheese from one lucky person who has seen more wedges and wheels, visited more cheesemakers, and tasted more delicious (and occasionally stinky) American cheese than anyone else. Liz Thorpe, second in command at New York's renowned Murray's Cheese, has used her notes and conversations from hundreds of tastings spanning nearly a decade to fashion this odyssey through the wonders of American cheese. Offering more than eighty profiles of the best, the most representative, and the most important cheesemakers, Thorpe chronicles American cheesemaking from the brave foodie hobbyists of twenty years ago (who put artisanal cheese on the map) to the carefully cultivated milkers and makers of today. Thorpe travels to the nation's cheese farms and factories, four-star kitchens and farmers' markets, bringing you along for the journey. In her quest to explore cheesemaking, she high-lights the country's greatest cheeses and concludes that today's cheesemakers can help provide more nourishing and sensible food for all Americans. Steve Jenkins, author of the celebrated Cheese Primer, calls this "the best book about cheese you'll ever read." The Cheese Chronicles is a cultural history of an industry that has found breakout success and achieved equal footing with its European cousins.

Before there was Lois Lowry’s The Giver or M. T. Anderson’s Feed, there was Robert Cormier’s I Am the Cheese, a subversive classic that broke new ground for YA literature. A boy’s search for his father becomes a desperate journey to unlock a secret past. But the past must not be remembered if the boy is to survive. As he searches for the truth that hovers at the edge of his mind, the boy—and readers—arrive at a shattering conclusion. “An absorbing, even brilliant job. The book is assembled in mosaic fashion: a tiny chip here, a chip there. . . . Everything is related to something else; everything builds and builds to a fearsome climax. . . . [Cormier] has the knack of making horror out of the ordinary, as the masters of suspense know how to do.”—The New York Times Book Review “A horrifying tale of government corruption, espionage, and counter espionage told by an innocent young victim. . . . The buildup of suspense is terrific.”—School Library Journal, starred review An ALA Notable Children’s Book A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Horn Book Fanfare A Library of Congress Children’s Book of the Year A Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award Nominee

From America’s most engaging authority on cheese, comes a groundbreaking book destined to become a classic.

A collection of essays about Boonetown. A small southern town with more limousines than taxis, more buggies than bicycles and more church signs than street signs. You will meet the ladies who lunch and the men who drink morning coffee; the museum curator who keeps the dinosaur egg in the bank vault and the woman who runs the local TV station from her garage. Through each story you will get to know the author, too, as he takes us on this journey through his hometown.

Behind every traditional type of cheese there is a fascinating story. By examining the role of the cheesemaker throughout world history and by understanding a few basic principles of cheese science and technology, we can see how different cheeses have been shaped by and tailored to their surrounding environment, as well as defined by their social and cultural context. Cheese and Culture endeavors to advance our appreciation of cheese origins by viewing human history through the eyes of a cheese scientist. There is also a larger story to be told, a grand narrative that binds all cheeses together into a single history that started with the discovery of cheese making and that is still unfolding to this day. This book reconstructs that 9000-year story based on the often fragmentary information that we have available. Cheese and Culture embarks on a journey that begins in the Neolithic Age and winds its way through the ensuing centuries to the present. This tour through cheese history intersects with some of the pivotal periods in human prehistory and ancient, classical, medieval, renaissance, and modern history that have shaped western civilization, for these periods also shaped the lives of cheesemakers and the diverse cheeses that they developed. The book offers a useful lens through which to view our twenty-first century attitudes toward cheese that we have inherited from our past, and our attitudes about the food system more broadly. This refreshingly original book will appeal to anyone who loves history, food, and especially good cheese.

""The Life of Cheese" is the definitive work on America's artisanal food revolution. Heather Paxson's engaging stories are as rich, sharp, and well-grounded as the product she scrutinizes. A must read for anyone interested in fostering a sustainable food system." Warren Belasco, author of "Meals to Come: A History of the Future of Food" "Heather Paxson's lucid and engaging book, "The Life of Cheese," is a gift to anyone interested in exploring the wonderful and wonderfully complex realities of artisan cheesemaking in the United States. Paxson deftly integrates careful considerations of the importance of sentiment, value and craft to the work of cheesemakers with vivid stories and lush descriptions of their farms, cheese plants and cheese caves. While she beguiles you with the stories and tastes of cheeses from Vermont, Wisconsin and California, she also asks you to envision a post-pastoral ethos in the making. This ethos reconsiders contemporary beliefs about America's food commerce and culture, reimagines our relationship to the natural world, and redefines how we make, eat, and appreciate food. For cheese aficionados, food activists, anthropologists and food scholars alike, reading "The Life of Cheese" will be a transformative experience." Amy Trubek, author of "The Taste of Place: A Cultural Journey into Terroir"

EXPLORE THE WORLD OF CHEESE BY ASKING YOURSELF ONE SIMPLE QUESTION: WHAT CHEESES DO I ALREADY LOVE? This is the first book of its kind to be organized not by country, milk type, or any other technical classification. The Book of Cheese maps the world of cheese using nine familiar favorites, what author Liz Thorpe calls the Gateway Cheeses. From basics like Swiss, blue, and cheddar, Liz leads the way to more adventurous types. Love Brie? Liz shows you how to find other Brie-like cheeses, from the mild Moses Sleeper to the pungent Fromage de Meaux. Her revolutionary approach allows food lovers to focus on what they really care about: finding more cheeses to enjoy. Complete with flavor and aroma wheels, charts guiding you through different intensities and availabilities, and gorgeous photography, this is the only book on cheese you will ever need.

Platters and Boards — Entertaining dishes and party dishes your guests will love Entertaining and party dishes from Platters and Boards: Celebrated author and food blogger Shelly Westerhausen shares the secrets to creating casually chic spreads anyone can make and everyone will enjoy (and envy) in her bestselling Platters and Boards cookbook. This visual cornucopia of a cookbook is the guide to entertaining with effortless style. Platters and Boards is an inspiring resource for throwing unforgettable get-togethers: Organized by time of day, 40 contemporary arrangements are presented with gorgeous photography, easy-to-prepare recipes, suggested meat and drink pairings, and notes on preparation and presentation. Helpful advice includes: Tips on portioning Guides to picking surfaces and vessels Recommendations for pairing complementary textures and flavors A handy chart featuring board suggestions for a variety of occasions (from holiday parties to baby showers) Fans of Cook Beautiful, The Art of the Cheese Plate, InStyle Parties, Magnolia Table, and Cravings will love Platters and Boards.

A true celebration of cheese, this illustrated book features 50 cheeses from around the world, along with interesting tidbits, tips for enjoying them, and ways to create unique cheese plates for any palate. This delightful love letter to cheese is a delicious companion for any cheese lover and covers everything from favorite standbys (Brie, Cheddar, Gouda) to European delicacies (Manchego, Tallegio, and Tomme de Savoie). Each of the 50 cheeses is accompanied by a sophisticated illustration along with history, tasting notes, and pairing suggestions. Cheese, Illustrated also includes plenty of cheese plate suggestions from around the world, with helpful tips for creating delicious boards featuring a variety of cheese styles. Whether you're looking for a special cheese to savor, several options to share with friends, or just a new way to enjoy one of the world's most perfect foods, this book is just the thing – alongside a cheese knife, of course. CHEESE IS FOREVER: A perennial favorite, cheese is both a comfort food and a way to try new things. It's a favorite snack, a staple for easy meals, a treat to enjoy just for yourself, or a bite to share with others. This book celebrates all kinds of cheeses, from the well-loved to the almost unknown, and offers plenty of delicious ways to enjoy them for years to come. MAKES A STATEMENT: Whether it's displayed on a coffee table next to a candle and some comfy throws, propped up next to a cheese board shared with friends, or arranged with other cookbooks on a shelf, this beautifully illustrated book is just as fun to look at as it is to read. EVERYONE LOVES CHEESE: There's a reason cheese is one of the most popular foods in the world, and this book embraces the timeless appeal that cheese offers to everyone, from the mac and cheese lover to the cultured blue cheese enthusiast. With 50 cheeses to learn about and enjoy, plus cheese boards and pairing suggestions to try and share, there's something here for every palate. Perfect for: cheese lovers of all ages; people looking for a sweet hostess, birthday, or holiday gift for a cheese fanatic; fans of cook's illustrated-style food illustration