Appetite for America

Fred Harvey and the Business of Civilizing the Wild West - One Meal at a Time

By: Stephen Fried

Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross

Length: 18 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Appetite for America is the incredible real-life story of Fred Harvey - told in depth for the first time ever. As a young immigrant, Fred Harvey worked his way up from dishwasher to household name: He was Ray Kroc before McDonald's, J. Willard Marriott before Marriott Hotels, Howard Schultz before Starbucks. His eating houses and hotels along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad (including historic lodges still in use at the Grand Canyon) were patronized by princes, presidents, and countless ordinary travelers looking for the best cup of coffee in the country. Harvey's staff of carefully screened single young women - the celebrated Harvey Girls - were the country's first female workforce and became genuine Americana, even inspiring an MGM musical starring Judy Garland.

With the verve and passion of Fred Harvey himself, Stephen Fried tells the story of how this visionary built his business from a single lunch counter into a family empire whose marketing and innovations we still encounter in myriad ways. Inspiring, instructive, and hugely entertaining, Appetite for America is historical biography that is as richly rewarding as a slice of fresh apple pie - and every bit as satisfying.

©2010 Stephen Fried (P)2020 Tantor

The History of the West Through a Family's Eyes

I really enjoyed this book and have already recommended it to others. I'd never heard of Fred Harvey until a docent in a Santa Fe museum introduced me to him. Since I love railroad travel, have a background in hospitality, and was going to continue traveling in the Southwest, I decided to give it a listen. So glad I did! Really fascinating personal and family history, as well as a history of the settling of the West. It was a really interesting, well-written book.

About much more than Fred Harvey.

Iwas not sure I would find it interesting enough to finish, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is really about a lot more than just Fred Harvey. It is about the early Santa Fe railway, the early Grand Canyon, Mary Colter, the early days of commercial aviation, and much more. As a health-conscious vegan, I kept noticing as a lot of the Harvey family members died early of things like strokes, heart attacks and colon cancer, which I attribute mostly to their rich and unhealthy meat-centric diets. Smoking, alcohol and lack of exercise were also probably important contributing factors. I especially recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Southwest or an interest in the history of the railroads.

I loved listening to this fabulous story!

Such an interesting success story,! We desperately need this kind of nurture and motivation. Really a walk on the bright side of humanity. Don't deny yourself this pleasure read!

Terrible performance

The performers chirpy style and his weird inflections, not to mention pausing in mid-sentence makes what could be an interesting story almost unbearable to listen too. I was excited to find a book about Fred Harvey only to have it spoiled by a guy who should be reading either children’s books or hosting a children’s cartoon show. Why he was chosen to read this book I’ll never know.

Book stopped at Chapter 13

I liked the story but could never get it re-started. There really should be a way to ask for help.