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Candyfreak : A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America (an Alex Awards winner) (Alex Awards (Awards))
| Our Price |
$ 19.32
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| Retail Value |
$ 21.95 |
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$ 2.63 (12%) |
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| Item Number |
502242 |
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Item Description...
Overview
A self-proclaimed candy fanatic and lifelong chocoholic traces the history of some of the much-loved candies from his youth, describing the business practices and creative candy-making techniques of some of the small companies.
Publishers Description
Perhaps you remember the whipped splendor of the Choco-Lite, or the luscious Caravelle bar, or maybe the sublime and perfectly balanced Hershey's Cookies 'n Mint. The Marathon, an inimitable rope of caramel covered in chocolate. Oompahs. Bit-O-Choc. The Kit Kat Dark.
Steve Almond certainly does. In fact, he was so obsessed by the inexplicable disappearance of these bars—where'd they go?—that he embarked on a nationwide journey to uncover the truth about the candy business. There, he found an industry ruled by huge conglomerates, where the little guys, the last remaining link to the glorious boom years of the candy bar in America, struggle to survive.
Visiting the candy factories that produce the Twin Bing, the Idaho Spud, the Goo Goo Cluster, the Valomilk, and a dozen other quirky bars, Almond finds that the world of candy is no longer a sweet haven. Today's precious few regional candy makers mount daily battles against corporate greed, paranoia, and that good old American compulsion: crushing the little guy.
Part candy porn, part candy polemic, part social history, part confession, Candyfreak explores the role candy plays in our lives as both source of pleasure and escape from pain. By turns ecstatic, comic, and bittersweet, Candyfreak is the story of how Steve Almond grew up on candy—and how, for better and worse, candy has grown up, too. |
Item Specifications...
Pages 280
Dimensions: Length: 1" Width: 5.75" Height: 7"
Weight: 0.85 lbs.
Binding Hardcover
Release Date May 4, 2004
ISBN 1565124219
EAN 9781565124219
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Availability 1 units.
Availability accurate as of May 26, 2012 11:21.
Usually ships within one to two business days from Commerce GA.
Orders shipping to an address other than a confirmed Credit Card / Paypal Billing address may incur and additional processing delay.
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Reviews - What do our customers think?
 | Seems like the one star raters just don't get him.... Dec 24, 2008 |
| I agree with the review that said that the people leaving Steve one star must not have read the books description. Steve Almond is personally my favorite author and the book was just what it is described as: a personal look into the candy industry.He never claims that it's a history of the business or timeline of events. I loved it. It was very informative, dispite being all about his travels and experiences. | | | | Laugh out loud good! Jul 7, 2008 |
| As a fellow candyfreak, I have to give Mr. Almond credit for his hilarious descriptions of tours in the candy factories. He is not afraid to confess about his strong urges to eat the ingredients he encounters in his exploration of unique candy from some of the smaller companies still in business. Two thumbs up for this laugh-out-loud detailing of how these sweet treats are made. Loved it and would highly recommend. P.S. I do not know the author and he is not paying me for this either! | | | | Really makes you think about local companies! Jun 6, 2008 |
This book made me think very hard about local businesses vs. big national ones. I had no idea the world of candy bars was so controlled by huge companies, and that little companies can't even get a bar displayed in most stores. It's a sad thing to think of, especially when you read this book and get desperate to try a Valomilk or an Idaho Spud or the like.
I really enjoyed the style of writing Almond has also. He never hesitates to stray a bit from the topic and discuss his own life or thoughts, but not in such a way that it ever takes you too far from the main subject, just enough so you are craving to hear a little more about why he didn't seem to get along with his brothers or why his love life has been a disappointment so far!
The description of people and of places here is very well done also. I can picture each candy company owner and each semi-small city that Almond visits on his trip to vanishing candy worlds that composes much of the book.
I hope Steve Almond does a lot more writing. | | | | Don't drool over this ;-) May 10, 2008 |
| O.M.G!! This book is fantastic. I myself have a major sweet tooth and love love love chocolate. I stumbled across this book by accident and I'm so glad I did. I can't believe the writers name is Steve Almond. He has visited many many candy factories across the country and learned things about long forgotten candy brands and products. It's actually surprisingly interesting and really enjoyable, especially if you're also into chocolate and candy. Although I didn't grow up in America and so don't know many of these products, the fact that I enjoyed reading this just the same, is proof that it's a great read and should have appeal to anyone who loves sugar. | | | | Read with Caution! Jan 11, 2008 |
| Caution: This book resulted in a several pound gain caused by a Twin Bings, a few Idaho Spuds, and a box of Old Faithfuls (wonderful!). All in all, a very expensive and hazardous book! | | | Write your own review about Candyfreak : A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America (an Alex Awards winner) (Alex Awards (Awards))
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