Episode 361 · June 19, 2018
361: Adam Federman on The Influence of Patience Gray
Digging up the story of a slow-food pioneer.
In this episode
Adam is a reporting fellow with the Investigative Fund at the Nation Institute covering energy and the environment. He has written for several publications including the Nation magazine, the Guardian, and Columbia Journalism Review. He is a former line cook, bread baker, and pastry chef.
Our Guest
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He has been a Russia Fulbright fellow, a Middlebury fellow in environmental journalism, and the recipient of a Polk grant for investigative reporting. Adam is the author of Fasting and Feasting: The Life of Visionary Food Writer Patience Gray, published through our friends at Chelsea Green.
It must have been one well-written obituary, because it stuck with Adam Federman and then after he found her book on his parents' shelves he wanted to know more about an almost forgotten culinary star. Ten years later and a treasure trove of writings uncovered, he released his biography of Patience Gray and brings her hidden history to light. Those who loved her book Honey From Weeds will love getting to know her better in Adam's book Fasting and Feasting. He shares his story of finding hers and leaves us hungry for more.
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- Being an investigative journalist and reporting on environmental issues
- Stumbling onto the story of Patience Gray and writing her biography
- Finding an obituary that described her book Honey from Weeds as “one of the best books that ever will be written about food”
- Getting access to her writings and realizing it was a treasure trove
- Working with Chelsea Green to publish the book
- Who is Patience Gray
- Some key elements of her life, including her interest in fungi and foraging
- How she was shaped by growing up in war time
- Her self-taught skills that helped her get things done
- The origination of the title of her book and of his too
- Why she was called the almost forgotten culinary star
- How he feels now that it is done
As well as
His failure – failure is an almost daily process for writers
His success – first his daughters, his family; then this book
His drive – social justice, and he loves to write
His advice – don’t listen too much to what other people tell you, carve your own path
Books written by Adam
Fasting and Feasting: The Life of Visionary Food Writer Patience Gray
Adam’s Book recommendations
Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life by Ruth Franklin
How to reach Adam
Website: adamfederman.com
UrbanFarm.org/adam
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