Sensible Dieting, and the Engel Vital Calorie Diets.
New York: Knopf, 1939.
Octavo, 408 pages. FIRST EDITION. An early diet book, containing what appears to be a surprisingly sensible approach to weight loss. In the foreword titled, "Accidentally, I Become the Father of a Hornets Nest of Fads," in which the author relates the story of Hollywood starlet desiring to lose forty pounds in four weeks. He asked her what she liked to eat and recommend that she eat it every meal, for four weeks. Her favorites happened to be pineapple and lamb chops, so when she lost the weight, she told other starlets that the secret was lamb chops and pineapple, thus starting a fad. Without the lamb chops, this might have been the forerunner of the Beverly Hills Diet. About half the book is dedicated to seasonal, daily menus, with calorie counts. Like many other Knopf books of this era, this one is designed by W.A. Dwiggins, and is handsome. A bit of foxing to the text block edges, otherwise near fine in publisher's black cloth with silver and blind stamped decoration. Lacking the dust jacket, but inscribed by the author to Dr. Leo Edelman of Mount Sinai Hospital.
Price: $150.00