Smokestack Lightning: Adventures in the Heart of Barbecue Country

Smokestack Lightning: Adventures in the Heart of Barbecue Country by Lolis Eric Elie is a vivid, deeply reported journey into the people, places, and traditions that define American barbecue. Blending travel writing, cultural history, and regional foodways, Elie traces the rituals, rivalries, and local legends that make barbecue such a powerful expression of place and identity, while Frank Stewart’s striking black-and-white photographs bring the story to life. Rich with storytelling, humor, and more than 50 regional recipes, this book is both a tribute to smoked meat culture and a landmark exploration of American culinary tradition. We also love Elie’s other work, Treme, for the way it captures the spirit, complexity, and cultural depth of New Orleans.