Victory Cookbook

Really more of a history book than recipes that would appeal to people today. The book was well written and organized with lots of photos and graphics. It gives great insight on the rationing and shortage of food during WWII in the UK. Despite the shortages and rationing, the daily diet was pretty healthy except for the low protein. Less meat, fat and sugar, more vegetables, grain and fish. I will use some of the ideas for ingredient substitutions in recipes. The cooks became very creative in “making do” with what they could get. Lots of lessons here on cooking healthy meals and not wasting food.

If you're looking for information about daily life on the home front during World War II, this book provides quite a few insights. Recipes, old ads and "food facts" are abundant, along with some reminiscences. What emerges is a picture of a stubborn people, resistant to change but determined, proud...and quite able to see it through. Looking at a nation's eating habits (and the habits the nation's government is trying to instill) is a fascinating way to learn more about the people, the time and the country.I've not purchased or owned any previous works by Marguerite Patten, but for those who have, please keep in mind that this is a compendium of three of her previously published books.For those interested in curating libraries, please also note that this book is printed along the same lines as the spirit throughout the pages. "Mend and make do to save buying new" is a well known popular adage from the time; the book is printed most economically on wide pages with no margins, the print is close, the paper quality is akin to that of a strong fax paper, and the binding is paperback. This economy in no way detracts from the book, but if you're looking for a high quality, coffee table grade book, this will disappoint.For those just looking to immerse yourself in the time or gain a glimpse of life in Britain during the war years through the medium of food, this is a wonderful resource!

Outstanding! So much information and so many wartime recipes packed in this book. I've read many of these type of books and this is the most informative. I have "Food Facts for the Kitchen Front", the one Ruth Mott used in her Wartime Kitchen and Garden series and thought it couldn't get any better. While I still love "Food Facts", "Victory Cookbook" has many more recipes and nostalgic photos .

I like cookbooks and I especially like ones that provide additional information about a specific time period or culture. The only thing that I disliked about this book was a racist, blackface cartoon. That is why I cannot give it more than 3 stars. I think I am being generous as it is.

What an interesting read! Even if you're not a cook, this book would be a nice compliment to any World War II buff I think. I've had more fun reading the non-recipe information in the book, the details on life in the war.I even went three weeks eating only out of this book using the ration guidelines as my shopping list for each week...and lost nearly 10 pounds in the process but never felt like I was eating less food (well other than meat and sugar). My pocketbook stayed a little fatter those weeks too!My favorites have to be the Bacon Turnover, a pocket style meal that's basically a bacon and leek hotpocket. Lord Woolton Pie-something I took to mean "time to clean out the veggie drawer" which was useful at the end of a week's worth of ration meals. And Rarebit, I tried 3 of the versions from this book and found one that we enjoy with a simple soup often.Again, not only is this a great cook book, but it's a good read and a wonderful way to peek into a way of life during a hard time.

If I could give it 10 stars I so would. I was consumed with reading this book for a week straight, I just couldn't put it down. If you're thinking that's a weird thing to say about a cookbook, well, that's because it's far more than just a collection of recipes. Within these pages you will find not only Marguerite Patten's personal account from those years, but a slew of other stories, historical information, pictures, and much more. It's like being transported back in time and, for once, really getting an idea of what those years on the home front were like.The Victory Cookbook is actually two of Patten's books put together in one volume. The first half of the book is actually "We'll Eat Again", her cookbook/history book about the actual war years. The second part is all about the Victory, victory feasts and menus, and after years of the war in which the rationing and difficulties persisted.Inside you'll discover tips and tricks people used to save energy, keep spirits up, and educate themselves and others. You'll see the advertisements and propaganda the Ministries used to keep people nourished, educated, and determined. She even goes into serious detail about the various points systems they used over the years and her own unique experiences working for the Ministry of Food.I highly recommend this book to everyone.

This is written by Marguerite Patten who worked for the Ministry of Food during the war. Allthough at an advanced age and I believe still alive she has given a very interesting account of how the food professionals worked to make 14 years of rationing palatable to the British people. They made do with extensive gardens, some even plowing up their well loved flowers and roses to grow food. Many substitutions were put forth and everyone learned to use things such as dried eggs.It is a testiment to the Brit character to see how they keet up their spirits through terrifying years of warfare and the seeming interminable post war rationing that didn't end until 1954. Many of these receipes can be used today and would be economical and healthy.

Since I have bought the book and used all the information in it. Being Type 2 Dietetic I thought I would give it a go. In 7 days I lost 8lbs and my sugar level is an average of 5.8 for the first time in 3 years. I have after 13 days have l8st a total of 10lbs. The book is amazinf and was recommended by my Dietetic Doctor and Nurse. I will continue with this forever. I muss some things, however you can eat without starving yourself. Vi have a goal of losing 56lbs and I am on course for the next 12 montjs to do so. Fantastic book.

I cook for a living, have studied food related subjects all my life, and consequently own far too many cookbooks both old and new. In the current economic climate, whether you are a student/newly married/elderly/experienced this is a marvellous book. How to cook good food, with minimum waste or fuss. Nothing too fancy and time consuming. Just every day sensible recipies and tips. One complaint- and its a big one- there is no index! If, like me, you don't have a lot of time to rifle through to find a specific recipie this can be a bit of a pain. I've put a little notebook alongside, on the shelf, and have written the page number of my favourites in it. If a new edition comes out with an index I'd probably buy it and pass my copy on. I bought a copy for my mum who is in her eighties and she read it from cover to cover because it brought back so many memories for her, so a great gift too. I'm currently teaching a son and daughter to cook and this book is perfect for the basics.

Got this for a VE Day cookery class in school not really what I was looking for, but did find it interesting.

This book is a goldmine of information and recipes. It takes you through the war years, rationing and post war changes and celebrations. Great to learn about the way things were and get some ideas for using seasonal, local food.

This book really shows what one can achieve with very little to have a healthy diet. Nowadays we take everything for granted. Freezers crammed with food that might get eaten.ready meals. Attractive all this maybe.but its not healthy .take heed of these old recipes. They knew how to be fighting fit