About apples and their varities available are explained clearly.......

Short review: four stars because I love everything about this book except that it can get on a rambling tangent once in a while.

Long review: APPLES!!!!! I love apples!! I am eating an apple right now! I also love food history!! And this is basically the whole food history of apples!!!! What a book! I am in love! I have been truly romanced!!!!!

But seriously. Very well done book about the past, present, and potential future of apple production. Lots of food history tidbits in the first few chapters about the start of apple crops in America. These beginning chapters lead into chapters about the science and horticulture behind actually growing apples, crops, and harvesting, which eventually give way to several chapters about the business (and sociological/political aspects) of apple farming.

Awesome, awesome book. If you are passionate about the best fruit in the world, food history, the inside scoop on modern food production, or just want to read seasonal autumn books, check out "Good Apples" by Susan Futrell.

After reading Good Apples, I am at a loss as to why anyone would devote their lives to commercial apple production. Futrell details the many challenges faced by today's apple farmers: insect and fungal attacks , vagaries of the weather, fickle consumers, government red tape, ect. And yet, the farmers we meet in Good Apples are united by their passion for growing apples and their love of the land. These folks are willing to take great risks to provide fruit for consumers who are blissfully unaware of the challenges that must be overcome for apples to arrive at their local market. As the author points out, apple farming is not like growing vegetables or grains. Trees require years to develop, so apple production is an expensive, long-term commitment.
Futrell takes a middle of the road approach to the issue of chemical pesticides and antibiotics. She shows that consumers who expect perfect specimens without the use of chemicals at a reasonable price are being unrealistic. While acknowledging the dangers of indiscriminate pesticide use, she makes a compelling case for localized, limited spraying and antibiotic use to prevent widespread destruction of orchards by increasingly ravenous pests.
One of the most effective chapters is on the temporary workers who pick apples during the harvest season. This section shows how badly our immigration policies need to be updated. Growers struggle to find enough qualified workers to harvest their apples. The workers are not protected adequately from exploitation and the government enforces immigration laws unevenly.
This book is recommended for anyone who loves apples, is interested in the environmental impact of farming or who enjoys a story of underdogs succeeding against the odds.

Wonderfully written and easy to understand! Delicious ingredients and simple to make