Wow, that is stomach churning stuff. I don't think I've ever been so put off just by reading a review of a book - morbid curiosity usually goads me into at least flipping through train wrecks such as these, but in this case I don't think I'll have any trouble making an exception.
Also, fucking Poland? Dude. DUDE. Do not fuck with Poland's WWII history. The Warsaw Uprising Museum in Warsaw is mind-blowing. http://www.warsawuprising.com/
I haven't read this book, but there was a far more positive review in the alt weekly where I live. Maybe the author of this book is a piece of shit -- but this review sounds like it was written by a person who was offended by the premise. As I understand it, this is meant to be a tongue-in-cheek, date-night cookbook for single men on a budget. To suggest that the author's war metaphor is a call to commit rape is really pretty absurd.
I haven't read this book, but there was a far more positive review in the alt weekly where I live. Maybe the author of this book is a piece of shit -- but this review sounds like it was written by a person who was offended by the premise. As I understand it, this is meant to be a tongue-in-cheek, date-night cookbook for single men on a budget. To suggest that the author's war metaphor is a call to commit rape is really pretty absurd.
Uh, why are you wasting my time reviewing a POS book? So I won't accidentally read it and find out it's a POS? Or is it so Ms. Lindy can waste my time reading the wonderful writings of Ms. Lindy? And what an easy, lazy topic to demonstrate the wonderfulness -- stupid men. Gosh I'm impressed.
Every man knows the cookbook that lands the chicks (excuse me; that lands the "hos") is Ted Nugent's Kill It and Grill It. Any other cookbook is for pantywaists.
And, actually, Poland fought like a sumbitch even in 1939, holding out for several months against not only Nazi Germany's entire army but the Red Army, too. Then lots of Poles escaped to England and flew for the RAF for the rest of the shooting match. I think a better analogy is probably France, unfortunately.
Lindy should write a cooking guide for ambitious lovers, I would read it.
Lindy, I think you need a Stranger "cook to bang" recipe test night. Everyone can taste dishes and judge on how horny it's getting them.
@7: Well, honestly? If you're on a budget, don't buy cookbooks. Waste of money on the whole when you can get perfectly good recipes online or borrow expensive ones from the library.
I'm sorry you found the idea insulting that young women have such a massive upper hand when it comes to sex with young men, and that those men are desperate enough to do ANYTHING for a moment of your companionship.
The whole book is obviously playing on a "joke" that men have understood for generations when it comes to the dynamics of dating- women are the selectors, for the most part in America, and female youth carries hugely more status and social currency than young males, who may be strapping but struggle immensely to complete with older, still fit and far more established/mature/socially higher men.
The mentality of this book is just a projection of that vulnerability and inequality we feel. Consider this- who is more likely to even think that cooking a great meal will make their date happier? The chauvinist pig or a more sensitive individual?
@7 had it right, but I'd go further: interpreting the war metaphor as a call to rape is beyond absurd, it's reprehensible. Any article (tongue-in-cheek or otherwise) that encourages readers to "RAPE THE SHIT OUT OF THAT SKANK" should not have made it past the editor's desk. Shame on you, The Stranger.
A) Lindy, you are totally awesome. I love your mix of over the top directness and subtlety. I would give you as much fettucine alfredo and riesling as you wanted, merely for the honor of your hot smarty presence and wit!
B) Does this writer seriously think Poland didn't fight during WW2, or is that just Lindy's skillful indirect insult (as if this guy's doucheyness wasn't enough)? Because anyone who's read Norman Davies knows Poland fought like crazy, from 39 to 44, and I'll cut anyone who thinks otherwise. Oh yeah, and America partially owes its existence to 18th-19th century Polish exiles. Thomas Jefferson and George Washington look like morally flacid wankers compared to Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Kazmierz Pulaski.
(Historical hobbyhorse rant over. Please return to your regularly scheduled comments, and forgive me for trying to look smart for Lindy. Part A was the most important part of this comment.)
@ 1, 2, and 10- Wow people, have a sense of humor! I am female and find much of the book to be highly amusing. Of course it's tongue-in-cheek, but it also offers some very good ideas, especially for those who don't know how to cook or are intimidated by the idea. I fail to see the problem in having a bit of fun with a subject like this, especially if it encourages more guys to cook for their dates!
God, lighten up! The book is CLEARLY meant in a fun, lighthearted way, to be enjoyed by people who really want to be fun and lighthearted about calling women easily manipulable sluts! Try and have a sense of humor, like those fine human beings do who somehow still need a cookbook to try and trick women into sleeping with them!
@11 "Uh, why are you wasting my time reviewing a POS book? So I won't accidentally read it and find out it's a POS? Or is it so Ms. Lindy can waste my time reading the wonderful writings of Ms. Lindy? And what an easy, lazy topic to demonstrate the wonderfulness -- stupid men. Gosh I'm impressed."
I had a lot more in mind to say, but fuck off, outrage addict.
The only thing that separates this review from your review of her review is that she's a better writer than you, and actually gets paid to snark. Your opinions are worthless.
What was so wrong with Win Her With Dinner: Food, Booze ∧ Tunes For Cooking Up The Perfect Evening (This book's premise is based on the simple truth that women like to see a guy put forth a little effort) that Cook to Bang needed to be published? WHWD had the bonus of kickass music suggestions.
I think the writer is a douche bag. BUT -- the first guy that ever cooked for me (home-made artichoke, roasted red pepper, and ricotta pizza) did get banged afterward. And I eventually married him. And yes, he still cooks.
Lindy, why did you review this book, let alone read it? It obviously is not aimed at you-- It's a book for the low-hanging fruit off the loser dude tree. You know, the guys who think Tarantino movies are too confusing & "arty."
@23: I think it's kind of tragic we have to be impressed with adults who clean up after themselves. If you can't make food, do your own laundry, and in general clear your own messes -- or refuse to because your mate can do it -- you are a dysfunctional human being.
From an interview with Mr. Walker on some blog:
"And not all of the publicity is kind. I just had a heart-to-heart email exchange with a Pacific Northwest-based weekly writer who trashed CTB and then not-so-politely declined my offer to cook for her when I’m in town for a book tour this fall. She’ll never learn what a unique snowflake of sensitivity I am. Nor shall she nibble my nosh."
Lindy, I think all of your audience would appreciate it if you printed these emails.
Don't all of you know that for every douche like walker there really is a skanky ho bag that will find his doucheness appealing and actually fuck him. Let's not call this guy offensive and then turn a blind eye to the hoards of women who's world spins around mtv and the E channel. Its a supply and demand world you know...
I don't understand. But I love a good-natured skank. I always found that cooking a really good breakfast in the morning after banging is the way to get more banging. Especially the strung out hipster skanks.
Cooking-to-bang works -- ask my boyfriend. But it has to come naturally; he just likes to cook. The author's tab a/slot b approach is douchey to the extreme.
@39: If you find a hoard of women over a certain value, you are required by law to report it to the government. You may only keep it if no museums or TV studios make a fair purchase offer.
Erm... isn't is possible he was saying "Be like Poland in WWII: never give up"? So his editor (or Lindy) missed a little comma that alters the interpretation of his sentence. Calm down already!
Also, fucking Poland? Dude. DUDE. Do not fuck with Poland's WWII history. The Warsaw Uprising Museum in Warsaw is mind-blowing.
http://www.warsawuprising.com/
What a dick!
Then again, it could probably be subtitled "A cookbook by a guy who's never BEEN banged".
Is his last name really Walker...or Wanker?
I used some of Spencer Walker's tips and banged a skank last night.
Lindy should write a cooking guide for ambitious lovers, I would read it.
@7: Well, honestly? If you're on a budget, don't buy cookbooks. Waste of money on the whole when you can get perfectly good recipes online or borrow expensive ones from the library.
The whole book is obviously playing on a "joke" that men have understood for generations when it comes to the dynamics of dating- women are the selectors, for the most part in America, and female youth carries hugely more status and social currency than young males, who may be strapping but struggle immensely to complete with older, still fit and far more established/mature/socially higher men.
The mentality of this book is just a projection of that vulnerability and inequality we feel. Consider this- who is more likely to even think that cooking a great meal will make their date happier? The chauvinist pig or a more sensitive individual?
A) Lindy, you are totally awesome. I love your mix of over the top directness and subtlety. I would give you as much fettucine alfredo and riesling as you wanted, merely for the honor of your hot smarty presence and wit!
B) Does this writer seriously think Poland didn't fight during WW2, or is that just Lindy's skillful indirect insult (as if this guy's doucheyness wasn't enough)? Because anyone who's read Norman Davies knows Poland fought like crazy, from 39 to 44, and I'll cut anyone who thinks otherwise. Oh yeah, and America partially owes its existence to 18th-19th century Polish exiles. Thomas Jefferson and George Washington look like morally flacid wankers compared to Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Kazmierz Pulaski.
(Historical hobbyhorse rant over. Please return to your regularly scheduled comments, and forgive me for trying to look smart for Lindy. Part A was the most important part of this comment.)
Congrats on finding an insincere, creepy sandwich-making "chef".
I had a lot more in mind to say, but fuck off, outrage addict.
The only thing that separates this review from your review of her review is that she's a better writer than you, and actually gets paid to snark. Your opinions are worthless.
Talk about shooting fish in a barrel.
http://www.menuism.com/blog/interview-sp…
http://www.menuism.com/blog/interview-sp…
It's irony wrapped around irony! Time goes 1/10th the speed!
Or maybe its just a book by a sleezebag written for sleezebags. They have a whole community.
"And not all of the publicity is kind. I just had a heart-to-heart email exchange with a Pacific Northwest-based weekly writer who trashed CTB and then not-so-politely declined my offer to cook for her when I’m in town for a book tour this fall. She’ll never learn what a unique snowflake of sensitivity I am. Nor shall she nibble my nosh."
Lindy, I think all of your audience would appreciate it if you printed these emails.
Also everyone white-knighting this piece of sexist trash needs to check their male privilege at the door. (p.s. no one "deserves" to get laid. Ever)
THAT'S NOT FUNNY
Slanderous poppycock! I took a feminist studies course in college."
I bet he also says: "I'm not racist! I have a black coworker!"
Which he did just to get laid.