What Einstein Kept Under His Hat

Secrets of Science in the Kitchen

By: Robert L. Wolke, Marlene Parrish

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 12 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Have you ever wondered why onions make us cry? Do you believe bananas contain more calories as they ripen and get sweeter? This sequel to the best-selling What Einstein Told His Cook continues Robert L. Wolke's investigations into the science behind our foods. In response to ongoing questions from readers of his nationally syndicated Washington Post column, "Food 101," Wolke debunks misconceptions with reliable, commonsense logic. And for exceptionally inquisitive cooks and scientists, he offers “Sidebar Science” features, which dig more deeply into the chemical processes that underlie food and cooking. Above all, What Einstein Kept Under His Hat provides indispensable information that will make listeners better shoppers, cooks, and eaters.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2005 Robert L. Wolke (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"All you have to do is ask 'why' and open to any page. Good luck putting it down." (Alton Brown, host of Good Eats)

An enjoyable look at science for non-scientists

If you could sum up What Einstein Kept Under His Hat in three words, what would they be?

understandable scientific concepts

What other book might you compare What Einstein Kept Under His Hat to and why?

Wolke's book about the science of cooking and food--basic,understandable, interesting facts and concepts about things I did not know

Any additional comments?

Enjoyed this book although there was some crossover with his book on cooking

Great Food Insight

If you could sum up What Einstein Kept Under His Hat in three words, what would they be?

This is the second book I have read by Robert Wolke, and though I liked Einstein in the Kitchen better, this one was still delightful and the facts that he presents are so interesting, even for a foodie like myself.

Disappointing

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The book continually refers to the PDF companion to the book. However, no PDF companion comes with this book. With the PDF companion, I would have given this 5 stars.

What did you like best about this story?

Fun facts, presented with humor and in layperson's language.

What about Sean Runnette’s performance did you like?

Expressive and easy to listen to. I will be looking for other books narrated by this reader.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from What Einstein Kept Under His Hat?

none

Any additional comments?

I considered getting the Kindle version but no PDF companion is mentioned in the Kindle description, and since that's the only thing I really want from it I don't care to spend the money.

Doesn't work well as an audiobook

What do you think your next listen will be?

The Complete Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

This book is full of science that is better seen visualized than in audio form. Also, despite the tongue-in-cheek style of writing, I found the overall subject matter to be a little pretentious. E.g., so what if what we call "melding" is not scientifically accurate. We all now what it means and will continue to use it accordingly. People change language - language is not dictate to people.

Any additional comments?

For a better (albeit pricier) source of cooking science, download the "Modernist Cuisine at Home" app on iOS.

Dull as Waiting for Water to Boil

While there are a few interesting things in this book and it is well read; it's pretty dull. I love science and particularly the science of household things, common stuff. But this is just too much kitchen chemistry. I believe this is a second volume? It feels like a lot of left over material or an attempt to find some more material after writing a successful book.

I just didn't like it. That doesn't mean you won't. It is, as stated above, well read. That goes a long way with audio books.

childish humour mixed with hardcore science

I really had to struggle to finish this book. Yes, there are a few interesting nuggets of information scattered throughout the text, but they are very few and far between.

Major flaws are:

Condescending and patronising style of writing
Pointless attempts at humour which added nothing to the book
Small sections of hardcore science, which presumably are there to prove that the author knows what he's talking about ... but to the layman is just tedious.

Another point to bare in mind is this book is extremely US centric. References are made to US brands and products which will most likely be meaningless to those not living in the states.
Furthermore, even though the author is obviously a dyed in the wool scientist, he still panders to the masses by using inexact measuring metrics such as spoons, cups etc.

There are a lot better books out there which explain how our food is cooked so leave this one where it is.

I wanted to like this book, but it grew annoying

What disappointed you about What Einstein Kept Under His Hat?

The snide remarks about people the author assumed were stupid.

Were the concepts of this book easy to follow, or were they too technical?

Easy to follow.

What three words best describe Sean Runnette’s voice?

Fine.

Any additional comments?

I really took issue with the constant jabs at folks the author deemed unintelligent or uneducated, and often he made statements that are outdated to untrue about the health benefits of certain foods.