After the Second World War, a newly affluent United States reached for its own gourmet culture, one at ease with the French international style of Escoffier, but also distinctly American. Enter James Beard, authority on cooking and eating, his larger-than-life presence and collection of whimsical bow ties were synonymous with the nation's food for decades, even after his death in 1985. In the first biography of Beard in twenty-five years, acclaimed writer John Birdsall argues that Beard's struggles as a closeted gay man directly influenced his creation of an American cuisine. Starting in the 1920s, Beard escaped loneliness and banishment by travelling abroad to places where people ate for pleasure, not utility, and found acceptance at home by crafting an American ethos of food likewise built on passion and delight. Informed by never-before-tapped correspondence and lush with details of a golden age of home cooking, The Man Who Ate Too Much is a commanding portrait of a towering figure who still represents the best in food.

Used as a step-by-step guide or as a personal manifesto for living large, "The Party Girl Cookbook" includes ideas for invitations, party favors, decorations, music, games, costumes, and more than 150 party recipes.

Move over, Martha No one knows how to party like a Wild Woman. She can bring home the bacon, fry it up, and entertain you all at the same time. Part how-to, part history, and 100 percent hilarious, Wild Women Throw a Party is the gift book of the season. Master chef and co-author of the wildly popular Wild Women in the Kitchen, Lynette Shirk has stirred up a best-selling batch of stories, anecdotes, historical facts, recipes, and favorite foods inspired by well-known Wild Women--from Dorothy Parker to Sarah Jessica Parker--and you are invited to a celebration of famed femmes and recipes for fun based on their stories. Let's party like it's 1929 with Jazz-Age babe Zelda Fitzgerald Highlights include Dorothy Parker's Cocktail Party, Silver Screen Queens' Oscar Night, Joan Crawford's Mother's Day "Mommy Dearest" Breakfast, and Mary Pickford's Picnic at Pickfair. And nothing beats Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. But you might want to try the Better Than a Spaghetti Western Pasta Pajama Party, in homage to Sophia Loren. Who knew that dangerous debutante Peggy Guggenheim, famous for her arty party salons, was also a gifted gourmet? Or that when Eleanor Roosevelt wasn't serving at soup kitchens, she was throwing and attending the most elegant "do's" around. From Dollywood to Hollywood, these dazzling dames and sassy sauciers know how to sling spaghetti, toss any salad, and dish up the desserts. * 110 original recipes by a master chef and bonafide Wild Woman. * Features 15 black-and-white photos of famous Wild Women and a fun, colorful design.

Liven up the party with this heady collection of drinking games! Choose from brain-boggling classics such as Fuzzy Duck and Twenty-One or dizzying games of pure chance like TV Drinking and Vodka Roulette - whichever you play, you're guaranteed to be gleeful and giggly by the end!

COCKTAILS features more than 150 of our best recipes-from classic drinks to contemporary craft cocktails-all from America's most innovative bartenders. A must-have collection for the home bartender, the book includes essential tips, tools, and techniques, plus 24 menu ideas for drinks and bites. Join the editors of FOOD & WINE as they showcase the art of mixing a proper cocktail and offering hospitality with the finest in food and drink. Cheers!