I really enjoyed reading this book. It was exactly what I expected it to be. The author has written a history and reviews of African American Cookbooks. Most of the books included are ones you will not find at your local book store. The author provides background on the authors and the book and reviews of the recipes. The book is arranged chronologically and the author also explores how African American cooking has evolved over the years. This is a book to be read and learn from. Enjoy

I loved this book! The narratives and recipes are top notch. I would recommend this to anyone who has an interest in history, cooking, and baking.

It is hard to equate the importance of this tome. It is a validation of the contributions of unheralded , seldom acknowledged leaders to the culinary field. Ms Tipton- Martin has worked the magic of research to uncover history through food pioneers of color. I read late into the night only to have twice the questions . It is an academic project and a love letter to lives well lived in service and innovation. Families of color all share the responsibility to keep a copy of this in the library, for that afternoon when the rain and cold have you staying inside and the smell of something delicious lingers.

A wonderfully deep dive into the early history of American Southern Cooking. More of a history book than a cookbook, it is well researched with an unique format.

This is a book that is full of history, wisdom, and, best of all, food. Toni Tipton-Martin takes readers on a journal through the history of African-American food. There are a few recipes sprinkled here and there, but the crux of the book lies in the history of the food. A great read!

I really enjoyed this book! It was very informative without being overwhelming. It made me want to dig more into food history.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Much more than a coffee table book, this book provides a unique illustrated history of two centuries of African American cuisine and of the broader culture in which each book came to be.

I did not finish this book. I was expecting this to be more of a recipe book of Jemima's best recipes throughout her life span, but sadly this was not. Worth a read if you are interested in the history of African-Americans contributions to cooking.
Thank you to Netgalley and University of Texas Press for and advanced copy for my honest review.

A must-have for anyone interested in American food history and culture and/or Black storytelling, The Jemima Code upends the pejorative Aunt Jemima stereotype and breathes new life into the work of generations of African American cooks. As a foodie who also collects cookbooks, my culinary and literary horizons expanded more deeply and broadly thanks to Tipton-Martin’s perspective and staggering amount of research. The cookbooks I treasure most are those that not only instruct but also enchant with their narratives, and The Jemima Code showcases more than 150 books that deliver beautifully on both fronts. I have joyfully added several vintage and out-of-print volumes introduced to me here to my personal library.

The wide array of books featured in The Jemima Code range from a pre-Civil War era house servant’s manual and a textbook on hotel management to a cookbook by the inimitable Pearl Bailey to more modern publications by veritable culinary celebrities like Edna Lewis and Leah Chase. My one critique is that the iconic Barbara Smith (B. Smith) is absent from its pages.

Tipton-Martin inspired me to go deeper into her subject matter and grow my cookbook collection, while simultaneously teaching me and taking me on a journey through almost two centuries of American history. As a coffee table book, The Jemima Code is artfully attractive and a thought-provoking conversation starter. As a companion to this compilation, I highly recommend another James Beard award-winner by Tipton-Martin, Jubilee, a collection of more than 100 recipes, many sourced from the books presented in The Jemima Code.

I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review – and loved it so much that I also purchased a physical copy for my own collection.

A wonderful culinary history of African American cooks and their cuisine from 1900 to 2011. This book does a great job of highlighting their expertise by collating and discussing their recipe books; which is an achievement in its own right (as I hadn't realised these books and this history existed). It's a real eye-opener as you move through USA social history, domestic servitude and the fight for Civil Rights, you can see the contribution made to American cuisine. I found the visual aspects, occasional recipes and critique of each book of real value. This books would work particularly well as a hard copy as there is so much to see and revisit.

Thank you SO much to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my review. And thank you so much more for alerting me that this book exists!

I have been cooking since I was about 2, I think my mom said. I have read cookbooks, watched cooking shows and swapped recipes most of my life. I don't exactly enjoy food, but I do enjoy the way it can bridge a gap and bring people together.

This book is beautiful. Not exactly a cookbook, but more of a history of food and the cooks of America. And as much as I'm grateful for being provided with a free e-copy of the book, I need a physical copy of this book in my hands as well as everything else Toni Tipton-Martin has created and gathered together.

A great and informative look behind the kitchen curtain into a cuisine that impacted American life since the beginning but never was given much attention. Until now.

The book reviews different recipes written by black people over the years. I have to agree, that sadly the voices of black chefs, cooks, and food writers are often shadowed by their white counterparts. This book shows you how much they've contributed to our food scenes- and how they also influence American cooking and baking today. I also enjoy the excerpts of recipes from the old cookbooks!

Although I was expecting more of a true "cookbook", I really enjoyed this! It gave great insight into the African American roots of cooking and the social aspects of the cuisine. This would make a great gift!

This book is not only about American culinary history, it's also about American history as a whole and how cultural cooking weaves itself into the fibers of society. It's also about the history of publishing, Black history and race relations. This book is a must read. I also appreciated how the book was structured. I am definitely buying a hardcover copy for my shelves.

I am so sad that I was not able to access this book, it did not work on any of the usual places I read my book. I will be looking out for it in the future and then I will update my review

The Jemima Code celebrates the forgotten and deliberately suppressed contributions of Black cooks in America, this despite the fact that majority of white households had Black cooks in their kitchens. Drawing from decade long research, Tipton-Martin catalogues cookbooks written by, Black cooks, alongside evocative descriptions and occasional glimpses of recipes. With charming titles - Mahaila Jackson Cooks soul / Vibration Cooking or The Travel Notes of a Geechee Girl / My Mother Cooked My Way through Harvard with These Creole Recipes - The Jemima Code is also an excellent socio-anthropological guide about Black written cookbooks, spanning the 19th century.

My computer would not open this download. It’s too bad it looked interesting to me. Hopefully one day it will be fixed.

Such an interesting book. I learned so much that was part of my family’s life from days long ago. So many truths that I could still see evident when growing up. My favorite Grandma time was helping her cook in the kitchen. Thank you for this book and for helping me understand the world my Grandma grew up in.

this book should not be sent out for review...at least my computer was unable to download it. hasn't happened with any other NetGalley books. if it gets fixed, I'd love to read it!