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| The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food | 
 enlarge | Author: Jennifer 8 Lee
Publisher: Twelve
Category: Book
List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $12.05
You Save: $12.94 (52%)
New (51) Used (17) from $11.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  52 reviews
Sales Rank: 6271
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6 x 1.2
ISBN: 0446580074
Dewey Decimal Number: 641.5951
EAN: 9780446580076
ASIN: 0446580074
Publication Date: March 3, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Early PAPERBACK! The publish date is not until 3-23-09.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Fascinating exploration of the world of American Chinese food March 24, 2008
What - you didn't know that Chinese food in America isn't *real* Chinese food? The author, Jennifer 8. Lee, chronicles her fascination with all things Chinese food in America (and beyond) in her accounts from the origins of the fortune cookie (Japan, *not* San Francisco), how a fortune cookie's fortune lucky numbers lead to 110 people winning powerball, finding the the real story behind General Tsao and his famous chicken dish, amongst many other stories.
Along the way, Lee's enthusiasm and humor in discovering the "truth" is infectious. Additionally, those interested in Chinese-American history, from the Gold Rush to present day, will learn a lot. Chronicles will no doubt be an added welcome to the Asian-American history canon.
Highly entertaining romp into a world that we are familiar with but don't really know March 23, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Fortune Cookie Chronicles is just terrific. I read it in two sittings (I did get up to use the toilet, so I don't know if that is really two sittings or not).
Jennifer 8. Lee tracked down so much cool information. My wife is Japanese and we lived in Japan for 7 years and Hong Kong for two. We've lived in the Boston area for more than ten years and eat Chinese a few times a month. I thought I knew about Chinese food. Ha! I didn't know squat.
What's so great about the book is that it is an entertaining and well written romp into a world we are all familiar with, but until now nobody really knew that well.
Delightful, well-reported examination of an American phenomenon March 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
One thing is certain: if you read this book, your tips to your waiter or delivery man will rise. I've always considered the Chinese food industry to be a de facto public service of sorts and this wonderful work pretty much confirms my feelings. Long live General Tso!
 If you like American Chinese Food March 16, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Anyone who knows me that I love American Chinese food. I could eat it every meal every day for the rest of my life and be happy. Not the fish heads, and chicken feet, but give me General Tso's Chicken, Singapore Noodles, kung pao shrimp, etc., and I'm in heaven.
The author is an American Born child of Chinese immigrants, and she loves Chinese food too. She tells the history of Chinese restaurants in America (starting with the horrible glop Chop Suey), travels to China to find General Tso's descendants (who of course know nothing of his chicken), discovers that the fortune cookie was probably invented by the Japanese, has an entire chapter on why "Chinese is the Chosen Food of the Chosen People," examines the immigrant plight of the people who work in the back kitchen in your typical Chinese take out, and tries to find the best Chinese restaurant in the world (outside of China).
If you like Westernized Chinese food, like I do, it's a great and funny read.
And after finishing the book, I know what I'm having for dinner tonight, the General is calling my name!
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Fun and filled with trivia March 15, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Not only is this book fun to read and very well written, it will fill you with lots of stories to share with friends....over mongolian beef and steamed dumplings.
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