Jell-O: A Biography

Carolyn Wyman follows Spam: A Biography with JELL-O: A Biography to honor the shimmering staple now in its second century. Invented in 1897 by Pearle Wait, the processed food was ahead of its time and immediately worked its sweet way into the hearts and stomachs of America. In war and peace, sickness and health, Jell-O was there. Jack Benny and Bill Cosby were both spokesmen for the products and a cut-up Jell-O box figured in the conviction of spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Chock full of history, lore and ephemera as well as recipes for main courses and desserts, ideas for crafts, and just plain silly stuff, this one little volume delivers, just as ""the dainty dessert"" has always done. (Nov.)