A short history of herbs in North America. Entertaining folklore and anecdotes, focusing on 15 popular herbs. Published 1993. 26 recipes, 120 research notes, 37 pages. 5.5 x 8.5 inches. Soft cover, saddle-stitched. ISBN-10: 0-925117-68-4. ISBN-13: 978-0-925117-68-7. This is the Compact Edition (spineless booklet format) available at museum, historic site, and specialty bookseller venues.**
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A splendid little volume, Four Centuries of American Herbs by Patricia B. Mitchell contains descriptions of various herbs, recipes, lore, instructions for drying, quotable quotes, and extensive endnotes.
Sprinkled throughout the book are remarks written by famous people of different time periods. Shakespeare spoke of “… The sweet-marjoram of the sallet…”; Benjamin Franklin wrote about “… The Natures of Things”; Thomas Jefferson suggested, “Season your gravy very high”; and his granddaughter Mary Randolph gave instructions for “Common [Meat] Patties” enhanced with “… Salt, pepper, grated nutmeg… parsley and thyme….”
The Shaker religious sect was enthusiastic about herbs. Their Manifesto advised, “Cucumbers want herbs!” — You will want Four Centuries of American Herbs.
This Compact Edition of Four Centuries of American Herbs can be purchased as a Kindle eBook Edition (Ad*).
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