University of Chicago Press
A Taste for Provence
Key Metrics
- Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz
- University of Chicago Press
- Hardcover
- 9780226322841
- 9.1 X 6.1 X 1.2 inches
- 1.4 pounds
- History > Europe - France
- English
Secure TransactionBook Description
In A Taste for Provence, historian Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz digs into this question and spins a wonderfully appealing tale of how Provence became Provence. The region had previously been regarded as a backwater and known only for its Roman ruins, but in the postwar era authors, chefs, food writers, visual artists, purveyors of goods, and travel magazines crafted a new, alluring image for Provence. Soon, the travel industry learned that there were many ways to roam--and some even involved sitting still. The promise of longer stays where one cooked fresh food from storied outdoor markets became desirable as American travelers sought new tastes and unadulterated ingredients.
Even as she revels in its atmospheric, cultural, and culinary attractions, Horowitz demystifies Provence and the perpetuation of its image today. Guiding readers through books, magazines, and cookbooks, she takes us on a tour of Provence pitched as a new Eden, and she dives into the records of a wide range of visual media--paintings, photographs, television, and film--demonstrating what fueled American enthusiasm for the region. Beginning in the 1970s, Provence--for a summer, a month, or even just a week or two--became a dream for many Americans. Even today as a road well traveled, Provence continues to enchant travelers, armchair and actual alike.
Videos
No Videos
Community reviews
Write a ReviewNo Community reviews