Micro-histories (I'm not sure if this technically counts as one, but it would be weird to think of this differently than other micro-histories I love (Like "Salt")) are probably my favorite genre (along with place-biography, so unsurprisingly I loved this. It's actually impressive, though, because the kitchen is an enormous source of stress for me. I have executive dysfunction (thanks, ADHD!) and a computerized cooking task is actually one of the ways it is gauged by researchers. So, I was a little hesitant to pick this up just because of all the stress I have surrounding the kitchen (for real, it's a lot), but my love of domestic history won out. I must admit I shuffled hesitantly into the kitchen several times to check out what kinds of pots and pans and veg peeler and other gadgets we had. I even thought, hesitantly, maybe... I will... food process something??? sometime?? Just to watch it, after reading so many pages extolling the cruisinart's wonders (maybe it will even be less scary than I remember it being if I put on our house's new set of ear defenders (sensory issues, too, so loud machines definitely add to kitchen stress).

My friends who have reviewed this before me all complained of the abrupt topic changes, but to me that seems normal for the genre... but again, ADHD, so maybe I'm misremembering. It works well for my brain though, and this was an enjoyable overview of so many different aspects of kitchen/gadget history, and I do feel it brings an extra dimension of knowledge to my extant interest in domestic history. I only wish it had covered more countries! But she did include Chinese history in a few sections, and a few mentions of Middle Eastern cooking, which I have to say is more inclusive than these types of books usually are. But I was surprised that India, as such a major and popular cuisine, wasn't mentioned, almost at all!

I really enjoyed this. It was well written, interesting, and, although odd to say about a book, personable.

This was absolutely fascinating. I found the development of so much technology we take for granted really interesting.

Consider the Fork is interesting - historically, linguistically, and culinarily too. It made me appreciate the conveniences of a modern kitchen and even rethink some of them - wondering do I really need this or that?

I was captivated and I finished it quickly. I don't think it was a book that my thoughts will return to again and again, though, and it's not one I'll be recommending to friends right and left and buying as a present. It's a good book to check out from the library.

Side note: One especially memorable part of this book happened when the author refers to an expert with the last name "This," prompting me to wonder why the word "this" was capitalized so much and inserted into the wrong places so much in a book that was otherwise well-edited. My mistake. It was late.

This is one of the most intelligently-written books I've ever encountered. Bee Wilson does so many things just right, and avoids pitfalls that a less experienced but no less passionate writer would have stepped into. It was a impressive rumination on not just food history and all that entails, but on the history of technology and the usefulness of innovations.

The fascinating subject could have easily ballooned the page count. Gadgets and technology are endlessly talked about, especially in an age of overwhelming marketing and information. Ms. Wilson eschews the temptation to catalogue and memoirize her experience. Instead, she organizes it topically and focuses on communicating what she has learned.

But most of all, I appreciated Ms. Wilson's organization and efficiency. It belies lengthy and studious thought. And yet it still manages to be simple, pragmatic and inevitable. The stated conclusions came across to me not as arguments even, but more with the feeling of, "I can't believe I've never thought of it that way." Granted, I'm no food historian, but I've read enough in my life to discern when a writer is reaching for meaning. "Consider the Fork" effortlessly finds its niche without overstating or overwhelming with its immense context. It is content to say that cooking and eating are unavoidable and necessary human experiences. Then it boldly walks through how we have cooked and eaten, how it we presently cook and eat, and finally glimpses at how those activities may yet change.

Really enjoyed this - Wilson has a warm, engaging voice and the subject matter - the history of cooking tools - was very interesting. My only quibble is that the pen-and-ink illustrations are charming, but sparse. It would have been very helpful to have far more illustrations, because picturing the tools Wilson describes is challenging without them.

This was such an interesting look at common tools and utensils in the kitchen. I learned a lot about how food was prepared and served from medieval times all the way to the present day. Such a fun and educational book.

Fun, Fun, Fun!! I love cooking and I love history so this was a perfect fit.

Delightful and fascinating. Interesting to see how cultural differences relate to food relate to the tools we use to make food. Really like the reader on the Audio too.