Existential Bread (Jim Franks)

Jim Franks is a baker and a poet who’ s written a love story about bread, which is to say he’s written a life story about listening, learning, trying, failing, adapting, and above all, caring. Through humor, history, relentless curiosity, and refreshingly unsentimental poetry, Existential Bread teaches there are many ways to bake a loaf, just as there are many ways to live a life.

“EXISTENTIAL BREAD is a collected bakers’ common sense from Jim Franks, one of the most knowledgeable people about modern baking in the United States today.”  —Matt Kedzie, Owner-Baker, Starter Bread

"Part love letter, part philosophical manifesto, Jim Frank’s book is an earnest and charming exploration of our human relationship with bread and what it takes to make it." — Fiona Cook, Author, The Wheel of the Year

"In a world of samey-samey, this book is different. Jim Franks doesn't want you to make his bread (by providing glossy photos and detailed recipes); he wants you to make your bread (by sharing his practice and what he has learned). In a world of "shoulds" and "bottom lines", Existential Bread creates space while providing structure for you to fall in love with the ancient act of making bread. Plus, it's a very fun read.” — Abra Berens, Author, Ruffage, Grist & Pulp