Preview
  • High on the Hog

  • A Culinary Journey from Africa to America
  • By: Jessica B. Harris
  • Narrated by: Jessica Harris
  • Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (236 ratings)

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High on the Hog

By: Jessica B. Harris
Narrated by: Jessica Harris
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Publisher's summary

Winner of the IACP Award for Culinary History.

Acclaimed cookbook author Jessica B. Harris weaves an utterly engaging history of African American cuisine, taking the listener on a harrowing journey from Africa across the Atlantic to America, and tracking the trials that the people and the food have undergone along the way. From chitlins and ham hocks to fried chicken and vegan soul, Harris celebrates the delicious and restorative foods of the African American experience and details how each came to form an important part of African American culture, history, and identity. Although the story of African cuisine in America begins with slavery, High on the Hog ultimately chronicles a thrilling history of triumph and survival. The work of a masterful storyteller and an acclaimed scholar, Jessica B. Harris's High on the Hog fills an important gap in our culinary history.

©2011 Jessica B. Harris (P)2013 Audible, Inc.
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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Editorial reviews

American cuisine has deep African roots. When we discuss American food, the troublesome history attached to these roots is only mentioned in brief. The focus tends to be on the end product, the delicious food that helps to distinguish American culture. In this book author Harris undertakes to trace the food from Africa across the Atlantic to America. She views slavery through the lens of native food. Food is proof of the voyage; it remains with its people, sustaining them as they endure en route to freedom. Along the way the food marries multiple worlds and is reborn in many delicious guises. Harris has a resonant, dignified voice. She relays with authority her profound understanding of how this cuisine evolved and what its survival means.

What listeners say about High on the Hog

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educational and enlightening

I learned so much about not only the history of African American food but of African zericans especially the slave trade.

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Good information

I enjoyed the book. Thank for sharing your journey. As long as I can remember food and family are the core of our family!

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A great history lesson

Thank you for assembling this incredible history lesson and a barometer for beginning to understand the origin, role, and continuing food apartheid.
wish the author had put in more effort to pronounce other non English words as she did the French ones.

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Excellent

Very Interesting story and i enjoyed the reader.
Might need to listen to it again.

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A MUST read!

This book is absolutely fantastic, and what an experience hearing it from Jessica B. Harris herself! She takes you on a journey through the history of black people in the US and, before that, Africa through food.

There are times I felt rage and grief. Yet others where I laughed and felt pride. She has laid the truth bare while ensuring the versatility, resilience, resourcefulness, and so much more of our people. An incredible book that I plan to return to.

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So glad I listened to the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Netflix series and listening to the book shed so much more information and charm. Ms. Harris’s writing is a delight and her voice is like a warm hug. This is definitely worth the time listening and more. It is a gift.

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Just wow…

Watching the a Netflix documentary led me
To buying the book. Unfortunately, with my work schedule, I hadn’t found the time to really sit and read it. I bought the audiobook so I could listen while I work and I’m glad I did. The documentary, while excellent, doesn’t even scratch the surface of what the book covers. The author doesn’t even sound like she’s reading. Rather, she sounds like she’s sitting in front of you telling you this very rich history. I’ll more than likely listen to this again since there’s so much to absorb. I can’t wait for the second season of the show on Netflix.

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An important story

Absolutely loved the important history of African -Americans as she wove it into the culinary story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

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5 Star Celebration!

We done, well said, and well received. Beautiful Book! As a cClinary Chef, I’ve learned a lot. And I think Jessica Harris for all of the research and information that she provided in this book and myself had after all the Chefs to pave the way and Our Culinary Journey!

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The more you know

Loved loved loved. I learned so much about the history of so many foods. Required reading for any foodie

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